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Significance Of The Paperweight In 1984 By George Orwell

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Significance Of The Paperweight In 1984 By George Orwell
Orwell uses the symbol of the paperweight to supplement the anti-totalitarian theme. As Winston admires the inoperable and impractical objects scattered about Charrington’s prole shop, a taboo place for a party members, he becomes entertained with a glass paperweight, “there was a peculiar softness, as of rainwater… at the heart of it, magnified by the curved surface, there was a strange, pink, convoluted object…” (95). Charrington regards Winston’s appreciation for the beauty of the piece, enticing Winston further by adding, “that wasn’t made less than a hundred years ago. More, by the look of it… It’s a beautiful thing” (95). These quotes testify to Winston’s attraction to any vein of the world prior to the Party, as the totalitarian government in place removes all outlets of beauty and freeform thought.
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