Big Brother

Big Brother.  Although he actually never appeared in the novel, he's very important. Big Brother was the perceived ruler of Oceania.  All around their communities was enormous posters with the saying “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU." This phrase is the “truth” according to the government of the propaganda that the Party promotes. The name “Big Brother” has come into common use to describe a prying and over controlling figure.  Everywhere Winston went, especially on the telescreens, Big Brother's image was there. It haunted Winston and many others because of their secret hatred for Big Brother and the Party. In this totalitarian state, everyone is under surveillance by the authorities. Whether they agree or disagree with what the Party decides, they have to keep it to themselves. The author George Orwell got the idea of Big Brother from advertising billboards. It was for educational correspondence courses from a company called Bennett’s. The time era was during World War II. George Orwell also was inspired by Lord Kitchener. He was involved in British military recruitment in World War II.  In the novel, it wasn't clear enough if Big Brother was truly a character or not. In the Party’s propaganda, Big Brother was a real person. Later on in the story when Winston was arrested, O’Brien, the interrogator, said that Big Brother is a figure that will never die. When the question appears about Big Brother really existing, O’Brien says he’s the "embodiment of the Party." He also says that Big Brother will exist as long as the Party exists.