Object-Oriented Narratives in 1984: A Study of Materiality, Power, and Personal Freedom

Abstract

George Orwell's 1984, as a classic dystopian novel, portrays the totalitarian society and the erosion of individual freedom through political oppression. In 1984, objects are not merely tools of daily life; they serve as central elements through which the totalitarian regime controls and shapes social order. This paper utilizes Bill Brown's Thing-Narrative Theory to analyze the symbolic and functional roles of objects in 1984. By examining objects such as the television screen, tools of the Thought Police, and Big Brother's portrait, this paper explores how objects act as symbols of power and tools for social control, and how their proliferation and collectivization influence individual freedom and social relations. Additionally, the paper examines how objects function as symbols of resistance in the characters' struggles, particularly in the cases of Winston and Julia, and how objects act as emotional bonds and mediums for rebellion. Through the lens of Object-Oriented Ontology, this paper reconsiders the interaction between objects and the totalitarian society in 1984, revealing how objects play a crucial role in suppressing freedom and shaping social order.