Orwell, George — Nineteen eighty-four [63]

Winston turned round abruptly. He had set his features into the expression of quiet optimism which it was advisable to wear when facing the telescreen. — Orwell, George, Nineteen eighty-four, 63

Note

The governing metaphor of the telescreen as a face to be faced — ‘when facing the telescreen’ treats surveillance as a social encounter requiring a manufactured expression. Economical and chilling.