In the beginning of 1984, Orwell states how Winston acknowledges a portrait of a 45ish year old man. He also states how the picture is "so contrived" and the eyes of the man follow you wherever you are to move. The caption beneath reading, "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU". The question being, why does Orwell decide to start off the book with this portrait and what does it symbolize throughout the book? Does this man in the portrait have an important meaning to Winston or any events that occur throughout the book?