In this excerpt, George Orwell conveys a sense of romance that is intertwined with an underlying threat. He achieves this through the deliberate use of rhetorical devices and carefully chosen words. In the following analysis, I will focus on pages 135 and 136 to explore these aspects in more detail.
This scene takes place in May, on a warm summer day in nature, where Winston is picking flowers to give to Julia, the girl he likes.
Already in the first line, a precious, positive feeling is strengthended by the metaphor "(...) pools of gold (...)" (p. 135, l. 2). It thus becomes clear that nature is deified and presented as something special. The author wants to create a contrast between Winstons life in the city of London and the nature.
Furthermore, Owell creates a romantic atmosphere by using a metaphor "The air seemed to kiss oneˋs skin." (p.135, l. 4) and a personification "(...) in the heart of the wood (...)" (p. 135, l. 5-6). Here, it becomes clear what special meaning this place seems to have for both, Winston and the girl. The author creates, again, a contrast of the beautiful nature and the dusty London.
Moreover, a positive feeling of safety is created on several parts of the extract, including the negations "no telescreens" (l. 11-12), "not necessary to get your passport endorsed" (ll. 16), "no patrols had been appeared" (l. 20) and "made sure (...) that he was not being followed." (ll. 21). This word choice draws the readerˋs attention to the safety of the girl and the nature. The girl might be trustworthy and let Winston feel more comfortable.
In addition, the repitions of the bluebells (l. 11, l.18) conveys a romantic mood and fleeting beauty. Bluebells symbolise a rare moment of freedom, evoking a sense of peace and serenity in Winstonˋs mind. Like this, Owell emphazises the natural unspoiled world of Winstonś memory and the artificial, bleak opression of the Party. The repitions "bluebells" highlighs Winstonˋs craving for individuality and stronger connection to the girl.
Through the adverb "lightly" (l. 21), a sense of relief is created. It becomes clear that as Winston sees the girl, he immediately feels safe and interferior. The girl might be younger than him, but she can still take a leader position. The reader understands the significant meaning that the girl has to Winston.
Her leader position becomes clear another time, where the body of the girlˋs body is described through the adjective "slender". Winston gains self-confidence through the girl that is leading him, showing that the girl is more experienced than him.
Through sensory imagery, olfactory and auditory, "The faintly sickly scent", "a sound at his back froze him" (. 16) and "the unmistakable crackle of a foot on twigs." (l. 17), create suspense and tension. Winston still feels insecure and fears a Spie or a Party member is following him. By doing so, the author wants to convey the message that the "disloyal" citizens of Oceania always have to live in fear and do not have any freedom.
All in all, stylistic devices and the choice of words are used to convey the positive, romantic view between the girl and Winston and the fact that the girl might be superior to Winston even though she is younger.
Wie findet ihr diese Analyse? Ich bin wirklich nicht gut darin und versuche mich zu verbessern. Morgen ist meine Klausur.
Danke für jede Hilfe.
Viele Grüße
