I found that this week's reading was a little easier to understand than last week's. The section again begins by setting the scene for what was happening at this time. One part really stuck out to me: Accordingly, the forger was put to death; the utterer of a bad note was put to death; the unlawful opener of a letter was put to death; the purloiner of forty shillings and sixpence was put to death;.....Etc etc etc. As we have already read in the first section the guiatine was a big part of the time. Seeing as how this section is 5 years later and people are still being executed for various crimes, time must not be progressing very much. The people under rule of the king must feel so oppressed and scared to do anything out of order, but many things cannot be helped. For example, another crime to be put to death for was "stealing a horse outside of the bank." Well, if a father doesn't have money to buy food for his family, he would probably be coerced to steal it.
As the section progresses, we are introduced to a man named Cruncher. Cruncher doesn't appear to be a man of any education and he also comes across as angry / mean. He also thinks that the Christian religion is just something made up. This in combination with his personality and name lead me to believe that he is not the most humane man and would have no problem killing another person. One thing that is interesting about him is how he treats his wife and raises his son. His son is growing up to be just like him and that is only going to continue on the tradition of the "King with a strong jaw, Queen with a fair face" principle that men hold the power and women have no opinion. Another thing I wonder about him is why his boots are muddy and his thumb rusty. What is he doing that would cause that? He's an odd job man for the bank, so why does he come home with mud on his boots???
Chapter 2 begins with Cruncher entering a court to find a trial for a man on treason. When he speaks to a spectator, it's said that the man on trial is definitely guilty and a gruesome punishment is described. The way the man describes it, with such furver, is some what sickening. The punishment is horrible, yet he seems to be taking a sadistic pleasure in the thought of watching it. He also wants the man on trial to be found guilty, and expects that Cruncher wants the same, which he probably does. Something that strikes me about the whole situation is that the punishment for treason is well known and obviously brutal. This is a good way for the king to keep people from rebelling. I can only imagine the fear instilled withing the people because if they even slightly implicate to a rebellion they will be tortured to their death.
When they brought the prisoner in, I was quite surprised when his appearence was described. He's only 25 years old and looks like a fair young gentleman - definitely not the stereotype of the typical criminal for this time or any. When I picture most people getting executed, I picture a pauper in dirty rags, but he appears to be doing okay financially by the way he's dressed and how his hair is. Even by his demeanor, he seems to be smarter than the average man because of how he listens to the case so attentively. However, the one thing he lacks in his demeanor is humanity. He doesn't come across as a warm person and that would probably be the deciding factor that puts him to death. However, he is truly saved when Miss Manette testifies in his favor.
Miss Manette, five years from when we last saw her, is in the court room and the spectators are drawn to her. She gives off a comfort and warmth that is so abundant, it compensates for his lack of charm. The questioning given to him and other testifiers prove nothing beyond reasonable doubt for the crime, yet it still doesn't look good for him. Then Miss Manette testifies about his kindness and it's her heartfelt testimony that saves him from a grotesque death. Though he is acquitted, I do question if he's innocent or not. But I'm in favor of the crime he's committed because change needs to happen for the people. Something that strikes me about him is that he seems to have some money and live a stable life, yet the people he's committing treason for (if he really is) are quite poor. This shows that he must be a very noble man.
Chapter 4 begins with a description of how Miss Manette makes the prisoner, Mr. Darnay, feel. "...The sound of her voice, the light of her face, the touch of her hand, had a strong beneficial influence with him almost always." So it's clear that he posesses strong feelings toward her, but what does she think of him? I'm guessing by her testimony that she has feelings for him too, but I don't know if that's the case or if she just thinks of him as a friend.
The next part of Chapter 4, I had a difficult time understanding. There seems to be conflict between Mr. Darnay, Mr. Lorry, Mr. Carton, and Mr. Stryver. They keep talking about business, but I'm having a hard time reading between the lines and figuring it out on this one. Was the trial fixed in favor of Mr. Darnay? I don't know if this is one of the parts that I'm not supposed to understand yet, or if I'm just missing something... One thing I did get out of it is that Mr. Darnay and Mr. Carton are definitely enemies and I took something Mr. Carton said as foreshaddowing: "Don't let your sober face elate you, however; you don't know what it may come to. Good-night!" That cannot mean anything good for Mr. Darnay's future.
In the first sentence of chapter 5 I notice that Dickens is personifying Time as if it is a person, and this is the same thing he did with "Death." Other than that little tidbit, the chapter goes on to describe Mr. Stryver. It's said that Mr. Carton who is idle and unpromising is one of Mr. Stryver's greatest allys. That being said, I don't think Mr. Stryver is one of the nicest people we'll see in this book. It's also stated that the two men drink very heavily together whether it be night or day, so they're probably not the most responsible lawmen.
Something that I find kind of ironic about these men are the nick-names they bear. Mr. Carton is the Jackal and Mr. Stryver, the Lion. Neither of these two animals symbolize anything bad - a Jackal stands for a guide of souls and is associated with cemetaries, and a lion is considered powerful, majestic, and noble. These are not exactly traits that either man seems to posess, but I suppose it could be foreshaddowing to something farther down the line.
One night the men get together as usual and drink and go over papers when Stryver makes the comment that Carton is lame and serves no energy or purpose. That doesn't seem like they're friends to me and I have yet to fully understand them or their relationship.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
1984 pages 260 - END Week 8
This section begins with Winston still strapped to the bed being questioned by O'brien. He is told that he is on the second step of reintigration, which is understanding. Because of that, the bonds that hold him to the bed are looser. However, just because the bonds are looser does not mean that Winston is under any less control - this is just one of the many ways that the Party manipulates its prisoners.
One of the first things O'brien explains is the book that Winston was to read. In that book it explains that there will always be potential for the Proles to rebell. But O'brien, who wrote it, believes other wise, that the Proles will never rebell. I myself would like to believe that they will rebell at some point in life. But why should they? They are not under the same constrictions as Party members; they can sing and have their own thoughts and that may just be enough for them.
Finally, O'brien asks Winston why the Party rules the way they do. Winston ponders this for quite some time before giving the answer he thinks O'brien will find the most satisfactory. His reply: "You are ruling over us for our own good." This sets off a spark within O'brien and he pulls the lever, releasing pain on Winston. Then he is quick to correct stating that the Party controls people for their own sake. The people of the Party wish to be immortal throughout time. As I was reading this, I thought it was fairly selfish, but I was unsurprised. Why else would one afflict such oppression on others? One thing I find very hypocritical about O'brien would be that he says he is not involved with the Party for wealth or luxury, but he lives in one of the most amazing houses in Oceania. He also has the food of the past...If he was as uninterested in luxury as he says, he wouldn't be living an opulent lifestyle.
The next part of the section was almost frightening to me. Winston is looking up at O'brien and thinking of how old he looks when O'brien actually reads his thoughts and states it back to him. Is he trained that well in the art of thought that he knows what Winston is thinking? Or is it the machine that he's hooked up to? Either way, the thought of somebody knowing my every thought is quite terrifying.
From here, O'brien goes into this whole harangue about how the individual is only a cell and how nothing can be done unless multiple people are involved. I strongly disagree with this because everything has to start with one person. If one person could be brave enough to stand up and get a group to rally against the Party, maybe rebellion could be possible and freedom attained.
The two then go on to argue about the world and life. Winston refuses to believe the Party controls everything because they do not control weather or gravity or pain which I have been thinking this entire time. However, O'brien squashes these thoughts in Winston's and my own mind when he describes how the Party controls everything. If the Party controls the mind and people believe what they are being fed, anything can be anything. If the Party says it's warm at 30 degrees, people will believe it and they will think it is warm. It is sickening and O'brien's words have destroyed a lot of my thoughts that I've had throughout the book because I had not thought that deep into the Party's control.
O'brien goes on to talk about the future which is even scarier than the present time Winston is living in. The way of life he is talking about is meaningless and devolved. There will be no love, no science, no literature, and no feelings. People will not even think to rebell because in the future there will be no remnants of the past. However, if the Party creates a world devoid of any emotion, there will also be no hate and that is what the Party runs on. According to O'brien, power is the ability to make people suffer, but if the people reach a point where they no longer feel they're suffering or hate the government, then they will think nothing of living equally among the inner Party members and a disadvanced balance will be established. So even if a rebellion never occurs, the Partry will eventually fail.
Toward the end of the section, O'brien really plays into Winston's emotions and vulnerability by showing him what he looks like for the first time since he's been in the Ministry. The image that stares back at Winston from the mirror is almost unrecognizable because he is rotting away. He didn't realize the condition he was in, but the depiction of him is quite grotesque. O'brien does this to break Winston down to a point where even his own spirit is irrecognizable, so that rebuilding can begin. Unfortunately, it works and Winston breaks down to a point where he doesn't want to fight anymore. The only thing he has to hope for is death.
When this section starts, time has apparently passed. Winston is in a more comfortable cell being fed regularly and getting stronger. This must mean that he has completed the second phase of the Party. He's gotten to a point where he no longer feels the need for human interaction or emotion because the Party has stripped him of that. The only thing Winston feels is what comes with basic human instict, happiness with being fed and not being beaten. The Party has almost completely gotten to him, but he does still have his loyalty for Julia. Though there is no real love there, he feels an obligation to her and a pride that he has not betrayed her. However, that all changes when he lets loose words about Julia, proclaiming she's his love.
Shortly after his statement, the guards come in and Winston is taken to room 101, which he finds scary, but not as bad as before. However, what O'brien has in mind for Winston at this visit is much worse than any beating. Because he's been watching Winston for years, O'brien knows what his fear is - rats. He threatens Winston with a rat cage designed specifically designed for torture. This is finally what sends Winston over the edge to a point where he loses that loyalty and pride and, not even reluctantly, asks if Julia could take his place. This is the end of his time at the ministry for they feel he has completed the three steps fully and can go on supporting and believing in the Party.
The last section has finally come and we see that Winston was never shot, but instead reintroduced back into Oceania life. He is back to drinking the victory gin, which is still horrible, but he pays no mind to that fact. His life has fallen into a routine where he spends most of his days at the Chestnut Tree restaurant listening to the telescreen, playing chess. It's evident that his life has no meaning, but he believes fully in what the Party tells him. Though he still has faint memories of life before his capture, nothing is complete and, therefore, he is an empty soul.
While he is playing his chess game, he realizes that white always wins over black and he makes the comparisson of good always winning over evil. What I wonder is if it's supposed to symbolize the Proles rebelling in the future over the Party or , since Winston now believes the Party is good, the never-ending rule of the Party. Since he believes the Party is good, does that mean they will always win??
One day, just by chance, Winston actually met Julia in the park. I am surprised that she was still alive because her soul was no more against the Party than Syme's. Her only disagreement with them was that they controlled her femininity and sexuality. There is clearly no love between them when they meet, there never was. But now that the Party has instilled a fear into them and stripped them of their natural urges, they do not feel a need to catch up or show any feeling toward one another. Julia does reveal to Winston that she betrayed him and he isn't angry because he did the same. Only two people who have gone through what they did can understand why they did it - it is only now that they have a bond with each other, but it doesn't matter. They depart and never see each other again.
It is revealed that Winston is no longer being heavily watched by the Party and that there's not even a telescreen with him anymore. He got his wish for freedom, but doesn't know what to do with it - he has no desire to do anything the Party considers illegal. I think that it's because the Party no longer watches him that he's fallen into such a routine, depressing pattern. He is now alone in the world with nobody watching him and nobody interacting with him. Though he wasn't shot, he is virtually dead. In the end, he does come to a point where he loves Big Brother and that is the point where I realize that the Party has vaporized his spirit. That is a fate much worse than a murdersome death.
One of the first things O'brien explains is the book that Winston was to read. In that book it explains that there will always be potential for the Proles to rebell. But O'brien, who wrote it, believes other wise, that the Proles will never rebell. I myself would like to believe that they will rebell at some point in life. But why should they? They are not under the same constrictions as Party members; they can sing and have their own thoughts and that may just be enough for them.
Finally, O'brien asks Winston why the Party rules the way they do. Winston ponders this for quite some time before giving the answer he thinks O'brien will find the most satisfactory. His reply: "You are ruling over us for our own good." This sets off a spark within O'brien and he pulls the lever, releasing pain on Winston. Then he is quick to correct stating that the Party controls people for their own sake. The people of the Party wish to be immortal throughout time. As I was reading this, I thought it was fairly selfish, but I was unsurprised. Why else would one afflict such oppression on others? One thing I find very hypocritical about O'brien would be that he says he is not involved with the Party for wealth or luxury, but he lives in one of the most amazing houses in Oceania. He also has the food of the past...If he was as uninterested in luxury as he says, he wouldn't be living an opulent lifestyle.
The next part of the section was almost frightening to me. Winston is looking up at O'brien and thinking of how old he looks when O'brien actually reads his thoughts and states it back to him. Is he trained that well in the art of thought that he knows what Winston is thinking? Or is it the machine that he's hooked up to? Either way, the thought of somebody knowing my every thought is quite terrifying.
From here, O'brien goes into this whole harangue about how the individual is only a cell and how nothing can be done unless multiple people are involved. I strongly disagree with this because everything has to start with one person. If one person could be brave enough to stand up and get a group to rally against the Party, maybe rebellion could be possible and freedom attained.
The two then go on to argue about the world and life. Winston refuses to believe the Party controls everything because they do not control weather or gravity or pain which I have been thinking this entire time. However, O'brien squashes these thoughts in Winston's and my own mind when he describes how the Party controls everything. If the Party controls the mind and people believe what they are being fed, anything can be anything. If the Party says it's warm at 30 degrees, people will believe it and they will think it is warm. It is sickening and O'brien's words have destroyed a lot of my thoughts that I've had throughout the book because I had not thought that deep into the Party's control.
O'brien goes on to talk about the future which is even scarier than the present time Winston is living in. The way of life he is talking about is meaningless and devolved. There will be no love, no science, no literature, and no feelings. People will not even think to rebell because in the future there will be no remnants of the past. However, if the Party creates a world devoid of any emotion, there will also be no hate and that is what the Party runs on. According to O'brien, power is the ability to make people suffer, but if the people reach a point where they no longer feel they're suffering or hate the government, then they will think nothing of living equally among the inner Party members and a disadvanced balance will be established. So even if a rebellion never occurs, the Partry will eventually fail.
Toward the end of the section, O'brien really plays into Winston's emotions and vulnerability by showing him what he looks like for the first time since he's been in the Ministry. The image that stares back at Winston from the mirror is almost unrecognizable because he is rotting away. He didn't realize the condition he was in, but the depiction of him is quite grotesque. O'brien does this to break Winston down to a point where even his own spirit is irrecognizable, so that rebuilding can begin. Unfortunately, it works and Winston breaks down to a point where he doesn't want to fight anymore. The only thing he has to hope for is death.
When this section starts, time has apparently passed. Winston is in a more comfortable cell being fed regularly and getting stronger. This must mean that he has completed the second phase of the Party. He's gotten to a point where he no longer feels the need for human interaction or emotion because the Party has stripped him of that. The only thing Winston feels is what comes with basic human instict, happiness with being fed and not being beaten. The Party has almost completely gotten to him, but he does still have his loyalty for Julia. Though there is no real love there, he feels an obligation to her and a pride that he has not betrayed her. However, that all changes when he lets loose words about Julia, proclaiming she's his love.
Shortly after his statement, the guards come in and Winston is taken to room 101, which he finds scary, but not as bad as before. However, what O'brien has in mind for Winston at this visit is much worse than any beating. Because he's been watching Winston for years, O'brien knows what his fear is - rats. He threatens Winston with a rat cage designed specifically designed for torture. This is finally what sends Winston over the edge to a point where he loses that loyalty and pride and, not even reluctantly, asks if Julia could take his place. This is the end of his time at the ministry for they feel he has completed the three steps fully and can go on supporting and believing in the Party.
The last section has finally come and we see that Winston was never shot, but instead reintroduced back into Oceania life. He is back to drinking the victory gin, which is still horrible, but he pays no mind to that fact. His life has fallen into a routine where he spends most of his days at the Chestnut Tree restaurant listening to the telescreen, playing chess. It's evident that his life has no meaning, but he believes fully in what the Party tells him. Though he still has faint memories of life before his capture, nothing is complete and, therefore, he is an empty soul.
While he is playing his chess game, he realizes that white always wins over black and he makes the comparisson of good always winning over evil. What I wonder is if it's supposed to symbolize the Proles rebelling in the future over the Party or , since Winston now believes the Party is good, the never-ending rule of the Party. Since he believes the Party is good, does that mean they will always win??
One day, just by chance, Winston actually met Julia in the park. I am surprised that she was still alive because her soul was no more against the Party than Syme's. Her only disagreement with them was that they controlled her femininity and sexuality. There is clearly no love between them when they meet, there never was. But now that the Party has instilled a fear into them and stripped them of their natural urges, they do not feel a need to catch up or show any feeling toward one another. Julia does reveal to Winston that she betrayed him and he isn't angry because he did the same. Only two people who have gone through what they did can understand why they did it - it is only now that they have a bond with each other, but it doesn't matter. They depart and never see each other again.
It is revealed that Winston is no longer being heavily watched by the Party and that there's not even a telescreen with him anymore. He got his wish for freedom, but doesn't know what to do with it - he has no desire to do anything the Party considers illegal. I think that it's because the Party no longer watches him that he's fallen into such a routine, depressing pattern. He is now alone in the world with nobody watching him and nobody interacting with him. Though he wasn't shot, he is virtually dead. In the end, he does come to a point where he loves Big Brother and that is the point where I realize that the Party has vaporized his spirit. That is a fate much worse than a murdersome death.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
1984 pages 225 - 260 Week 7
This section of reading begins after Winston has been captured and taken from Julia. He describes the room as "high-ceilinged and windowless with walls of glittering white porcelain." This is a somewhat ironic setting because one would normally picture a room such as the one he's in to be dark, dreary, and filthy. It's like the entire country of Oceania; the sky is always described as blue and things in the city lacks the gloominess one would expect with the oppression that goes on there. However, even though the room is white and clean, it is definitely known that the people are not to be comfortable, as noted by the thin bench they are forced to sit still on or else the telescreen will yell at them. What I want to know is why that telescreen still holds the power that it does. Winston is already starving and in the Ministry, so what is stopping him from acting out? I don't know how his situation can be any worse because he already knows what's coming, he might as well do what he feels like until his time comes.
It is also stated that Winston was put in another cell prior to this one which was dirty. This one was a mixture of both Party members and proles. It's amazing that the proles who are supposidly the low lifes of Oceania know they have nothing to be scared of. They are not the ones who are going to be tortured, but it is instead the Party members who need to be frightened. I thought that the proles would be tortured just as much as the Party members just for being apart of that low class.
As he's sitting in the filthy cell, it is mentioned that Winston couldn't think about Julia. He says that he loves her and that's a fact, but I don't believe they were ever in love. I think Winston was in love with the idea of Julia. The idea that having her was a rebellion against the party. I also feel that Winston wanted somebody to talk to and he got that from her, even though she didn't listen.
Still sitting in the cell, Winston believes that the razor blade will be coming to him. While it could be later rather than sooner, he thinks that blade is coming. Unfortunately, that blade will not becoming to him. I can't figure out if he's still in denial about the Brotherhood and genuinely thinks the blade will be coming, or if he's just thinking about it as a way to keep his spirits up and take his mind off of the things around him.
One thing I noticed about his predicament is that he does not know what time of the day it is and does not know how long he has been there. The lights never go on or off to signify day or night. This would have to drive Winston crazy after so long to never know how long he has been in the Ministry and it's definitely a tactic used by the Ministry to make people feel less sane.
It is when the poet, Ampleforth, enters the room that Winston finally breaks his silence. Partly out of curiosity and also because he still thinks someone is coming with that razor. I just can't believe how much in denial Winston is about O'brien! He still trusts this guy as if he's going to set him free when it's obvious that he helped put him there. Well, surprise surprise, Ampleforth wasn't the bearer of the razor blade. He's there because he was unable to remove the word 'God' from a poem. What's sad is that he tried his hardest to do so but couldn't find anything else to work. I think this shows that no matter how much the Party tries they will never be able to erase everything from the past.
As Winston sits in the cell, prisoners are constantly coming and going, but the one that is not surprising is Parons. In a way it's ironic that he was always commending his children on busting thought criminals and they turned him in. However, it's not a shocker at all that he's in there because we knew from the beginning that his children would eventually turn on him. Parsons himself is in great denial when he's there because he continues yet to lend panegyric compliments to his children even though they're responsible for his imminent demise. What I find quite strange is that he is there because he talked in his sleep. He said "Down with Big Brother" but during the two minutes hate it was perfectly okay. It makes me angry at the Party that they do not take into consideration that people dream what they have done in the past. This man is praising his children for turning in thought criminals, yet he is there because he is supposidly against the Party. It is twisted in every way.
Soon after Parson's removal to the dreaded room 101, another prisoner is thrown into the cell. His frail appearance is terrifying to Winston who feels now as though he is being starved. This man is wasting away and when a fellow prisoner finally offers him a piece of bread he doesn't take it because he knows what will happen if he does. Suddenly a brutal man storms into the room and bludgens the giver of the bread with his trencheon. What I want to know is why the Party doesn't search its criminals' pockets. It would seem the logical thing to do so that bread doesn't get smuggled in to be fed to their prisoners.
After this incident, an officer comes to take away the starving man to room 101. Here we see just how horrible 101 must be because this brittle man throws himself at the mercy of the officer and heavily importunes him not to go there. He even tries to make them take in one of the other cell members in an attempt to escape this room. In the end he doesn't win against the healthy, strong officer. All he really succeeds in doing is making everyone else in the cell more horrified.
A time comes when Winston is all alone in the cell. The white light is inducing faintness and the position he's in on the bench is highly uncomfortable. These are definitely stress techniques which are apparently timeless because they're similar to some of the things done at Guantanamo Bay. In fact, this whole situatation is eerily similar to Guantanamo Bay - innocent people being questioned under harsh conditions with little sleep and loads of stress. It creates a forced confession.
Suddenly, Winston hears the boots approaching again and this time it's O'brien. I wonder what it is about Winston that is so special to O'brien. I'm sure O'brien catches many of these criminals through his tricks, but why is Winston important enough to deserve a special word before he's taken away? Is it because he is so overtly against the party that O'brien considers him a more important case?
From his cell, Winston is taken to room 101. It is in deed as horrible as it was foreshaddowed to be. The torture afflicted upon Winston was beyond gruesome and I had a hard time reading it. As a result of the brutality, Winston confesses to anything asked of him yet the torture still continues. It appears to be never-ending but then O'brien comes into the room. It is at this time that we finally learn why the Party tortures its prisoners the way that they do.
O'brien explains that he could care less about what Winston says or confesses, but he wants him to believe in what he's confessing. People never leave the Ministry without a clean mind which believes in the Party whether they're going back to Oceania life or being shot. The goal is to believe that two plus two equals five. One quote sticks out in my mind that was said to Winston presumably by O'brien, "For seven years I have watched over you. Now the turning point has come. I shall save you." I don't think this was a quote meaning 'I will save you from this torture,' but instead, a quote meaning 'I will save you from your (antiParty) thoughts.'
When O'brien is questioning Winston, he asks him questions about his memory. He then pulls out the picture Winston came across of the three convicted men whom Winston knew were innocent of the crimes. This picture is years old, yet they have been saving it. Has the Party been planning this moment for years? Just waiting for the right time to take Winston in and "save" his mind?
It is at the end of the chapter that one of the most horriffic events takes place. The doctor places a machine on Winston's head and O'brien begins to ask questions. What is so scary is that Winston is at a state where he doesn't know the correct answer, but they are somehow brainwashing him. He is starting to believe like they do, only not by choice. It completely goes against what he was telling Julia earlier about the Party - that they could make you say anything but never believe it. He no longer has any control over his life and I don't know what's worse for him, if he lives or if he dies.
It is also stated that Winston was put in another cell prior to this one which was dirty. This one was a mixture of both Party members and proles. It's amazing that the proles who are supposidly the low lifes of Oceania know they have nothing to be scared of. They are not the ones who are going to be tortured, but it is instead the Party members who need to be frightened. I thought that the proles would be tortured just as much as the Party members just for being apart of that low class.
As he's sitting in the filthy cell, it is mentioned that Winston couldn't think about Julia. He says that he loves her and that's a fact, but I don't believe they were ever in love. I think Winston was in love with the idea of Julia. The idea that having her was a rebellion against the party. I also feel that Winston wanted somebody to talk to and he got that from her, even though she didn't listen.
Still sitting in the cell, Winston believes that the razor blade will be coming to him. While it could be later rather than sooner, he thinks that blade is coming. Unfortunately, that blade will not becoming to him. I can't figure out if he's still in denial about the Brotherhood and genuinely thinks the blade will be coming, or if he's just thinking about it as a way to keep his spirits up and take his mind off of the things around him.
One thing I noticed about his predicament is that he does not know what time of the day it is and does not know how long he has been there. The lights never go on or off to signify day or night. This would have to drive Winston crazy after so long to never know how long he has been in the Ministry and it's definitely a tactic used by the Ministry to make people feel less sane.
It is when the poet, Ampleforth, enters the room that Winston finally breaks his silence. Partly out of curiosity and also because he still thinks someone is coming with that razor. I just can't believe how much in denial Winston is about O'brien! He still trusts this guy as if he's going to set him free when it's obvious that he helped put him there. Well, surprise surprise, Ampleforth wasn't the bearer of the razor blade. He's there because he was unable to remove the word 'God' from a poem. What's sad is that he tried his hardest to do so but couldn't find anything else to work. I think this shows that no matter how much the Party tries they will never be able to erase everything from the past.
As Winston sits in the cell, prisoners are constantly coming and going, but the one that is not surprising is Parons. In a way it's ironic that he was always commending his children on busting thought criminals and they turned him in. However, it's not a shocker at all that he's in there because we knew from the beginning that his children would eventually turn on him. Parsons himself is in great denial when he's there because he continues yet to lend panegyric compliments to his children even though they're responsible for his imminent demise. What I find quite strange is that he is there because he talked in his sleep. He said "Down with Big Brother" but during the two minutes hate it was perfectly okay. It makes me angry at the Party that they do not take into consideration that people dream what they have done in the past. This man is praising his children for turning in thought criminals, yet he is there because he is supposidly against the Party. It is twisted in every way.
Soon after Parson's removal to the dreaded room 101, another prisoner is thrown into the cell. His frail appearance is terrifying to Winston who feels now as though he is being starved. This man is wasting away and when a fellow prisoner finally offers him a piece of bread he doesn't take it because he knows what will happen if he does. Suddenly a brutal man storms into the room and bludgens the giver of the bread with his trencheon. What I want to know is why the Party doesn't search its criminals' pockets. It would seem the logical thing to do so that bread doesn't get smuggled in to be fed to their prisoners.
After this incident, an officer comes to take away the starving man to room 101. Here we see just how horrible 101 must be because this brittle man throws himself at the mercy of the officer and heavily importunes him not to go there. He even tries to make them take in one of the other cell members in an attempt to escape this room. In the end he doesn't win against the healthy, strong officer. All he really succeeds in doing is making everyone else in the cell more horrified.
A time comes when Winston is all alone in the cell. The white light is inducing faintness and the position he's in on the bench is highly uncomfortable. These are definitely stress techniques which are apparently timeless because they're similar to some of the things done at Guantanamo Bay. In fact, this whole situatation is eerily similar to Guantanamo Bay - innocent people being questioned under harsh conditions with little sleep and loads of stress. It creates a forced confession.
Suddenly, Winston hears the boots approaching again and this time it's O'brien. I wonder what it is about Winston that is so special to O'brien. I'm sure O'brien catches many of these criminals through his tricks, but why is Winston important enough to deserve a special word before he's taken away? Is it because he is so overtly against the party that O'brien considers him a more important case?
From his cell, Winston is taken to room 101. It is in deed as horrible as it was foreshaddowed to be. The torture afflicted upon Winston was beyond gruesome and I had a hard time reading it. As a result of the brutality, Winston confesses to anything asked of him yet the torture still continues. It appears to be never-ending but then O'brien comes into the room. It is at this time that we finally learn why the Party tortures its prisoners the way that they do.
O'brien explains that he could care less about what Winston says or confesses, but he wants him to believe in what he's confessing. People never leave the Ministry without a clean mind which believes in the Party whether they're going back to Oceania life or being shot. The goal is to believe that two plus two equals five. One quote sticks out in my mind that was said to Winston presumably by O'brien, "For seven years I have watched over you. Now the turning point has come. I shall save you." I don't think this was a quote meaning 'I will save you from this torture,' but instead, a quote meaning 'I will save you from your (antiParty) thoughts.'
When O'brien is questioning Winston, he asks him questions about his memory. He then pulls out the picture Winston came across of the three convicted men whom Winston knew were innocent of the crimes. This picture is years old, yet they have been saving it. Has the Party been planning this moment for years? Just waiting for the right time to take Winston in and "save" his mind?
It is at the end of the chapter that one of the most horriffic events takes place. The doctor places a machine on Winston's head and O'brien begins to ask questions. What is so scary is that Winston is at a state where he doesn't know the correct answer, but they are somehow brainwashing him. He is starting to believe like they do, only not by choice. It completely goes against what he was telling Julia earlier about the Party - that they could make you say anything but never believe it. He no longer has any control over his life and I don't know what's worse for him, if he lives or if he dies.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
1984 pages 179 -224 Week 6
Well, Winston finally has "the book" in his posession. When he finally gets a chance to read it, it's not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting some sort of book of plans and rules of the brotherhood but it wasn't. At first the book appeared to be some sort of brainwashing book, but then, as Winston read further, I didn't even know what to call it. It's not a guide line for how to be in the Party or Brotherhood, it just tells how the Party came about and why things are the way they are. Informative? Yes. Interesting? Not really. Winston makes the comment that "the best books are those that tell you what you know already." I must say that I disagree with his thinking. While some instances were new, most of the book consisted of what I (and Winston) had already concluded.
One of the things that the book did teach me which I found interesting was the reason why war was happening. It's a way to oppress the people and gain control over labor power. I was also surprised to hear that Eastasia, Eurasia, and Oceania were all allies. I had been confused about the triangle all throughout the book and I hadn't even imagined that it was a conspiracy/plan of the three countries.
The book also helped me to better understand the slogan: IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. The book says that people will never rebell because they are given no reason to. By not allowing the people to even know that there's a better life, they have no reason to rebell because they think what they have is as good as it gets.
Within the IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH chapter, the perfect Party member is described as one who can tell a blatent lie and actually believe it. It also says that at age 16 teenagers will be evaluated to see where they fall in the party. This makes me wonder why Julia isn't an Inner Party member. She appears to have been leading the life of a model party member for many years and it seems kind of strange that she wouldn't be an Inner Party member.
Something that I took as foreshaddowing throughout "the book" was the emphasis on the high, middle, and low classes. It is explained that the only way the 'high' can be overthrown, as shown in history, is when the middle class feels oppressed enough to rebell. It also illudes to the fact that the Proles (Low class) could never rebell because they are too dumb. However, I think that the Proles are planning something. For example, the woman singing is comparable to a free bird. She must have a reason to be feeling free. The Proles make up 85% of the population and I don't find it inconceivable that they could overthrow the Party.
After reading the IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH chapter to Julia aloud, Winston discovers that she was asleep most of the time. After taking a nap he wakes her and they go stand by the window watching the Prole woman sing. It is here that the telescreen speaks back to them. It repeats everything they say and then the picture falls off the wall and it's revealed that the telescreen has actually been behind it the entire time. Police men begin barging into the room where Winston and Julia have been staying for so long now.
The picture that Orwell creates in this scene is absolutely horrible for me. The police are so bestial and violent, yet Winston and Julia can't do anything about it. It's been obvious that this moment was coming for a long time, but I didn't want it to. There was definite foreshaddowing in the room that day in the way everything was so calm and Julia's remark about the cold (death). In my opinion, the worst part of the attack was when they carried Julia away and Winston said he never saw her again. For some reason I figured they would meet up later, but I guess the police don't have a reason to put them together.
As Winston is being drug down the stairs Mr. Charrington is staring back at him, though his appearance has completely changed. Winston finally realizes that he's actually a member of the thought police. I have been pulling for Winston throughout the entire book, but I kind of questioned his stupidity. Did he really think that he everything was going to be easy because he found a secret room? I suppose it is possible that he knew something was't right with the antique shop and wanted to die, but I really believe he was clueless about the situation.
One of the things that the book did teach me which I found interesting was the reason why war was happening. It's a way to oppress the people and gain control over labor power. I was also surprised to hear that Eastasia, Eurasia, and Oceania were all allies. I had been confused about the triangle all throughout the book and I hadn't even imagined that it was a conspiracy/plan of the three countries.
The book also helped me to better understand the slogan: IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. The book says that people will never rebell because they are given no reason to. By not allowing the people to even know that there's a better life, they have no reason to rebell because they think what they have is as good as it gets.
Within the IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH chapter, the perfect Party member is described as one who can tell a blatent lie and actually believe it. It also says that at age 16 teenagers will be evaluated to see where they fall in the party. This makes me wonder why Julia isn't an Inner Party member. She appears to have been leading the life of a model party member for many years and it seems kind of strange that she wouldn't be an Inner Party member.
Something that I took as foreshaddowing throughout "the book" was the emphasis on the high, middle, and low classes. It is explained that the only way the 'high' can be overthrown, as shown in history, is when the middle class feels oppressed enough to rebell. It also illudes to the fact that the Proles (Low class) could never rebell because they are too dumb. However, I think that the Proles are planning something. For example, the woman singing is comparable to a free bird. She must have a reason to be feeling free. The Proles make up 85% of the population and I don't find it inconceivable that they could overthrow the Party.
After reading the IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH chapter to Julia aloud, Winston discovers that she was asleep most of the time. After taking a nap he wakes her and they go stand by the window watching the Prole woman sing. It is here that the telescreen speaks back to them. It repeats everything they say and then the picture falls off the wall and it's revealed that the telescreen has actually been behind it the entire time. Police men begin barging into the room where Winston and Julia have been staying for so long now.
The picture that Orwell creates in this scene is absolutely horrible for me. The police are so bestial and violent, yet Winston and Julia can't do anything about it. It's been obvious that this moment was coming for a long time, but I didn't want it to. There was definite foreshaddowing in the room that day in the way everything was so calm and Julia's remark about the cold (death). In my opinion, the worst part of the attack was when they carried Julia away and Winston said he never saw her again. For some reason I figured they would meet up later, but I guess the police don't have a reason to put them together.
As Winston is being drug down the stairs Mr. Charrington is staring back at him, though his appearance has completely changed. Winston finally realizes that he's actually a member of the thought police. I have been pulling for Winston throughout the entire book, but I kind of questioned his stupidity. Did he really think that he everything was going to be easy because he found a secret room? I suppose it is possible that he knew something was't right with the antique shop and wanted to die, but I really believe he was clueless about the situation.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
1984 pages 157 - 179 week 5
"At last they were face to face, and it seemed that his only impulse was to run away." The 'they' being spoken of here is Winston and O'Brien. The day finally came that O'Brien approached Winston. He brings up the topic of Winston's Newspeak skills and how he writes it very elegantly. O'Brien then invites Winston into his office where he actually gives directions to his house to pick up a Newspeak dictionary. The entire time, Winston is incredibly nervous about what it could possibly mean. As of this point the reader does not know that O'Brien is indeed a member of the Brotherhood and his motives are still questionable. However, from the feelings Winston gives off, it's easy to draw a conclusion that O'Brien is indeed a good man.
In the next section, Winston wakes up with tears in his eyes from a dream he's had. This time, his dream is much more specific and the reader gets to learn about his past. In the period of Winston's dream, the Revolution is just starting. It is a time prior to food rations and total control. It is revealed that Winston's father left at a young age and that his mother, though she fulfilled her duties, became quite depressed. However, Winston was at an age where he was selfish and ignorant to the feelings of others around him. I partly understand young Winston's point of view because he was at a naive age and had grown up with an okay life prior to the war. However, I also agree with Julia and think him to be a "swine" for the way he behaved with his mother and how he treated his sister.
Winston recalls how his mother would hold his sister and "give her love because that's all she had to give" and this sparks an epiphany within Winston. The main lesson Winston, as well as the reader, learns is that the government may be able to control what the Party members do, but the government cannot control their thoughts. I thought this was a very powerful "A-ha" moment that Winston had. I've been thinking the same thought through the entire book and I'm glad Winston finally realized the true power of the party.
I feel that one of the most significant parts of this epiphany is when Winston actually breaks through to Julia. She's beginning to follow him on another level than the one she's been taught by the party. Her accepting the fact that the party can never make her believe their skewed views is almost touching. At the same time, though, I still don't buy that she's been completely converted to Winston's views.
In the next section, we find Winston and Julia at O'Brien's house. When they first enter the house , O'Brien acts oddly disinterested in them, but then the telescreen goes off. As of this moment, Winston doesn't even know what to say. Still, nothing has been confirmed to him that O'brien is a Brotherhood member. The tension and fright of this awkward silence made me really feel the nervousness that Winston was going through. Finally Winston just put everything out in the open about who he thought O'Brien truly was. It turns out that Winston has been right all along and that he was actually accosted for the purpose of joining the Brotherhood.
From there, O'Brien goes into an entire list of questions - some expected some morbid. For example: "If, for example, it would somehow serve our interests to throw sulphuric acid in a child's face - are you prepared to do that?" Winston's reply: "Yes." I suppose it just shows the desperation that Winston has been facing all these years for a way out of the Party life.
Another question posed to Winston is if he and Julia would be able to seperate from each other if the conditions imposed. Julia quickly answers no which I find kind of intriguing. She's been with numerous men prior to Winston, so it almost shocked me to find out she loved him that much - especially considering that she falls asleep whenever Winston talks about something that interests him. What I find most interesting about this, though, is that I belive Winston would have answered yes to the question. I think he is so desperate to be apart of the Brotherhood that he would not say anything which would possibly risk not getting in.
Following the previous question, O'Brien explains that some Brotherhood members actually end up having to undergo a reconstructive surgery for protection and survival. They then start over a new life with their appearance and voice unrecognizeable. One thought popped into my head (and I realize you probably think I'm crazy already) is that maybe Julia is actually Katherine. The way he was bringing Katherine up around Julia followed by this surgery revelation actually does lead me to wonder if Julia is really Katherine with a new outlook on life...
O'Brien then goes on to tell what the Brotherhood is all about. Obviously it is extremely secretive, but it is also untraceable. Each member only knows of 3 or 4 other members so it can never be diminished. It is also revealed that Goldstein is a real man who is alive and is the leader of the Brotherhood. It only adds to the irony of "Big Brother is Watching You." First off, the Party knows that Big Brother does exist. Second, they use it as negative propaganda when really they're the ones watching people, not Big Brother.
After a couple glasses of wine, which Winston doesn't even enjoy, (because the party's heavy gin is the only thing which will put him in a haze) Winston leaves the house. O'Brien turns on the telescreen and everything goes back to normal. What I wonder is if, other than reading the Brotherhood book, Winston will actually be apart of something bigger. How much will being in the Brotherhood change his life if he has to keep it a secret and continue to life among the Party members? Never-the-less, he still has a new perspective on his life which will continue to give him hope as he goes on with his life.
In the next section, Winston wakes up with tears in his eyes from a dream he's had. This time, his dream is much more specific and the reader gets to learn about his past. In the period of Winston's dream, the Revolution is just starting. It is a time prior to food rations and total control. It is revealed that Winston's father left at a young age and that his mother, though she fulfilled her duties, became quite depressed. However, Winston was at an age where he was selfish and ignorant to the feelings of others around him. I partly understand young Winston's point of view because he was at a naive age and had grown up with an okay life prior to the war. However, I also agree with Julia and think him to be a "swine" for the way he behaved with his mother and how he treated his sister.
Winston recalls how his mother would hold his sister and "give her love because that's all she had to give" and this sparks an epiphany within Winston. The main lesson Winston, as well as the reader, learns is that the government may be able to control what the Party members do, but the government cannot control their thoughts. I thought this was a very powerful "A-ha" moment that Winston had. I've been thinking the same thought through the entire book and I'm glad Winston finally realized the true power of the party.
I feel that one of the most significant parts of this epiphany is when Winston actually breaks through to Julia. She's beginning to follow him on another level than the one she's been taught by the party. Her accepting the fact that the party can never make her believe their skewed views is almost touching. At the same time, though, I still don't buy that she's been completely converted to Winston's views.
In the next section, we find Winston and Julia at O'Brien's house. When they first enter the house , O'Brien acts oddly disinterested in them, but then the telescreen goes off. As of this moment, Winston doesn't even know what to say. Still, nothing has been confirmed to him that O'brien is a Brotherhood member. The tension and fright of this awkward silence made me really feel the nervousness that Winston was going through. Finally Winston just put everything out in the open about who he thought O'Brien truly was. It turns out that Winston has been right all along and that he was actually accosted for the purpose of joining the Brotherhood.
From there, O'Brien goes into an entire list of questions - some expected some morbid. For example: "If, for example, it would somehow serve our interests to throw sulphuric acid in a child's face - are you prepared to do that?" Winston's reply: "Yes." I suppose it just shows the desperation that Winston has been facing all these years for a way out of the Party life.
Another question posed to Winston is if he and Julia would be able to seperate from each other if the conditions imposed. Julia quickly answers no which I find kind of intriguing. She's been with numerous men prior to Winston, so it almost shocked me to find out she loved him that much - especially considering that she falls asleep whenever Winston talks about something that interests him. What I find most interesting about this, though, is that I belive Winston would have answered yes to the question. I think he is so desperate to be apart of the Brotherhood that he would not say anything which would possibly risk not getting in.
Following the previous question, O'Brien explains that some Brotherhood members actually end up having to undergo a reconstructive surgery for protection and survival. They then start over a new life with their appearance and voice unrecognizeable. One thought popped into my head (and I realize you probably think I'm crazy already) is that maybe Julia is actually Katherine. The way he was bringing Katherine up around Julia followed by this surgery revelation actually does lead me to wonder if Julia is really Katherine with a new outlook on life...
O'Brien then goes on to tell what the Brotherhood is all about. Obviously it is extremely secretive, but it is also untraceable. Each member only knows of 3 or 4 other members so it can never be diminished. It is also revealed that Goldstein is a real man who is alive and is the leader of the Brotherhood. It only adds to the irony of "Big Brother is Watching You." First off, the Party knows that Big Brother does exist. Second, they use it as negative propaganda when really they're the ones watching people, not Big Brother.
After a couple glasses of wine, which Winston doesn't even enjoy, (because the party's heavy gin is the only thing which will put him in a haze) Winston leaves the house. O'Brien turns on the telescreen and everything goes back to normal. What I wonder is if, other than reading the Brotherhood book, Winston will actually be apart of something bigger. How much will being in the Brotherhood change his life if he has to keep it a secret and continue to life among the Party members? Never-the-less, he still has a new perspective on his life which will continue to give him hope as he goes on with his life.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
1984 pages 117 - 151 (Week 4)
This section begins with Winston going to the place Julia gave him directions to. It is their first private meeting together and Winston is truly excited about it. At this point in the relationship, I don't know if Winston is as in love with Julia as she claims to be with him, though. I think he still feels that sexual desire toward her and that is why he's so elated. It might sound crazy, but I'm pretty sure even the nature around him is pointing to a sexual desire. For example, "The 'bluebells' were so thick underfoot that it was impossible not to tread on them." (bluebells = blue balls) As he is picking the flowers for her, she comes up behind him and takes him through a path in the woods.
While they are navigating, Winston realizes that she's never actually seen him up close in the light before and he starts to become nervous about what she'll think of him - so nervous that he's hardly able to speak to her once they reach the clearing. However, after some small talk he moves closer to her actually says something romantic, "Would you believe that till this moment I didn't know what color your eyes were?" We've never seen this side of Winston before, but it just shows that the loving side of him hasn't been completely stripped away.
Following that line, we see the more insecure side of Winston when he asks if Julia can even bear to look at him and then lists his multiple faults. However, Julia doesn't care that he's not perfect and in the next instant, they are kissing! I was almost elated for Winston when I read this passage because finally, he's getting something he wants in life and this is the first step towards happiness. Then, after I thought about it a little more, I realized that it might not be such a good thing for Winston to become happy because that is the first step toward vaporization. I don't know if it's really foreshaddowing or not, but I don't believe anything good is coming for Winston.
What's somewhat ironic about the situation is that Winston has wanted to have sex with Julia since the first time he saw her and now he finally has his chance and he lacks the desire to. This means little to Julia at this point who is already calling him 'dear' as if they've known each other and been together for a long time. (another ironic instance considering he doesn't even know her name until a few lines later) What's really nice about the relationship is that Winston feels no need to tell any lies to her. He's so open as to say that he wanted to "rape her and murder her afterwards." It's humorous to me because she actually laughs delightedly at this. I probably wouldn't be laughing if, on our first date, a man told me he wanted to rape and kill me - that's more of a third date revelation...It just shows the world they are living in is so incredibly warped. If they were given freedom I don't think they'd even know what to do with it because their minds aren't even alarmed with many things that they probably should be.
As Winston and Julia are talking, she gives him a piece of chocolate which she bought on the black market. She then goes on to describe what a good party member she makes herself appear to be. In essence, she's involved in everything, but doesn't believe in any of it; it stands only only for protection. I wonder how many people are like Julia. She can't be the only one doing this, just as Winston can't be the only one with partial memories of the past.
After conversing, they decide it's time to leave the clearing. On their way, Winston can't help but feel he's seen this place before. When they get to the end of their path, he asks if there is a river and there is! It's like his dream. Suddenly a bird comes flying by and Winston and Julia stop to watch it sing. Obviously this bird is meant to represent a freeing of Winston's sexuality (HTRLLAP: birds = flying, flying = freedom) because they are soon kissing with a softness which was not there the first time. They then go back into the clearing to do the deed. Julia, it turns out, is definitely not a good model for the Jr. Anti-Sex League because she reveals that she's done it scores of times with other party members. This actually turns Winston on even more because its such a difference from his previous wife Katherine.
Before they actually do it, Winston makes a statement which screams irony: "I hate purity, I hate goodness. I don't want any virtue to exist anywhere. I want everyone to be corrupt to the bones." In reality, nothing about the party is pure or good. He wants true human nature which is considered to be a virtueless thing to the party.
The next section begins with Julia awakening from her slumber. She soon becomes business like and starts planning their next meeting place. I almost wonder, seeing as how she's been with many men prior to Winston, if he actually means as much to her as she says. Is Winston just another notch on her belt? Will she see him for a while and then break up with him? Anyway...after she gives Winston the plan she takes off to hand out leaflets for the Anti Sex League, which I must say is quite humorous.
As the section moves on, we find out more about Julia's character as they talk in an old church. She's 26 years old which makes her 13 years Winston's junior. I think this is part of the reason why she is so lively. She has had to live 13 years less as a party member and has no real reccolection of the past before the revolution. One thing that kind of strikes me about her character is that she doesn't believe that any organized revolt against the party could ever take place. She just accepts the party for what it is and is satisfied with breaking the rules. This is another reason why I feel she wouldn't know what to do with freedom if she got it. And, not to get all personal / political, but I think this is part of the reason why we aren't having much of a success rate in Iraq. The people have grown up with those views their entire life and just accept them for what they are. To try and give them freedom is to try changing their culture and what they've always known.
Still in the church, Winston tells Julia of Katherine and how she would always make him do "his duty to the party." This does not shock Julia, for she has had it taught to her her entire life. She says that it works in most cases but you can't always tell because people are "such hypocrites." Another strong instance of irony here because she preaches anti sex to others and yet she's had numerous affairs.
Winston's mind drifts back to him and Katherine in the early part of their marriage. They were lost on a community hike and Winston noticed flowers growing below a cliff and even Katherine came over to look at them. Something I find interesting about this book is that Orwell creates such a dark and grim picture of what London looks like and I get like a sense that everything lacks color and beauty because the party controlls everything. However, the one thing the party cannot control is the universe and nature around them. It's spring and the sky is blue and sunny, flowers are around them, things are blossoming. Early on I made a comment that the leaders of the party were looked at as gods. But really they are no more powerful than any other party member and they can't stop natural beauty from occurring.
In the next section we are taken back to the little room above the antique shop. Winston has struck a deal with Mr. Charrington to use the room for his affair in exchange for money. When Julia gets to the room, she is carrying a bag of goodies for her and Winston to share such as real coffee, sugar, tea, and chocolate. But the real treat is the makeup she has. She is just as excited about it as Winston is. She says in the room she will be a woman who wears heels and dresses and makeup! As of now, this room is a complete escape from the grim world they are living in and they must take full advantage! Of course Winston is wondering where she found everything and she says it came from the inner party members. Proof they are living the high life while the people below them suffer.
As they are laying in bed together, a rat runs across the room and they begin to discuss the unsanitary conditions of London. Attention then is turned toward the picture of the church. Mrs. Hurlbert kind of gave it away that there's something behind it, but there is definite foreshaddowing here. Julia states "I bet that picture's got bugs behind it," referring to actual bugs. What she doesn't realize is that there's a different type of bug, a microphone, behind it.
In the next section preparations for Hate Week have begun. A new 'Hate Song' has been released and banners have been placed everywhere. Even a new propaganda poster has appeared and effigies of Goldstein have been burnt. Really, though, it's all in vein. Who are they hating? Are they even at war or does the party just want them to think that?
As the section continues, we find out that Winston is no longer drinking heavily, he's stopped having coughing fits, and his ulcer has subsided. I guess the Beatles were right when they sang "All You Need is Love." Love and companionship really are necessary for a human to live properly. What I wonder is how long will it be before people start to pick up on Winston's sudden changes?
Another thing I find quite interesting about Julia is that she does not care about what propaganda the party is putting out and what lies they are telling. She knows that things aren't true and therefore she doesn't feel a need to be concerned with them. In some ways I agree with this because obviously her life has been much more pleasant than Winston's because she doesn't get caught up in what's true or false. However, she knows nothing other than lies so subconsciously her life will always be centered around them.
While they are navigating, Winston realizes that she's never actually seen him up close in the light before and he starts to become nervous about what she'll think of him - so nervous that he's hardly able to speak to her once they reach the clearing. However, after some small talk he moves closer to her actually says something romantic, "Would you believe that till this moment I didn't know what color your eyes were?" We've never seen this side of Winston before, but it just shows that the loving side of him hasn't been completely stripped away.
Following that line, we see the more insecure side of Winston when he asks if Julia can even bear to look at him and then lists his multiple faults. However, Julia doesn't care that he's not perfect and in the next instant, they are kissing! I was almost elated for Winston when I read this passage because finally, he's getting something he wants in life and this is the first step towards happiness. Then, after I thought about it a little more, I realized that it might not be such a good thing for Winston to become happy because that is the first step toward vaporization. I don't know if it's really foreshaddowing or not, but I don't believe anything good is coming for Winston.
What's somewhat ironic about the situation is that Winston has wanted to have sex with Julia since the first time he saw her and now he finally has his chance and he lacks the desire to. This means little to Julia at this point who is already calling him 'dear' as if they've known each other and been together for a long time. (another ironic instance considering he doesn't even know her name until a few lines later) What's really nice about the relationship is that Winston feels no need to tell any lies to her. He's so open as to say that he wanted to "rape her and murder her afterwards." It's humorous to me because she actually laughs delightedly at this. I probably wouldn't be laughing if, on our first date, a man told me he wanted to rape and kill me - that's more of a third date revelation...It just shows the world they are living in is so incredibly warped. If they were given freedom I don't think they'd even know what to do with it because their minds aren't even alarmed with many things that they probably should be.
As Winston and Julia are talking, she gives him a piece of chocolate which she bought on the black market. She then goes on to describe what a good party member she makes herself appear to be. In essence, she's involved in everything, but doesn't believe in any of it; it stands only only for protection. I wonder how many people are like Julia. She can't be the only one doing this, just as Winston can't be the only one with partial memories of the past.
After conversing, they decide it's time to leave the clearing. On their way, Winston can't help but feel he's seen this place before. When they get to the end of their path, he asks if there is a river and there is! It's like his dream. Suddenly a bird comes flying by and Winston and Julia stop to watch it sing. Obviously this bird is meant to represent a freeing of Winston's sexuality (HTRLLAP: birds = flying, flying = freedom) because they are soon kissing with a softness which was not there the first time. They then go back into the clearing to do the deed. Julia, it turns out, is definitely not a good model for the Jr. Anti-Sex League because she reveals that she's done it scores of times with other party members. This actually turns Winston on even more because its such a difference from his previous wife Katherine.
Before they actually do it, Winston makes a statement which screams irony: "I hate purity, I hate goodness. I don't want any virtue to exist anywhere. I want everyone to be corrupt to the bones." In reality, nothing about the party is pure or good. He wants true human nature which is considered to be a virtueless thing to the party.
The next section begins with Julia awakening from her slumber. She soon becomes business like and starts planning their next meeting place. I almost wonder, seeing as how she's been with many men prior to Winston, if he actually means as much to her as she says. Is Winston just another notch on her belt? Will she see him for a while and then break up with him? Anyway...after she gives Winston the plan she takes off to hand out leaflets for the Anti Sex League, which I must say is quite humorous.
As the section moves on, we find out more about Julia's character as they talk in an old church. She's 26 years old which makes her 13 years Winston's junior. I think this is part of the reason why she is so lively. She has had to live 13 years less as a party member and has no real reccolection of the past before the revolution. One thing that kind of strikes me about her character is that she doesn't believe that any organized revolt against the party could ever take place. She just accepts the party for what it is and is satisfied with breaking the rules. This is another reason why I feel she wouldn't know what to do with freedom if she got it. And, not to get all personal / political, but I think this is part of the reason why we aren't having much of a success rate in Iraq. The people have grown up with those views their entire life and just accept them for what they are. To try and give them freedom is to try changing their culture and what they've always known.
Still in the church, Winston tells Julia of Katherine and how she would always make him do "his duty to the party." This does not shock Julia, for she has had it taught to her her entire life. She says that it works in most cases but you can't always tell because people are "such hypocrites." Another strong instance of irony here because she preaches anti sex to others and yet she's had numerous affairs.
Winston's mind drifts back to him and Katherine in the early part of their marriage. They were lost on a community hike and Winston noticed flowers growing below a cliff and even Katherine came over to look at them. Something I find interesting about this book is that Orwell creates such a dark and grim picture of what London looks like and I get like a sense that everything lacks color and beauty because the party controlls everything. However, the one thing the party cannot control is the universe and nature around them. It's spring and the sky is blue and sunny, flowers are around them, things are blossoming. Early on I made a comment that the leaders of the party were looked at as gods. But really they are no more powerful than any other party member and they can't stop natural beauty from occurring.
In the next section we are taken back to the little room above the antique shop. Winston has struck a deal with Mr. Charrington to use the room for his affair in exchange for money. When Julia gets to the room, she is carrying a bag of goodies for her and Winston to share such as real coffee, sugar, tea, and chocolate. But the real treat is the makeup she has. She is just as excited about it as Winston is. She says in the room she will be a woman who wears heels and dresses and makeup! As of now, this room is a complete escape from the grim world they are living in and they must take full advantage! Of course Winston is wondering where she found everything and she says it came from the inner party members. Proof they are living the high life while the people below them suffer.
As they are laying in bed together, a rat runs across the room and they begin to discuss the unsanitary conditions of London. Attention then is turned toward the picture of the church. Mrs. Hurlbert kind of gave it away that there's something behind it, but there is definite foreshaddowing here. Julia states "I bet that picture's got bugs behind it," referring to actual bugs. What she doesn't realize is that there's a different type of bug, a microphone, behind it.
In the next section preparations for Hate Week have begun. A new 'Hate Song' has been released and banners have been placed everywhere. Even a new propaganda poster has appeared and effigies of Goldstein have been burnt. Really, though, it's all in vein. Who are they hating? Are they even at war or does the party just want them to think that?
As the section continues, we find out that Winston is no longer drinking heavily, he's stopped having coughing fits, and his ulcer has subsided. I guess the Beatles were right when they sang "All You Need is Love." Love and companionship really are necessary for a human to live properly. What I wonder is how long will it be before people start to pick up on Winston's sudden changes?
Another thing I find quite interesting about Julia is that she does not care about what propaganda the party is putting out and what lies they are telling. She knows that things aren't true and therefore she doesn't feel a need to be concerned with them. In some ways I agree with this because obviously her life has been much more pleasant than Winston's because she doesn't get caught up in what's true or false. However, she knows nothing other than lies so subconsciously her life will always be centered around them.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
1984 pages 81 - 117 Week 3
This section opens with Winston walking through a strange new place. It's stated that he has walked several kilometers to get there and as he continues walking, it doesn't take long to figure out that he is among the proles. When his surroundings are described (the smell of real coffee, people without uniform, etc) it's as though he has entered into a completely different world - one which reminds him of his childhood. While he walks through the streets of the proles, everyone keeps an eye on him because of his blue uniform. The thing which causes him to blend in with the rest of his peers in one place does the exact antithesis here. As far as the proles are concerned, little Winston is a threat.
By being in this different territory Winston is risking his life, not only because he could get caught, but also because of the bombings that occur. It kind of gets me wondering if this country really at war with Eurasia or if they're just saying that. Though, it's clear that they're at war with their own people. After the bomb hits, Winston gets up and keeps on walking. As he goes, he sees a hand severed at the wrist and kicks it into the gutter. In many ways, I don't think that Winston is any different than the rest of the party members. Yes, he tries to avoid the public hangings, but at the same time, he shows the same lack of regard for human life as the rest of the party members.
As Winston continues to explore, he comes across an elderly man whom he thinks could give him some real answers about the past. Unfortunately this man is quite old and quite drunk. The answers that Winston receives are basically meaningless because they don't pertain to society in general.
After speaking with the old man, Winston leaves the bar and sees the antique shop where he purchased the diary. With a nervousness inside himself he enters the shop where the man recognizes him almost instantly. The man begins showing him some of his antiques from before the war. I believe that many of Winston's answers to the past lie within this shop if something could possibly trigger him. After perusing for a while and finding an item, Winston is taken upstairs by the owner. What he finds looks like a paradise. A complete bedroom set up with no telescreen. Something that strikes me is that the owner says he's never had a telescreen because he could never afford one and never saw a need for it. This is another reason why I think Winston is on the same level as the rest of the party members. At one point, he obviously felt a need for the telescreen or else he wouldn't own one. For a moment, Winston contemplates living there, but the idea is shut out of his mind when he realizes that it would be impossible to do so without getting caught.
When Winston leaves the shop he's somewhat fearful because of the item he has brought back with him. What he sees as he's walking home is quite terrifying. The girl who's been following him and watching him has followed him here. The first thought that comes to Winston's mind is killing her and the only reason he doesn't is because she's probably stronger than him. That night he arrives home and describes what it's like to be vaporized. The gov. doesn't just come and take you and kill you, they torture you prior to death. Winston contemplates suicide, but he doesn't go through with it because there's nothing that would make his death easy. Winston doesn't end up vaporized and the next time we see him is at work a few days later.
It is here that he sees the girl again. Her arm is in a sling and as they are walking toward each other, she falls down. Winston actually helps her up despite who he thinks she is and after she walks away, he realizes that she's stuck a note in his hand. Carefully he takes it back to his desk and waits diligently so he can read it without being discovered. When he does finally read it, the words written are a shock to him and also myself. It says "I love you" and Winston doesn't even know what to think about it. He's so stunned that he has to read it multiple times to make sure he's correct. Instantly the wheels start turning in his head and he wonders if it's a set up or if she really does like him. He decides to take the chance and try to talk to her again but it's many days before this chance comes.
Every day in the canteen, Winston wants to go sit by her, but he can't seem to get to her first. I find myself rooting for this poor guy, but nothing goes well for him. Finally Winston gets a moment to sit with her alone, but when he reaches her, he can't speak. Luckily she takes charge and they develop a way that they can meet.
It is in the public square that they get to meet up with each other. They have to wait for precisely the right moment when the crowd is heavy so that they won't be picked up by a telescreen. Their time comes when a convoy of Eurasian prisoners (I guess they are fighting the war) are being driven by and a crowd forms and begins booing at them. It is here when Winston is fighting through the mob that we see a stronger side of Winston, one which is more assertive and willing to fight for what he wants. For a breef moment his meekness is gone. Once he finally reaches the girl, they can't even look at each other, but she gives him directions for a place they can meet up. As they continue to look straight ahead, their hands clasp in the bestial crowd and they share a moment which is all their own. It only took 117 pages for something nice to happen to Winston.
By being in this different territory Winston is risking his life, not only because he could get caught, but also because of the bombings that occur. It kind of gets me wondering if this country really at war with Eurasia or if they're just saying that. Though, it's clear that they're at war with their own people. After the bomb hits, Winston gets up and keeps on walking. As he goes, he sees a hand severed at the wrist and kicks it into the gutter. In many ways, I don't think that Winston is any different than the rest of the party members. Yes, he tries to avoid the public hangings, but at the same time, he shows the same lack of regard for human life as the rest of the party members.
As Winston continues to explore, he comes across an elderly man whom he thinks could give him some real answers about the past. Unfortunately this man is quite old and quite drunk. The answers that Winston receives are basically meaningless because they don't pertain to society in general.
After speaking with the old man, Winston leaves the bar and sees the antique shop where he purchased the diary. With a nervousness inside himself he enters the shop where the man recognizes him almost instantly. The man begins showing him some of his antiques from before the war. I believe that many of Winston's answers to the past lie within this shop if something could possibly trigger him. After perusing for a while and finding an item, Winston is taken upstairs by the owner. What he finds looks like a paradise. A complete bedroom set up with no telescreen. Something that strikes me is that the owner says he's never had a telescreen because he could never afford one and never saw a need for it. This is another reason why I think Winston is on the same level as the rest of the party members. At one point, he obviously felt a need for the telescreen or else he wouldn't own one. For a moment, Winston contemplates living there, but the idea is shut out of his mind when he realizes that it would be impossible to do so without getting caught.
When Winston leaves the shop he's somewhat fearful because of the item he has brought back with him. What he sees as he's walking home is quite terrifying. The girl who's been following him and watching him has followed him here. The first thought that comes to Winston's mind is killing her and the only reason he doesn't is because she's probably stronger than him. That night he arrives home and describes what it's like to be vaporized. The gov. doesn't just come and take you and kill you, they torture you prior to death. Winston contemplates suicide, but he doesn't go through with it because there's nothing that would make his death easy. Winston doesn't end up vaporized and the next time we see him is at work a few days later.
It is here that he sees the girl again. Her arm is in a sling and as they are walking toward each other, she falls down. Winston actually helps her up despite who he thinks she is and after she walks away, he realizes that she's stuck a note in his hand. Carefully he takes it back to his desk and waits diligently so he can read it without being discovered. When he does finally read it, the words written are a shock to him and also myself. It says "I love you" and Winston doesn't even know what to think about it. He's so stunned that he has to read it multiple times to make sure he's correct. Instantly the wheels start turning in his head and he wonders if it's a set up or if she really does like him. He decides to take the chance and try to talk to her again but it's many days before this chance comes.
Every day in the canteen, Winston wants to go sit by her, but he can't seem to get to her first. I find myself rooting for this poor guy, but nothing goes well for him. Finally Winston gets a moment to sit with her alone, but when he reaches her, he can't speak. Luckily she takes charge and they develop a way that they can meet.
It is in the public square that they get to meet up with each other. They have to wait for precisely the right moment when the crowd is heavy so that they won't be picked up by a telescreen. Their time comes when a convoy of Eurasian prisoners (I guess they are fighting the war) are being driven by and a crowd forms and begins booing at them. It is here when Winston is fighting through the mob that we see a stronger side of Winston, one which is more assertive and willing to fight for what he wants. For a breef moment his meekness is gone. Once he finally reaches the girl, they can't even look at each other, but she gives him directions for a place they can meet up. As they continue to look straight ahead, their hands clasp in the bestial crowd and they share a moment which is all their own. It only took 117 pages for something nice to happen to Winston.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)