Examples Of Foreshadowing In George Orwell's '1984'

Connection to Churchill?

Does Winston Smith’s name have any relation to that of Winston Churchill? Winston Churchill fought against the will of Adolf Hitler, providing hope to the people of Great Britain. Is Smith’s very common last name [very simple, no individuality/uniqueness] used to symbolize how though he is so ordinary, he is also entirely different because of his hatred towards the Party and Big Brother? It is also somewhat suggested by the author that Winston was born around the end of World War II; this being a time when Winston Churchill was considered the savior of Great Britain.

Foreshadowing.

No Darkness.

This phrase is a heavy moment of foreshadowing and can be found in the novel multiple times. Winston does indeed get here eventually

Clement’s Song.

Mentioned multiple times throughout the novel, the children’s rhyme about St. Clement’s church is an important moment of foreshadowing. It is symbolic in the way that Big Brother has wiped out the entire English culture; many try to remember the lines to the rhyme but fail to do so. It is also foreshadowing the the way that it is telling readers that Winston will meet his downfall. His walk through the Prole area shows his means of rebellion and continues him on a path of defeat.

Winston’s Dream.

There are two main examples of foreshadowing based on Winston’s dreams. His first is that of O’Brien mysteriously promising to meet him in the place where there is no darkness [Ministry of Love]. The second is that of seeing a rat in a dingy room, which foreshadows the final breakdown of Winston when he is brought to Room 101.

Irony.

Newspeak.

Many things about the Party and the society of Oceania can be considered ironic. Oceania’s official language is that of Newspeak, derived from the English language and has hundreds upon thousands of words altered or removed each day. While employing the concept of doublethink, the Party gives ironic names to the ministries to emphasize what they are; the Ministry of Truth spends each day altering the past, and the Ministry of Peace creates war and hazard. The Ministry of Love is a jail while the Ministry of Plenty is a lie; there is not much to go around at

The sash itself is rather ironic, as it represents anti-anything (sexual intercourse, rebellion, individuality) though Julia claims to love the act and has had sexual intercourse with many of the Party members.

Symbolism.

Church Picture/Glass Paperweight. The Party works to extenuate all evidence of the past in order to maintain control over that of Oceania; fortunately, some pieces of the past do remain. In Mr. Charrington’s shop, the old and useless paperweight fascinates Winston, who buys it as an attempt to reconnect with that of the past. The useless paperweight and the picture of St. Clement’s Church symbolizes this need; however, when the Thought-Police come to arrest the two lovers, the paperweight is laying on the ground shattered, symbolizing the shattering of any chance to recover the past.

Telescreens.

Throughout the novel, the Party abuses their ability to view and hear anything and everything going on. These telescreens and hidden microphones are a symbol of constant monitoring as well as a symbol of the abuse of technology to further control than improve the lives of the