1984, Journal 3

Cultural connections.

The novel 1984, by author George Orwell, was heavily influenced by World War II. Written in the 1940s, Orwell incorporated allusions to historical World War II figures. The name of the protagonist, Winston Smith, is an allusion to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who was in office during World War II. Churchill was an motivational man who  fought for his beliefs. Churchill knew the consequences were high for Britain near the end of the war, but he stuck to what he believed was right. These traits can be seen in Winston Smith as well. Winston knows the consequences of not staying loyal to the Party are deadly, but he follows his heart nonetheless.

Orwell also alludes to Soviet Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. The description of Big Brother, "the face of a man if about forty-five, with a heavy black mustache and ruggedly handsome features" (1) resembles Stalin almost exactly. Big Brother's slogan "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU" relates to Stalin as well. Stalin ruled a totalitarian government, which monitored the actions of its citizens closely. Lastly, Stalin's Great Purge is also illustrated through Big Brother. Hundreds of people were "vaporized" because the government deemed them as a threat, just as Stalin did in the Great Purge.

Another cultural connection I found was Big Brother's foil, Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein is an allusion to Leon Trotsky, Stalin's enemy. Trostsky strongly opposed Stalin and on numerous occasions, formed groups, or "brotherhoods" to take down Stalin. Goldstein strongly opposed Big Brother as well and formed the Brotherhood to take Big Brother out of power.