If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
Does Big Brother exist?" "Of course he exists. The Party exists. Big Brother is the embodiment of the Party." "Does he exist in the same way as I exist?" "You do not exist.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the nature of existence and reality as viewed by the Party in Orwell's dystopian society.
This quote from George Orwell highlights the theme of totalitarianism in his work '1984', where the concept of Big Brother symbolizes the omnipresent governmental authority that controls the lives of individuals. The conversation implies that the Party's reality is constructed in such a way that individual existence is denied, making personal truth subordinate to state ideology, emphasizing the fragility of personal identity in the face of oppressive power.
Themes
ExistenceBig BrotherPartyTotalitarianismIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about surveillance and privacy during a debate on government power.
More from George Orwell
All quotes βThe creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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