Essay
1984 - Motif: Colour
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Book: 1984 by George Orwell Mini essay on the motif of colour in 1984 Grade: A*
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Lauren BarlowHow does Orwell use the motif of colour to help create a
dystopian society in ‘1984’?
In ‘1984’ Orwell uses the motif of colour to present both the physical and emotional
lifelessness of Oceania; he uses colour to symbolise the Party’s social oppression. Orwell
uses four main colours to portray elements of fear and oppression (black, red, white and
grey) through the description of INGSOC propaganda, the Victory Mansions and
Ministries, weather and authoritarian uniforms.
At the beginning of the novel Orwell uses the bleakness of Winston’s external
surroundings to reflect on the internal rigidity of emotion and community in Oceania. The
reader is initially affronted with the fact that is it “a bright cold day in April”; the word
placement of “bright” and “cold” next to each other emphasises the harshness and
abjectness of the state. The word “cold” draws correlations with the colour grey which is
symbolic of despair and loneliness; a theme Orwell uses continually to construct a
dystopian society. Furthermore, Airstrip One is described as having “no colour in anything
except the posters” which is indicative of the Party’s oppression. This suggests that the
Party do not want their citizens to find any life or hope in anything other than Big Brother.
The Party and their belligerent members anthropomorphise the symbol of Big Brother as a
forum of reliance and aspiration as a means to control the state and everything around it;
this is emblematic of dystopia.
Moreover, Orwell uses the recurring motif of the colour black to symbolise oppression,
invoke fear and foreshadow death. This is portrayed throughout the novel, particularly in
the image of Big Brother - “heavy black moustache”. The phrase “heavy black” is an
amplification of the dictatorial regime the citizens of Oceania are subjected to and how
suffocating it is. In this case, Orwell uses the colour black to highlight the overwhelming
power Big Brother and the Party have. The colour black is often associated with danger
and death, however Orwell manipulates this association to the benefit of the INGSOC
dynasty- if you conform to the totalitarian regime of the Party you will not physically meet
your death but your soul will be overcome with darkness, as the Party will snuff out any
hope of diversity and individuality. The idea of oppression and invoking fear is reinforced
with the way figures of authority are portrayed as being “gorilla faced guards in black
uniforms”. It is significant that Orwell decided to dress the guards in “black uniforms” as
that is what Hitler had the SS (his elite force) wear while enforcing his acts of subjugation
and totalitarianism. As ‘1984’ was written not too long after the downfall of Nazism, there is
strong historical prevalence to the uniform and Orwell using this to construct his dystopian
society.
In addition, Orwell uses white in conjunction with objects of Winston’s rebellion and to
manipulate religious ideals. Winston presents the Ministry of Truth as being a “pyramidal
structure of glittering white concrete” insinuating it is a place of pinnacle importance to the
Party’s enforcement. The fact that the Ministry is in a shape of a pyramid is significant as
the Egyptians used this structure to bury the dead and as worship to the gods. This links in
with the concept of Big Brother, as he is seen as a figure of divinity to the Party and the
Ministries are used as a place to conduct his ideals and worship his beliefs. Furthermore,
the fact that Orwell has described the pyramid as being “white” suggests that this is
heavenly and pure place. This is ironic as the acts committed inside the Ministries are
deceitful and atrocious which is the opposite to the external structure. By doing this Orwell
allows the reader to acknowledge that the Party portrays itself as being for the good
however they have contemptible ulterior motives. Withal, the word “concrete” is a symbol
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