Big Brother

Big Brother is the ever-present figurehead and symbol of Oceania’s Ingsoc. The mousta- chioed man, who looks similar to Stalin, is worshipped as a God. He embodies the dualism of most tyrannical leaders, in that he is both loved by his people, and greatly feared at the same time. There is a distinct metaphysical quality to Big Brother as a character, because we never actually get to see him in real life, only in posters or propaganda. This is further emphasised with the frequent repetition of the statement “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” throughout the novel.