Tone

Lastly, the literary theory of post-colonialism is also applicable to the tone found within the novel 1984. George Orwell's novel is written in a tone that can be interpreted only as gloomy, pessimistic, and extremely matter-of-fact. There is no room in the book for jokes, puns, or anything that is not one hundred percent serious. Orwell's speech is extremely restricted, giving off a dismal vibe towards the audience. This feeling of 'restriction' can be attributed to the post-colonial theory,which poses as a consequence of the imperialistic conquests of The Party. As The Party continues to expand its vast regime into neighboring areas, each colonized state begins to inherit a feeling of isolationism. By portraying such a grey, gloomy mood throughout the entirety of the novel, it's almost as if Orwell is attempting to place the audience into the same position as Winston, allowing them to experience the same feelings he experiences as he goes about his day-to-day life. Orwell describes the settings of the novel vividly, but does so in a matter where color is null. His sentences are minimal, contributing to the bleakness of the world that his creating through is writing. Orwell is able to accomplish setting such a colorless tone while still sparing no detail by teaching the audience about the world of 1984 - specifically Oceania - through dull, matter-of-fact explanations that subtly encompass the daily life of its residents. Orwell uses short, detached words instead of creating unnecessary descriptions with longer ones. It can be said that readers feel as far as alarmed or frightened by the diction that Orwell implements into his work. Through the development of this tone, it can also be said that Orwell's purpose of inserting this particular vibe into the novel is to illustrate just how miserable life would become if totalitarianism, such as the regime presented in this novel, were allowed to succeed and expand. This aligns with the post-colonial theory of imperialism through expansion, allowing for further analysis of the text.