Final answer:
Big Brother, from George Orwell's novel 1984, is presented as a menacing figure with a heavy black mustache and strong, reassuring features on ubiquitous posters with the caption 'BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.' He embodies the Party's control and surveillance, instilling fear and loyalty among the citizens of Oceania. While his actual existence is questionable, his symbolic presence is crucial for the Party's manipulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appearance and importance of Big Brother are central to understanding George Orwell’s novel 1984. While the physical appearance of Big Brother is not described in detail, he is typically depicted as a stern-looking man in his mid-forties, with a heavy black mustache and strong, reassuring features. This face is ubiquitous across Oceania, appearing on posters, coins, and telescreens with the caption “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.”
The importance of Big Brother goes far beyond his appearance. He is a symbol of the Party's power and control over the citizens of Oceania. Big Brother instills both reverence and fear, reminding everyone of the Party’s constant surveillance. The idea that Big Brother is always watching serves to suppress dissent and enforce loyalty. While it is implied that Big Brother may not actually exist as a real person, his persona as the infallible leader is essential for the Party's manipulation of truth, reality, and history.