Following his capture, Winston undergoes a process of “philosophical cleansing” and “re-education.” He fights valiantly against this. Discuss the methods of torture and their results. What do you think this ending is saying about the hope Winston had for himself and for mankind at the beginning of the book? What do you think the broader message of the book is?
Winston does put on a long, valiant fight against O'Brien and the party in Book 3. But, he eventually falls. A physiological torture was being in a prison cell with no windows and there's always lights on. So, Winston doesn't sleep well and begins to lose track of time and space. He gets confused and doesn't know where in the Ministry of Love he is. Another type of torture they used on Winston was this contraption that stretch out Winston's body and sent electrical changes through his body. O'Brein used this torture device to try to make Winston forget his memories. This is when O'Brein is asking Winston how many fingers he's holding up. Winston knows there's four but it's supposed to mean you never know what it really is. It's only what the Party tells you what it is. And, finally, the last form of torture they use on Winston was the torture in room 101. It's supposedly the worst place in the world. They display Winston's worst fears... rats. O'Brein tells him that he'll release a cage full of hungry rats on his face unless he stops hating the Party. So, he betrays Julia and says that he would rather have her get that torture than himself. As for the ending, I felt like it was a shame. Even the most rebellious party member has their limits and can be controlled i guess. But, after reading what happens to people that in the Ministry of Love, the hope of successfully overpowering the Party decreases. They can cleanse the rebels of their hatred thoughts toward the party. And, final thoughts, I think that the boarder message of this book is there really is not hope for those that dislike the Party and that want things to change. The Party has gained too much power and control that it's more than likely that things won't change. But, I agree with Huxely that this society won't last forever and that it would eventually have to change into a Brave New World society. But, it's clear that the people living in the society of 1984 really have crappy lives...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
1984 Blog #8
After his meeting with O’Brien at O’Brien’s home, Winston receives a book, ostensibly written by Emmanuel Goldstein. The book is supposed to explain how the society in which Winston now lives evolved. Focus on these passages. Look particularly at the theory of the High, Middle, and Low classes. If true, what does this theory mean about the proles? How might it alter Winston’s hopes for the proles? Does this theory of history make sense to you?
After finally meeting with O'Brien, Winston is given a book by O'Brien, which is written by Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein wrote about his theory of the current society and how it is divided into classes. Basically, what Goldstein's theory says is that the proles will never realize what's going on around them. In a society that is corrupt and not functioning properly, the ones that are on the low end would try to rebel and change the upper end of the society. But, in this society in 1984, this is not the case. The proles, who are the lower class, have no intension of trying to change the current circumstances. They're the kind of people that just go with the flow and don't rock the boat. In fact, they wouldn't even consciously try to 'swim upstream' or 'make waves'. So, let's move up. You could say that Outer Party would be the middle class and the upper class is the Inner Party. It is clear that there are people in the Outer Party that see the problems and would like to do something about it like Winston and now Julia. But, because the Outer Party is a part of the Party, the Party keeps them scared and frightened to do anything against them. And, this is why there isn't anyone that could convince the proles, who are the largest in population, to rebel against the Inner Party. This book definitely makes Winston think twice about his hopefully thoughts of trying to convince the proles of rebelling. So, with this theory, Goldstein believes that with how the classes are divided, there's really no way for this society change. However, I feel that there's nothing in this society that makes this way of living permeant unlike in "A Brave New World" and mind conditioning. So, there's still a chance of this 1984 society to change... i guess we'll have to wait and find out.
After finally meeting with O'Brien, Winston is given a book by O'Brien, which is written by Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein wrote about his theory of the current society and how it is divided into classes. Basically, what Goldstein's theory says is that the proles will never realize what's going on around them. In a society that is corrupt and not functioning properly, the ones that are on the low end would try to rebel and change the upper end of the society. But, in this society in 1984, this is not the case. The proles, who are the lower class, have no intension of trying to change the current circumstances. They're the kind of people that just go with the flow and don't rock the boat. In fact, they wouldn't even consciously try to 'swim upstream' or 'make waves'. So, let's move up. You could say that Outer Party would be the middle class and the upper class is the Inner Party. It is clear that there are people in the Outer Party that see the problems and would like to do something about it like Winston and now Julia. But, because the Outer Party is a part of the Party, the Party keeps them scared and frightened to do anything against them. And, this is why there isn't anyone that could convince the proles, who are the largest in population, to rebel against the Inner Party. This book definitely makes Winston think twice about his hopefully thoughts of trying to convince the proles of rebelling. So, with this theory, Goldstein believes that with how the classes are divided, there's really no way for this society change. However, I feel that there's nothing in this society that makes this way of living permeant unlike in "A Brave New World" and mind conditioning. So, there's still a chance of this 1984 society to change... i guess we'll have to wait and find out.
Monday, April 13, 2009
1984 Blog #7
Orwell spends a great deal of time discussing Winston’s dreams. Discuss and analyze the dream sequence in Chapter 8. What does this dream suggest about Winston’s psychological state? Why might this dream be important to an understanding of Winston’s character? To the book as a whole?
Throughout the book, Winston has definitely had quite a few dreams. But, in this recent chapters, he dreams and recalls a memory about his mother as well as his younger sister. In the back of his mind, Winston always thought that he was the one that murdered his mother. The dream reminds him of how he acted when he was a child. He was not well mannered and very selfish. He was very cruel and harsh to his mother and sister when there was no reason to be. He would throw temper tantrums and scream at his mother and wouldn't stop until he got everything he wanted. There was a time when the family was low on food because they were hiding from air raids and Winston demanded for some chocolate. So, being the selfish brat that he was, he stole the chocolate from his mother and sister and ran away. So, this creates a clear picture that Winston was a crappy child. But, it also tells us that he was acting on basic human instincts because he wasn't scared of the Party at that time. He could just be a child. As people become older, the Party takes away that part of human behavior because it could be a treat to the progression of the Party. So, the Party forces a facade onto Winston as well as many people that feel strong emotions. Which is one of the reasons why Winston favors the proles because they have the opportunity to express those feelings and be human beings. Winston feels like those in within the confines of the Party are not truly living, or living to their potential as the proles are. But, basically, Orwell is trying to explain to us his feelings about children and how they never really change even though external forces like the party really would like them to.
Throughout the book, Winston has definitely had quite a few dreams. But, in this recent chapters, he dreams and recalls a memory about his mother as well as his younger sister. In the back of his mind, Winston always thought that he was the one that murdered his mother. The dream reminds him of how he acted when he was a child. He was not well mannered and very selfish. He was very cruel and harsh to his mother and sister when there was no reason to be. He would throw temper tantrums and scream at his mother and wouldn't stop until he got everything he wanted. There was a time when the family was low on food because they were hiding from air raids and Winston demanded for some chocolate. So, being the selfish brat that he was, he stole the chocolate from his mother and sister and ran away. So, this creates a clear picture that Winston was a crappy child. But, it also tells us that he was acting on basic human instincts because he wasn't scared of the Party at that time. He could just be a child. As people become older, the Party takes away that part of human behavior because it could be a treat to the progression of the Party. So, the Party forces a facade onto Winston as well as many people that feel strong emotions. Which is one of the reasons why Winston favors the proles because they have the opportunity to express those feelings and be human beings. Winston feels like those in within the confines of the Party are not truly living, or living to their potential as the proles are. But, basically, Orwell is trying to explain to us his feelings about children and how they never really change even though external forces like the party really would like them to.
Friday, April 10, 2009
1984 Blog #6
Pay careful attention to the last paragraph in Chapter 6, which begins “He knew sooner or later…” What does Winston seem to know? What is being foreshadowed here? Also, what do you think of O’Brien up to this point?
After reading the last paragraph in Chapter 6, we discover what Winston seems to know. He knows that he will follow O'Brien's summons and do what he wants him to do. After his weird dream about O'Brien, Winston has had a feeling that O'Brien will come to him "in a place where there's no darkness". And, his dream came true, he managed to have an encounter with O'Brien in a hallway at the Ministry of Truth, which he gets invited to go to his house. Winston was excited and anxious at the same time. But, he feels that all this rebellious thoughts he's experiencing might soon become his actions. The foreshadowing that's happening is he has finally met with O'Brien and now something important might be on the horizon, which could either be good or bad for Winston. I believe Winston knows how likely he is going to get caught and either imprisoned or killed at this point. So, this meeting with O'Brien might make the 'inevitable' come true quicker. And, about O'Brien... I really don't know what to think of him because I really don't know much about him. I hope he's what Winston thinks he is. But, there's a pretty strong chance that O'Brien might be the cause of Winston inevitable capture. But, I guess.. we'll wait and find out.
After reading the last paragraph in Chapter 6, we discover what Winston seems to know. He knows that he will follow O'Brien's summons and do what he wants him to do. After his weird dream about O'Brien, Winston has had a feeling that O'Brien will come to him "in a place where there's no darkness". And, his dream came true, he managed to have an encounter with O'Brien in a hallway at the Ministry of Truth, which he gets invited to go to his house. Winston was excited and anxious at the same time. But, he feels that all this rebellious thoughts he's experiencing might soon become his actions. The foreshadowing that's happening is he has finally met with O'Brien and now something important might be on the horizon, which could either be good or bad for Winston. I believe Winston knows how likely he is going to get caught and either imprisoned or killed at this point. So, this meeting with O'Brien might make the 'inevitable' come true quicker. And, about O'Brien... I really don't know what to think of him because I really don't know much about him. I hope he's what Winston thinks he is. But, there's a pretty strong chance that O'Brien might be the cause of Winston inevitable capture. But, I guess.. we'll wait and find out.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
1984 Blog #5
Describe the relationship between Winston and Julia. Focus particularly on their different worldviews. How are they different from each other? How are the similar?
Even though the relationship between Winston and Julia has just started, we're already trying to point their similarities and differences. One of the views/interests that their relationship shares is their dislike of the Party and what they stand for. They like doing things that are against the Party. In essence, their relationship is a political act against the Party because the Party is against having sex for pleasure... only for procreation. And, the reason why the Party doesn't want it for pleasure is because it would be for someone's self-interest... making them more of an individual. So, if the Party can control people from not having sex for pleasure, then they can get them to participate in more Party activities like the two-minutes Hate and prisoner executions and so on. But, simply put, both Winston and Julia agree on doing things that the Party doesn't want them to do. So, Winston and Julia can agree that they're rebelling, but rebelling quietly. Now, Julia and Winston have some differences. It's true that they agree to rebel against the Party, but they do it for different reasons. Winston has this idea of one day the Party will be no more. Julia isn't out to destroy the Party. There are just some things like sleeping with men that she finds attractive that she wants to quietly get away with. Also, ever since Winston bought that diary, he's had the feeling that it's inevitable that he'll get caught. So, he has always had that nervous thought in his mind when he's going against the party. Julia, on the other hand, feels that there's a way to live like the Party wants you too and still get away with the rebellious acts. So, that's where Winston and Julia have different views about their relationship and their actions against the Party.
Even though the relationship between Winston and Julia has just started, we're already trying to point their similarities and differences. One of the views/interests that their relationship shares is their dislike of the Party and what they stand for. They like doing things that are against the Party. In essence, their relationship is a political act against the Party because the Party is against having sex for pleasure... only for procreation. And, the reason why the Party doesn't want it for pleasure is because it would be for someone's self-interest... making them more of an individual. So, if the Party can control people from not having sex for pleasure, then they can get them to participate in more Party activities like the two-minutes Hate and prisoner executions and so on. But, simply put, both Winston and Julia agree on doing things that the Party doesn't want them to do. So, Winston and Julia can agree that they're rebelling, but rebelling quietly. Now, Julia and Winston have some differences. It's true that they agree to rebel against the Party, but they do it for different reasons. Winston has this idea of one day the Party will be no more. Julia isn't out to destroy the Party. There are just some things like sleeping with men that she finds attractive that she wants to quietly get away with. Also, ever since Winston bought that diary, he's had the feeling that it's inevitable that he'll get caught. So, he has always had that nervous thought in his mind when he's going against the party. Julia, on the other hand, feels that there's a way to live like the Party wants you too and still get away with the rebellious acts. So, that's where Winston and Julia have different views about their relationship and their actions against the Party.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
1984 Blog #4
Look at Julia and Winston’s conversation at the end of Chapter 2. One statement that really stands out is when Winston, “I hate purity, I hate goodness. I don’t want any virtue to exist anywhere.” Think of John’s defiant speech to Mustapha Mond at the end of Chapter 17 of Brave New World. Do these statements relate in any way? What is Winston saying here? And are there other notable statements here that you feel you should bring up?
When thinking about John's speech to Mustapha Mond, Winston's statement at the end of chapter two are related because of their meanings and their intentions for their statements. When you think about Brave New World and how everyone just wanted to have sex with everyone and live life easily, John didn't agree with their standards of living. He felt like it was wrong. Same goes for Winston and why he said things he said at the end of chapter two. But, it's odd because you would think that his life is miserable and he wants things like purity and goodness and virtue, which could possibly help his horrible living conditions in 1984. But, he says these things because the Party represents these words, or they would like for everyone to believe they are. So, the party claims they are "purity" and "good". But, since Winston wants nothing to do with the Party, he hates the things the Party represents. And, also, another way to look at why Winston said those things is because of their official language of Newspeak. Newspeak is designed to limit words and phrases that could potentially relate to rebellious thoughts against the party, making it a version of mind control. So, to us, it sounds odd that he hates purity and goodness etc. but maybe thats because his vocabulary is limited due to Newspeak. But, really, Winston is feeling more like an individual rather than part of the group or should i say... the Party.
When thinking about John's speech to Mustapha Mond, Winston's statement at the end of chapter two are related because of their meanings and their intentions for their statements. When you think about Brave New World and how everyone just wanted to have sex with everyone and live life easily, John didn't agree with their standards of living. He felt like it was wrong. Same goes for Winston and why he said things he said at the end of chapter two. But, it's odd because you would think that his life is miserable and he wants things like purity and goodness and virtue, which could possibly help his horrible living conditions in 1984. But, he says these things because the Party represents these words, or they would like for everyone to believe they are. So, the party claims they are "purity" and "good". But, since Winston wants nothing to do with the Party, he hates the things the Party represents. And, also, another way to look at why Winston said those things is because of their official language of Newspeak. Newspeak is designed to limit words and phrases that could potentially relate to rebellious thoughts against the party, making it a version of mind control. So, to us, it sounds odd that he hates purity and goodness etc. but maybe thats because his vocabulary is limited due to Newspeak. But, really, Winston is feeling more like an individual rather than part of the group or should i say... the Party.
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