THEMES

Major Theme

The major theme is the horror of totalitarianism. The entire novel paints a horrifying picture of what a fanatical, state- controlled society can do to the individual.

Minor Theme

The minor theme is that love overcomes the feelings of alienation and loneliness. Both Winston and Julia are at first depicted as lonely, isolated, and miserable, a state of existence that Big Brother encourages. When Julia and Winston fall in love, they are bound together as allies, and their alienation vanishes. The fact that the couple falls in love and makes love becomes a political act against the Party, and they are both punished as a result of their love. Big Brother, however, does not succeed in destroying Winston's feelings of love for Julia.

MOOD

The novel, since it paints a horrifying picture of the future, is extremely depressing. In fact, the depressing mood persists throughout the story. Even when there is a happy occasion, the reader knows that it is not going to last long. The novel ends on a sad and cynical note.

Another recurring mood in the story is that of nostalgia. Throughout the novel, the protagonist looks longingly into the past, when things were much better.

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