How does Orwell use juxtaposition throughout 1984, and what effect does this have on the reader?

The primary use of juxtaposition in 1984 is the near-constant juxtaposition of truth and reality, versus deception and lies, especially through wordplay and appearances. The Ministry of Love's violent torture of Winston near the end of the book strikes a sharp contrast to what the reader might associate with the word 'love'. The Ministry of Peace, despite its name, is constantly at war. This brings the reader to question the integrity in the presentation of language, calling into question the relationship between a word's supposedly integral meaning and how it can be manipulated within certain wider social contexts, such within a dictatorship. Orwell's juxtaposition has the effect of making the reader question the use of the language around them and the purpose to which it is used, which could lead the reader to become more aware of how language is manipulated for certain ends by individuals and groups, similar to how people within 1984 are manipulated by the Party.

Answered by Sian R. English tutor

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