Technique list for 1984
Overarching literary devices
Techniques:
Allegory - the criticisms of totalitarianism (specifically Soviet Russia) and war behind the story of the
Party and Oceania
Allusion - Ingsoc as a reference to English Socialism, Big Brother as a reference to Stalin, Goldstein as
a reference to Trotsky
Ambiguity - the death of Winston, interpretable as metaphorical in terms of his identity or physical in
terms of an execution
Atmosphere - the manipulation of Oceania altering the mood of different settings; serenity in
Winston’s prole hideout, control in Two Minutes Hate, fear in Ministry of Love/Room 101
Characterisation - Winston as a fragile, knowledgeable and rebellious individual, O’Brien’s charisma,
charm and independence
Context – research what was happening at the time of the novel’s publication – Stalin, Hitler, Spanish
Civil War, Totalitarianism, Politics and the English Language – These key terms should get you started.
Foreshadowing - Winston predicting Syme’s ‘vaporisation’, Winston’s fascination with the prisoners
before his torture
Imagery - see quotes throughout the novel that conjure visual images
Irony - the manipulation of truth becoming the truth in literature
Juxtaposition - The Inner/Outer Party and the proles, characterisation of Winston and O’Brien,
descriptions of capitalism and Ingsoc, Winston’s rebellion and the prole woman
Motifs - Information control, Identity/Individuality, Loyalty
Paradox - Party Slogan; 'War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.'
Narrative perspective - 3rd person limited narrator; enhancing the sense of oppression Winston
endures
Setting - London in futuristic 1984; links to urban decay/neglect, environmental damage and
superpower rules related to the aftermath of WWII
Symbolism - Big Brother as totalitarianism and surveillance, Glass Paperweight as the past and fragility
of human relationships, Prole woman as fertility and strength of the lower classes