Telescreens

One of the most interesting inventions from George Orwell’s 1984 is that of a telescreen. A telescreen is first introduced as, “An oblong metal plaque like a dulled mirror which formed part of the surface of the right-hand wall. Winston turned a switch and the voice sank somewhat, though the words were still distinguishable” (2). I am of the (potentially unfounded) opinion that telescreens are a symbol of pure domination. In nearly every scene where Winston is feeling oppressed or watched, it is due to a telescreen. The Two Minute hate, “burst from the big telescreen” (11). When Winston is finally caught for thoughtcrime, it is by a telescreen, “The picture had fallen to the floor, uncovering the telescreen behind it” (222). Winston and Julia do not even attempt to run when the telescreen catches them. They are frozen in terror. In Winston’s description of his jail cell, he notices, “There were four telescreens, one in each wall” (225).

Telescreens are incredibly versatile objects. It is mentioned that they can pick up an irregular heartbeat and notice many irregularities. They also pass all of the new on to the people living in Oceania. They are such a prevalent object that at first I overlooked them and took them for granted as a part of society. In reality, the telescreen is one of the only physical differences between the world in 1984, and our reality. Telescreens literally are the portrayal of the socialist dictatorship that is Oceania. They keep everyone in line, and notice things such as thoughtcrimes, or thinking something that is not within Big Brother’s philosophy.

Telescreens embody the societal structure that is outlined in The Book. Goldstein outlines a way that the upper class can fall from power. Essentially he says that a government that is inefficient or loses faith in itselfs can collapse. He then goes on to argue that, “A ruling class which could guard against all of them would remain in power permanently” (207). The invention of the telescreen is the Party’s attempt at such domination. They have smothered out rebellion by not allowing individual thought.

In reality, it seems that telescreens are the physical embodiment of power. In one of his final dialogues with Winston, O’Brien claims that Oceania is built on the premise of obtaining power and holding on to it. It is never clear exactly who has power, but that is part of a socialist society. The Party holds all the power, and it is not given to any one person. The Party owns all of the telescreens, and they essentially use it to police themselves. In that sense, telescreens embody what is so hypocritical or confusing about the Oceanic society, the idea that a group mentality can morph without direct order or hierarchy.