George Orwell’s semi-dystopian tale 1984 tells the story of a totalitarian government that dehumanizes its citizens, preventing them from thinking for themselves. Winston Smith is a member the Outer Party in the ranking system of his society. He struggles against the Party as an entire and Big Brother. Big Brother represents many things in 1984. He is the Party’s leader, the Thought Police of Oceania, the ever-lasting conflict, and his vague leadership. George Orwell makes the point that Big Brother has a lot of power and is watching you.

Big Brother plays a significant role in Winston’s daily life from the very start of 1984. In the beginning of 1984, Winston is not fond of Big Brother or his ambiguity. He knows Big Brother is immortal, but has no idea if he exists or not. George Orwell makes the point that Oceania is a country whose ruler has never been known to anyone in the world. Because of this, Oceania’s free-willed citizens who commit thoughtcrime—the only crime there is—question Big Brother and his actions. Winston wonders if the Party’s obsession with being right is the reason they erase their past when wrong. Oceania citizens fear Big Brother because he is more than their leader. He is the terror of going against the grain. He is afraid to think. He is fearful of the thought process. Winston is made aware of his crime after Big Brother’s introduction. In response, Winston begins to make reckless decisions and has an affair. Orwell shows us that Julia influences Winston’s decisions and causes him to think. One of those decisions is to attempt a’rebellion’ against Big Brother, also known as Brotherhood. O’Brien, a member of the Inner Party, confronts Winston. He invites Winston into his home, implying that he is aware of Winston’s thoughtcrimes. Winston interrogates Julia and O’Brien, who are both members of the rumored Brotherhood. O’Brien gives Winston a briefcase containing a copy of Emmanuel Goldstein’s book, which all members of the Brotherhood are required to read.

George Orwell reveals that Winston, Julia and their friends have rebelled far enough by now to hate Big Brother. Orwell tells us that Winston and Julia are aware of the fact that they may be caught one day for their crimes, and will then be erased from the history books. So they do everything they can to avoid being caught by Big Brother.

Winston found out that O’Brien had set up the Brotherhood, as well as Mr. Charrington. The latter gained Winston’s trust through the sale of antiques from eras the Party has erased. Mr. Charrington revealed himself to be a thought police member and took Julia and Winston away for their affair, as well as the belief that a Brotherhood-like organization could exist. Big Brother watched them through O’Brien, Charrington, and a hidden screen in Mr.charrington’s business. Nevertheless, Big Brother’s presence was not important, because they were still criminals. Fear of Big Brother wasn’t enough to keep them on their guard. Orwell made a point that Big Brother is more than just an unnamed political figure. Big Brother is the Party, Thought Police, and also the unspoken or unwritten laws of Oceania.

O’Brien tortures Winston and makes him answer questions to gain his trust. O’Brien brainwashes Winston into believing that 2+2=5 is true and that freedom equals slavery. But he realizes that Winston has still resisted Big Brother despite weeks of brainwashing. O’Brien told Winston that he wouldn’t die if he hated Big Brother. Orwell tells us that Winston is taken into room 101 where “the worst thing” is supposedly hidden. O’Brien then explains that everyone has a different worst thing. For Winston, however, it was the rats. The rats made him betray Julia, the only thing he truly loved. Winston fell in love with Big Brother after he had betrayed her and let her leave. Winston finally received the bullet to his head that he desired and loved Big Brother. Orwell’s explanation of Big Brother with Winston changed as the story progressed. Winston began to view Big Brother as an ominous figure that was always on the watch and was to be despised for his existence. However, after a powerful brainwashing campaign, Winston saw Big Brother in the way he had intended. Big Brother transformed from a looming figure to a leader and protector who helped Oceania win a long-running war.

George Orwell’s Oceania uses its main political character as a metaphor for the government, the police, and the reason why the world is run by compliance. Winston learns from Big Brother that “WAR is PEACE”, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength. Oceania won’t be truly happy with Big Brother but Oceania would crumble without him.