The History of Big Brother
Big Brother is probably only in your head if you’ve ever watched the British version of The Office or greeted someone in an office dressed in a safety pin before doing your work. If so, you’re probably aware that the phrase “Big Brother is watching you” is associated with this show. People from all walks of life have used the expression “Big Brother” at one point or another throughout their lives. The phrase has even made it into the dictionary. So, what exactly is Big Brother?
Big Brother is a fictional character and icon in George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-four. He’s purportedly the ruler of Oceania, which is ruled by a fascistic party called the Party of the Three. The novel’s premise is that Big Brother will turn all of humanity into clones and that the Party must control the populace using fear, propaganda, and control of the media.
The premise is similar to the theories of communism, which is why the phrase “All of Europe is ours” is often quoted throughout the novel. However, Big Brother is different because he doesn’t use a club of any kind to enforce his will over the population; he uses his persuasion power.
Throughout history, many individuals have become frightened by a superior leader. Big Brother and Caesar’s difference is that Big Brother has no weapon of any kind and basically can’t be harmed by bullets. In contrast, Caesar is a much more dangerous man. In the book, Caesar is murdered by his people for turning against Rome.
Where’s Big Brother anyway? He resides in a large castle in the United Kingdom. His powers are so great that no one can see him. When the British MP and satirist Rob Reboire try to ask him a question about where the Lord God of the Christian faith resides, Big Brother appears from behind the bushes and strikes Reboire with his ray gun. Reboire is killed, and later on, the book is told that Big Brother lives among Britain’s people. Who’s this mysterious man?
The book is written in the first person. It’s narrated by George C Scott, who’s a spy. The main characters are a fat recluse named Winston Churchill and a young woman named Savella Stafford. The whole premise of the story is that Winston Churchill is the last British Prime Minister, and he desperately needs the aid of an organization called the Peace Corps. The organization was created by a man named Richard Joyce, a former Prime Minister.
The novel’s central plot involves Winston Churchill attempting to form a government in Britain without a majority of votes. Although he’s Prime Minister, he still has the support of a few Party members. Churchill wants to form a government that’ll rule England alone.
When the IRA attempts to assassinate Churchill, they’re stopped by Big Brother. The organization then leaves Churchill alone to oversee England’s affairs while working out a plan to win the peace. However, Big Brother also intends to take over the Government at any cost.
Savella Stafford, her husband Arthur, and several American prisoners of war are put into prison camps. When the American prisoners of war escape from a prison camp, they hide out at Big Brother’s house. Winston Churchill tries to form a government, but the IRA quickly stalls it. Churchill then begins to form alliances with a group of people who oppose Big Brother. These people include Lord North, Earl Grey, and the Duke of York.
The main plot of the story involves the interactions of the different characters. They all help form a new political system in England, but some groups of rebels try to rebel against the Government. This group of rebels also include two women named Winifred and Lucy. Winston Churchill, Lord North, and the Duke of York eventually form a committee to create a new England government. The book ends with the formation of a House of Parliament for England.
