That Shoe is to Die For

(1984, George Orwell)

Literary Term: Verbal Irony

" (talking of his daughter) said she'd never seen anyone wearing shoes like that before. so the chances were he was a foreigner. Pretty smart for a nipper of seven, eh? "What happened to the man?" asked Winston" (page 57).

This simple quote offers the irony of most situations of this book; the citizens are so comfortable with the violence and wrong that other details take focus of stories rather than gore and moral wrong. Children are twisted beings, begging to go to hangings and lacking all respect for adults, even parents. The fact that "children heroes" lead to the deaths of thousands of people is so wrong, but through the brainwash of the Party through things like the Two Minute Hate and telescreens, the people have come to except it. As Winston begins really analysing his actions and the motives of the society, he realises the wrong of the Party. This example of verbal irony demonstrates the shift of Winston's focus from being a hopeless follower to a independent and moral being. This transformation is further displayed in the following quote:

"Had food always tasted like this? He looked around the canteen. A low-ceiling crowded room, its walls grimy from the contact of innumerable bodies..." (page 59).

Many of the other citizens would revolt the teachings of the Party, if they simply looked into the principles they followed. However, such knowledge impossible with the genius actions of Big Brother and the functioning Party.