Symbols

George Orwell novel 1984 contains symbols and images throughout the novel. Although symbols such as rats, the coral paperweight, songs, and Winston’s varicose ulcer only appear infrequently, they do provide important functions.

Winston had a reoccurring dream which found himself standing in front of a wall of darkness of which on the other side there was something to dreadful to face. He always woke up prior to finding out what was on the other side. After awaking during one of Winston and Julia’s rendezvous in the rented room above Mr. Charrington’s shop, Julia noticed a rat. Sowing his fear Winston shrieked. Julia trying to calm Winston, she grabbed a shoe and threw it towards the rat which was peeking out of the
It signifies Winston’s state of health and happiness. Winston is a very unhappy person until he meets Julia. The book begins describing Winston’s troubles with the ulcer and the unhappy Winston appears troubled with the dominance and control of Big Brother. It again begins to itch when the telescreen request morning exercise requirement of the Physical Jerk (pg. 34). Winston is again is found scratching his ulcer when he is apparently irritated by the continued reinforcement on how wonderful and plentiful things are governed by Big Brother as broadcast on the telescreen day and night (pg. 77). During Winston affair with Julia, Winston appears to be healthy and it is clearly documented that Winston is happiest. Coincidently this is when Winston dropped the habit of drinking gin at all hours, he grew fatter, and his varicose ulcer had essentially disappeared (pg. 157). We never heard of the varicose ulcer again during these happier and healthier times. However, after Winston and Julia are caught by the Thought Police, they are separated and sent to the Ministry of Truth. Here Winston is separated from Julia and place in what Winston believes in the basement. Here Winston is tortured mentally and physically until submission. During his time there Winston, Winston’s health deteriorated and the varicose ulcer became inflamed and flakes of skin began peeling off (pg. 284).

George Orwell’s novel contains an abundance of symbols of