In the book 1984, by George Orwell, there are many examples of symbolism.
The book contains many examples from start to finish. George Orwell wrote this book .
during the late 40's as his idea of what he thought the world was going to turn out to be .
like in the year 1984. He used these symbolic elements to help get his point across and to .
help his readers better understand his views. Three examples of these symbolic elements .
are the glass paperweight, the picture of the church, and the room above Mr. .
Charrington's shop. .
One of the greatest forms of symbolism in this book is the glass paperweight .
which Winston acquires from Mr. Charrington's shop. This one piece symbolizes the past .
and Winston and Julia's freedom under the rule of Big Brother. The room symbolizes the .
past for many reasons. The room is located above an antique shop in the prole district. .
"There was a strip of carpet on the floor, a picture or two on the walls, and a deep, .
slatternly armchair drawn up to the fireplace. An old-fashioned glass clock with a twelve-.
hour face was ticking away on the mantelpiece. Under the window, and occupying nearly .
a quarter of the room, was an enormous bed with a mattress still on it."(Orwell 81).
Winston soon realizes that there is no telescreen in the room. ""There's no telescreen!" he .
could not help murmuring. "Ah," said the old man, "I never had one of those things. Too .
expensive. And I never seemed to feel the need of it, somehow"" (82). The room as a .
whole represents the past due to its decoration, the twelve our clock, and the fact that .
there is no telescreen. This room also represents the freedom that Winston and Julia have .
when they are in it.
The glass paperweight that Winston buys from Mr. Charrington's is also a very .
symbolic piece in this book. The paperweight is bought the same day that Winston is .
shown the room without the telescreen. "It was a heavy lump of glass, curved on one .
side, and flat on the other, making a hemisphere.