1984 theme and symbolism help

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt3

Well i have to write an essay about the themes of Orwell's 1984 and how they played a part in the novel but i just cant piece together enough information on each theme provided to create an essay. If some of you could just input some of your suggestions i might have enough information. Here are the themes given:

Alienation and Isolation

Destruction of Human Values

Individuality versus Tyranny

Danger of permanent Totalitarianism

This might help me in the writing it might not but if you guys could help me find out what the rat and the The Chestnut Tree Café symbolized that would be great.

Have a go at reading the sticky threads at the top of the page - there's some good info in them which should help.

The rat doesn't symbolise anything as far as I'm aware, but it provides the means to the Thought Police to break Winston.

The cafe is a subject which has long been debated due to its tie to the past through the old rhyme. I guess you could say it symbolises Winston's life - craving for the old replaced by the new - all in the same body.

If you need more help on the themes after reading the rest, let me know.