In "1984," what is the name of the omnipresent government figure who represents oppressive surveillance?

Prepare for the Praxis Literary Texts and Authors Exam using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations. Ace your test!

In "1984," Big Brother is the figure that embodies the oppressive surveillance state of the totalitarian regime. His image is omnipresent throughout the society depicted in the novel, symbolizing the authoritarian control the government exerts over individuals' lives. The slogan "Big Brother is watching you" serves as a constant reminder of the government's surveillance and the loss of personal privacy.

Big Brother acts as a powerful symbol of fear and manipulation, reinforcing the Party’s authority and the ideology of complete subservience. Though other characters, like Winston Smith and Emmanuel Goldstein, play significant roles in the narrative—Winston as the protagonist and Goldstein as a supposed enemy of the state—neither represents the overarching theme of surveillance as directly and powerfully as Big Brother does. The Party, while being the ruling entity, is less an individual figure and more an abstraction of collective governance and oppression. Thus, Big Brother is the correct choice as he epitomizes the regime's ability to watch and control its citizens completely.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy