1. Symbol of Hope:
- The Brotherhood serves as a symbol of hope and resistance against the oppressive regime of Big Brother.
- Its existence, though unconfirmed, gives the characters in the story and readers a glimmer of potential rebellion.
2. Ideological Opposition:
- The Brotherhood represents the opposite ideological views and values of the Party.
- It challenges the principles of Ingsoc (English Socialism), doublethink, newspeak, and the surveillance state.
3. Subversion and Propaganda:
- The Brotherhood is believed to be responsible for subversive propaganda that is spread occasionally as handwritten leaflets and whispers among citizens.
- This propaganda encourages people to question the government and spread doubt about the Party's claims.
4. Uncertainty of Existence:
- The existence of the Brotherhood is never fully confirmed in the novel.
- It could be a real resistance movement, a fabrication by the government to control the population, or a combination of both.
5. Inspiration for Winston:
- For the protagonist, Winston Smith, the possibility of the Brotherhood's existence becomes a driving force for his rebellion.
- He hopes to find members of the Brotherhood and join the resistance against Big Brother.
6. Symbol of Dissent and Individuality:
- The Brotherhood represents the possibility of individual thought, freedom, and dissent in a society that suppresses these attributes.
- It symbolizes people's desires to break free from the totalitarian control.
7. Ambiguous Nature:
- Throughout the story, the Brotherhood remains an enigmatic entity, shrouded in mystery and uncertainty.
- This adds to the unsettling atmosphere and the sense of constant surveillance and paranoia in the novel.
Overall, the Brotherhood in "1984" functions as a symbol of resistance, hope, and the potential for rebellion against an oppressive regime that seeks to control every aspect of its citizens' lives.