To Orwell Today,
Jackie,
No one better to ask then you. I want to get a 1984 tattoo with the "war is peace, freedom, ignorance etc". Have you come across any images or do you have any good ideas as to what you think? I've tried looking through the web and haven't seen anything particularly convincing. I was thinking maybe the face of who would be winston's face while he was in room 101 with the shadows of the party slogan repeated across it. Any suggestions would help.
Thank you,
Brandon Smith
Orange County, CA
Greetings Brandon,
Your idea sounds very good. For Winston you could use a photo of Orwell because, in reality, Orwell is Winston. The face could be just etched, or faint perhaps, with the three slogans overshadowing it. It wouldn't have to be Winston in Room 101 because that image is just too depressing.
But if you don't use the backdrop of Winston's face for the slogans, you could choose from one of the examples Orwell uses. Here's the passage where Winston first discusses the slogans:
"He took a twenty-five cent piece out of his pocket.
There, in tiny clear lettering, the slogans were inscribed:
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
and on the other face of the coin:
the head of BIG BROTHER
Even from the coin the eyes pursued you.
On coins, on stamps, on covers of books, on banners, on posters,
and on the wrappings of a cigarette packet - everywhere.
Always the eyes watching you and the voice enveloping you."
The picture of Orwell at the top of the page is one that you could perhaps use as a model for the tattoo, if you choose to go that route. It's on the cover of Michael Shelden's 1991 biography "Orwell".
All the best,
Jackie Jura
1.Winston's Diary and 2.Big Brother
Jackie Jura
~ an independent researcher monitoring local, national and international events ~
website: www.orwelltoday.com & email: orwelltoday@orwelltoday.com
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