An Extract from 1984

693 Words3 Pages
In this extract from the novel “1984” by George Orwell, it contains repetition, foreshadowing, imagery, word choice, imperative language and contrast in order to create a dramatic scene for Winston’s and Julia’s “crime”. First of all, the extract starts with a repetition “‘We are the dead,’ he said. ‘We are the dead,’ echoed Julia dutifully. ‘You are the dead,’ said an iron voice behind them.”. This repetition creates tense atmosphere and reader gets nervous and anxious about what is going to happen next. Moreover, the extract continues with several repetitions in order to sustain its tense and distressed atmosphere; “‘It was behind the picture,’ breathed Julia. ‘It was behind the picture,’ said the voice.” “‘The house is surrounded,’ said Winston. ‘The house is surrounded,’ said the voice.” Secondly, the writer/narrator uses imagery; “They sprang apart. Winston’s entrails seemed to have turned into ice. He could see the white all-round the irises of Julia’s eyes. Her face had turned a milky yellow. The smear of rouge that was still on each cheekbone stood out sharply, almost as though unconnected with the skin beneath.”. This imagery gives exhaustive details about Winston’s and Julia’s condition. Especially, in here the word choice is outstanding; “turned into ice, the white all-round the irises of Julia’s eyes, milky yellow, cheekbone stood out sharply, unconnected with the skin beneath”. These words give a clue for readers to understand how badly they are troubled and also it reinforces the dramatic scene’s expression. Thirdly, the imperative language is significant in this extract. Especially, the reader can see it in the telecreen’s iron voice; “‘Remain exactly where you are. Make no movement until you are ordered.’ ‘Stand out in the middle of the room. Stand back to back. Clasp your hands behind your heads. Do not touch one another.’”. In these quotes,
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