"Death is nature's remedy for all things." Dicken's stated this at the beginning of this weeks reading and it struck me as perhaps the most ironic yet true statement I have come across thus far in this book. I have never heard of death referred to in such a way, but I do believe in what he is saying. Telson's bank is described, and I was surprised to find that it was made out to be a very dirty and rundown place.
We are introduced to Mr. Cruncher, and a woman I presumed to be his wife. I found this household to be very strange, for first off, Mr. Cruncher was very angry at her for praying, and for making his boots muddy? How did she make them muddy? Also, why did he think that she didn't want him to make any money? I was left with many questions after reading about the Cruncher family, but hopefully it will come together and make more sense soon.
As I read about the court and how the people were so intent on watching the criminal and his trial like it was a form of entertainment, it reminded me of 1984 in where people have no concern for others and their well being.
Jerry and young Jerry both made mentions to the rust under Jerry's fingers. I feel that this definatly has some symbolism, for young Jerry made the point to ask "how does he get so much rust under them, he doesn't get it from being the odd-job man" ... so what does it mean, what does it tell us about Jerry??
This whole trial was a bit confusing, but in the end, I think that Miss Manette and her father had the proof that Mr. Darnay was committing treason, but since he helped them, they didn't really want to accuse him. Or perhaps, Mr. Darnay wasn't really a criminal at all??
It was very ironic when Mr. Darney joked that George Washington might gain almost as great of name as King George. This was thought of as to be a "monsterous joke", but in reality we all know that George Washington did achieve such a name. This goes to show how much easier and helpful it is when reading a book like this to know your history!!
So, at the end of the trial, he is acquitted, but why? They were so sure he would be sentenced to death that before the trial even started they prepared various methods of death.
My other question about the end of the tiral is when Mr. Lorry hands Jerry the note to be taken back to the bank and it says "acquitted", Jerry remarks that "If you had sent the message, Recalled to Life, again, I should have known what you meant this time." I feel this was an important line for it referred back to the "recalled to death" line, so what did Jerry mean by this?? Did he instead expect Mr. Lorry to write "recalled to death".
Finally, in the last chapter, we are introduced to another new character, Mr. Carton. We soon find out he is working with Mr. Stryver, so what was the point of going to the bar with Mr. Darney?? What was he trying to get out of him?? And then when he goes back to work with Mr. Stryver, what exactly were they doing?? In the very final paragraphs I think Dickens is trying to explain that Mr. Carton can see his potential but cannot motivate himself to reach it, Mr. Carton finds it easier to just feel sorry for himself, thus the tears on the pillow.
All in all, I think this book will be very interesting if I am able to follow it. The most confusing part right now is remembering it is five years later from the first book, and also the fact that there are so many new characters and trying to keep them all straight.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
1984 Pages 161 - END!
I finally feel like, in this last section, we were told why the Party puts so much time and energy into torturing their victims. Because of Winston's agreement to the "brotherhood", the Party knew that he would be one to revolt, and therefore, must stop that from happening by brainwashing him, which they did exceptionally well. I once again felt bad for Winston, because as hard as he tried, whatever answer he gave, it was always going to be the wrong answer. There has never been more of a "lose lose" sitiuation than that of Wintson in the Ministry of Love.
The odd thing was that O'brien was quite honest with Winston. At one point he even admitted that "We are not interested in the goods of others, we are interested in the good of ourselves [the Party]. Finally, the truth!
On page 263 Orwell makes mention to the Nazi and Russian Communists and their faults as supreme rulers. This not only goes along with the story in the book, but also the whole point of the book in that if those parties would have gotten it right, this is what could very well have happened. Ironically, we all find this book so strange and unreal, yet 6 million jews were killed in real life labor camps. Thus posing the question, is this book really that unbelievable??
On page 265 there was a surprising and abrupt change in Winston. He started talking back to O'brien, disagreeing, and even telling him that the party would ultimately fail. The even stranger thing was that O'brien didn't become upset. I also found it ironic when O'brien stated that "there will be no need of science." Science is one of the main reasons the Party is where they are today. From the machines to the brainwashing, it's all a form of science.
When Winston had that dream, and he was calling for Julia, he finally enjoyed a Victory over the Party. He felt it as a Victory, because all though he was punished for it, they hadn't completely taken over him, they had not got his emotions. This was perhaps the only uplifting moment in this week's reading.
As far as the rats, that was a brilliant plan. Placing someone in a situation with his or her biggest fear is perhaps the most ideal way to break them down. It surely worked on Winston, for he gave up Julia, thus his emotions, and completely surrendered to the Party. Finally, as Winston was was talking about how long it would be before he was shot, the comment was made that "They would blow a hole in their own perfection." Exactly, so why do it?? They finally made Winston the "perfect" brainwashed citizen, so why would they want to eventually shoot him??
As the chapters went on, I found there to be two abrupt changes in Winston without any warning or explanation. First, when he was all the sudden put into a nicer cell and allowed to gain his strength back, and second, when he was released he was suddenly extremely loyal to the Party. I just felt it a bit odd, almost rushed, that we didn't have any reasonings or weren't able to know what he was thinking. I felt, when he was back to normal life, that I was an outsider looking into a character that I barely knew.
Although the ending may not have been a real dazzler, it clearly makes the point the story was intending. If communism prevails, this is what could happen, even the most anti-party people can be unknowingly brainwashed, or tortured, into loyal party members.
The odd thing was that O'brien was quite honest with Winston. At one point he even admitted that "We are not interested in the goods of others, we are interested in the good of ourselves [the Party]. Finally, the truth!
On page 263 Orwell makes mention to the Nazi and Russian Communists and their faults as supreme rulers. This not only goes along with the story in the book, but also the whole point of the book in that if those parties would have gotten it right, this is what could very well have happened. Ironically, we all find this book so strange and unreal, yet 6 million jews were killed in real life labor camps. Thus posing the question, is this book really that unbelievable??
On page 265 there was a surprising and abrupt change in Winston. He started talking back to O'brien, disagreeing, and even telling him that the party would ultimately fail. The even stranger thing was that O'brien didn't become upset. I also found it ironic when O'brien stated that "there will be no need of science." Science is one of the main reasons the Party is where they are today. From the machines to the brainwashing, it's all a form of science.
When Winston had that dream, and he was calling for Julia, he finally enjoyed a Victory over the Party. He felt it as a Victory, because all though he was punished for it, they hadn't completely taken over him, they had not got his emotions. This was perhaps the only uplifting moment in this week's reading.
As far as the rats, that was a brilliant plan. Placing someone in a situation with his or her biggest fear is perhaps the most ideal way to break them down. It surely worked on Winston, for he gave up Julia, thus his emotions, and completely surrendered to the Party. Finally, as Winston was was talking about how long it would be before he was shot, the comment was made that "They would blow a hole in their own perfection." Exactly, so why do it?? They finally made Winston the "perfect" brainwashed citizen, so why would they want to eventually shoot him??
As the chapters went on, I found there to be two abrupt changes in Winston without any warning or explanation. First, when he was all the sudden put into a nicer cell and allowed to gain his strength back, and second, when he was released he was suddenly extremely loyal to the Party. I just felt it a bit odd, almost rushed, that we didn't have any reasonings or weren't able to know what he was thinking. I felt, when he was back to normal life, that I was an outsider looking into a character that I barely knew.
Although the ending may not have been a real dazzler, it clearly makes the point the story was intending. If communism prevails, this is what could happen, even the most anti-party people can be unknowingly brainwashed, or tortured, into loyal party members.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
1984 Pages 225 - 261
"He was in a high-ceilinged windowless cell with walls of glittering white porcelain." This line at the beginning of Section 3 is quite ironic for "white" especially pure white, is a universal sign for purity and peace. The place Winston is describing though, is the Ministry of Love, where nothing but torture and death takes place.
As I begun reading I made a prediction that the Ministry of Love would not be what Winston had always assumed. As I finished the reading, though, it actually was exactly what Winston had imagined.
Winston made the comment in the beginning that "it was the place with no darkness." This is ironic because, everything about it was dark. From the feelings it evoked to the occurances in the torture rooms, there was no place darker than the Ministry of Love.
My question in this section was who is Ampleforth?? Had O'brien told him that the bearer of the razor blade would be named Ampleforth? I thought the whole part was a bit confusing. When Amplefoth arrived and there was about six people in the cell, they made a connection about the "skeleton faced man". After the whole group had this sort of "coming together" I had thought that perhaps they would rebel. After all, what did they have to lose?
I was very surprised to see Mr. Parsons come in. First, it was quite a coincidence that Winston and him would end up being captured at the same time. Secondly, Parsons always bewilders me for he is so niave and stupid. His own daughter turns him in, and he is proud of her!!
When Winston was "rolling down a mighty corridor, rolling with laughter and shouting confessions at the top of his voice." I imagined that he was close to death, for this was almost like one of those flashbacks people talk about when they are between life and death.
As Winston is being tortured, it reminds me of the expiraents done on the Jewish prisinors in the Nazi labor camps. Also, I was a bit surprised that Winston kept telling the truth when O'brien asked him how many fingers he was holding up. Winston kept saying four, if he would have just said five right away, I think he would have endured much less pain. Finally, as I was reading about all the torture and the Party's reasoning that they were doing this to make him "sane" again. The question, once again, came to my mind of what is the purpose of this?? Who is benefitting from this? The fear itself of being arrested by the thought police is enough to keep the citizens in line, so why the arresting and brainwashing? What is the point of all this??
As far as room 101, O'brien said that "you know what is in room 101, everone knows what is in room 101." Well, I'm not sure, but I can speculate that it is where prisinors are actually killed. I'm afraid, though, that we will soon find out when Winston is sent there.
As I begun reading I made a prediction that the Ministry of Love would not be what Winston had always assumed. As I finished the reading, though, it actually was exactly what Winston had imagined.
Winston made the comment in the beginning that "it was the place with no darkness." This is ironic because, everything about it was dark. From the feelings it evoked to the occurances in the torture rooms, there was no place darker than the Ministry of Love.
My question in this section was who is Ampleforth?? Had O'brien told him that the bearer of the razor blade would be named Ampleforth? I thought the whole part was a bit confusing. When Amplefoth arrived and there was about six people in the cell, they made a connection about the "skeleton faced man". After the whole group had this sort of "coming together" I had thought that perhaps they would rebel. After all, what did they have to lose?
I was very surprised to see Mr. Parsons come in. First, it was quite a coincidence that Winston and him would end up being captured at the same time. Secondly, Parsons always bewilders me for he is so niave and stupid. His own daughter turns him in, and he is proud of her!!
When Winston was "rolling down a mighty corridor, rolling with laughter and shouting confessions at the top of his voice." I imagined that he was close to death, for this was almost like one of those flashbacks people talk about when they are between life and death.
As Winston is being tortured, it reminds me of the expiraents done on the Jewish prisinors in the Nazi labor camps. Also, I was a bit surprised that Winston kept telling the truth when O'brien asked him how many fingers he was holding up. Winston kept saying four, if he would have just said five right away, I think he would have endured much less pain. Finally, as I was reading about all the torture and the Party's reasoning that they were doing this to make him "sane" again. The question, once again, came to my mind of what is the purpose of this?? Who is benefitting from this? The fear itself of being arrested by the thought police is enough to keep the citizens in line, so why the arresting and brainwashing? What is the point of all this??
As far as room 101, O'brien said that "you know what is in room 101, everone knows what is in room 101." Well, I'm not sure, but I can speculate that it is where prisinors are actually killed. I'm afraid, though, that we will soon find out when Winston is sent there.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
1984 Pages 179 - 225
The first part of this week's reading was talk about the preparation for hate week. Winston is extremely tired after working so many hours, but it made me think, if nobody even reads books, like the ones he's changing, why does he have to change them?? As hate week begins there is a speaker in the town square and half way through his speech he gets a note notifying him of a change in enemy. Winston noted that he didn't even "skip a beat" when he went from one enemy to the next. This made me definately assume that the Party had planned for this to happen, perhaps to get more emotion from the crowd, or create more work for people like Winston who would now have to change all the records again.
The majority of the reading this week was reading "the book" O'brien had given Winston. It was not what I expected at all. I predicted that it would be very angry and denouncing towards the Party. When it was really just a complex explanation for the cause of the war. After reading just the first part of chapter three, I question how brainwashed Winston really is. He should have picked up on the fact that this was a bunch of lies. For instance on page 186 it states that "war involes a very small number of people...and causes comparatively few casualties." It also goes into great detail about the three different regions involved in the war. Why does Winston need to know these things? How is this going to help him "overthrow the Party"??
Throughout "the book" it brought up numerous different reasons for the war, but one struck me as almost funny. It stated that the reason for was is to use up all the products that are manufactured. How can Winston believe this?!?! Finally, it made me question, what is the war (if they even are at war) really about?? Could any of this be true?? Or maybe it's all true?? I came to the conclusion that the point of "the book" is to make Wintson believe that life is the same everywhere, so it must be right, as in majority rules. They made this clear several times when they compared the three regions and how they were all in this big "war" together.
Another reason, "the book" said, for the war was "to keep the structure of society intact". As unbeleivable as this book can sometimes be, Orwell made a completely true analogy about how the social classes alter now and throughout history. The high is always taken out by the middle class and the low always stays low. So, in Oceania, they believe they finally figured out a way to keep the high class in its position. As odd as it seems, they're right, they did figure it out. There is no class system in Airstrip One, they are all the same.
As I finished reading the portion about "the book" I wondered if Winston could actually understand it, for whoever wrote it was very educated and "the book" itself was very complex. Perhaps thats the point, it doesn't really matter if he can read and understand it all, it is just going to give him a sence that he belongs to "the brotherhood" now.
Finally on page 218, we were given our first clue that things were going to be getting worse, possibly deadly, for Winston and Julia as she commented that "it seems to have gotten colder." Cold, like winter, symbolizes death and struggle.
Oddly, right before I read the last party, when they get caught, I was thinking that Winston and Julia would be ok, because now that they , unknowingly, worked for the Party they wouldn't ever vaporize them because they needed them to do their dirty work, they were one of them. Well, apparently I was wrong.
I'm not sure what to think about their sort of "capture" yet. I don't believe their are actually going to be vaporized. I think this is the work of O'brien, and this is when they will have to start doing all those inhumane acts they talked about with O'brien.
The majority of the reading this week was reading "the book" O'brien had given Winston. It was not what I expected at all. I predicted that it would be very angry and denouncing towards the Party. When it was really just a complex explanation for the cause of the war. After reading just the first part of chapter three, I question how brainwashed Winston really is. He should have picked up on the fact that this was a bunch of lies. For instance on page 186 it states that "war involes a very small number of people...and causes comparatively few casualties." It also goes into great detail about the three different regions involved in the war. Why does Winston need to know these things? How is this going to help him "overthrow the Party"??
Throughout "the book" it brought up numerous different reasons for the war, but one struck me as almost funny. It stated that the reason for was is to use up all the products that are manufactured. How can Winston believe this?!?! Finally, it made me question, what is the war (if they even are at war) really about?? Could any of this be true?? Or maybe it's all true?? I came to the conclusion that the point of "the book" is to make Wintson believe that life is the same everywhere, so it must be right, as in majority rules. They made this clear several times when they compared the three regions and how they were all in this big "war" together.
Another reason, "the book" said, for the war was "to keep the structure of society intact". As unbeleivable as this book can sometimes be, Orwell made a completely true analogy about how the social classes alter now and throughout history. The high is always taken out by the middle class and the low always stays low. So, in Oceania, they believe they finally figured out a way to keep the high class in its position. As odd as it seems, they're right, they did figure it out. There is no class system in Airstrip One, they are all the same.
As I finished reading the portion about "the book" I wondered if Winston could actually understand it, for whoever wrote it was very educated and "the book" itself was very complex. Perhaps thats the point, it doesn't really matter if he can read and understand it all, it is just going to give him a sence that he belongs to "the brotherhood" now.
Finally on page 218, we were given our first clue that things were going to be getting worse, possibly deadly, for Winston and Julia as she commented that "it seems to have gotten colder." Cold, like winter, symbolizes death and struggle.
Oddly, right before I read the last party, when they get caught, I was thinking that Winston and Julia would be ok, because now that they , unknowingly, worked for the Party they wouldn't ever vaporize them because they needed them to do their dirty work, they were one of them. Well, apparently I was wrong.
I'm not sure what to think about their sort of "capture" yet. I don't believe their are actually going to be vaporized. I think this is the work of O'brien, and this is when they will have to start doing all those inhumane acts they talked about with O'brien.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
1984 Pages 157 - 179
There wasn't many pages to read this week, but those few were packed with new information and a few surprises. The first chapter opens with O'brien giving Winston the address to his apartment, right in front of the telescreen. Winston took note of this, but didnt' seem too concerned. I think O'brien did it right in front of the telescreen because if they tried to do it secretely then it would seem suspicious. It's like they played a sort of "reverse psychology" on the Party.
At the end of page 159 Winston said that " He had the sensation of stepping into the dampness of a grave, and it was not much better because he had always known that the grave was there and waiting for him." This line really stuck out because not only was it a beautifully written metaphor, but it foreshadowed that Winston, ultimately, would step into his own grave because of his rebellious actions against the Party.
Winston dreams about his mother and his sister, but it's not really a dream, its a memory that really happened. Perhaps the more he rebells and allows himself to commit thoughtcrime the more he will be able to remember. I think he struggles to remember the past because he is scared to, but if he just relaxes and lets himself, I think he will be amazed at all he really does remember. In the one memory he does recall, we get the idea that Winston did sort of kill his mother and sister by starving them to sickness, and eventually death.
When Winston tells Julia about this dream, he really wants to talk about it with her, but she simply blows it off. This made me feel sad for Winston, and it also clarified the fact that Julia and Winstons relationship is merely about sex and the hatred of the Party. Julia doesn't understand Winston, she doesn't even see when he is hurting emotionally and needs help.
On page 165 Winston had his biggest "ah ha" moment of the entire novel when he realized that the real difference between the Party members, like himself, and the proles is that "the proles had stayed human". I couldn't agree with him more!! Everyone thinks of the proles as the poor and under-class, but in reality they are the ones that figured it out. Like Winston said, it was just a few weeks ago that he had kicked the severed hand into the gutter like it was a cabbage stalk, thus reenforcing the fact that Winston does not possess human qualities. This made me wonder, though, why can't Winston go and live the lifestyle of a prole? What stops a prole from becoming a Party member, or a Party member from becoming a prole??
In Chapter VIII Winston and Julia visit O'brien and we discover that O'brien is an inner party member. Perhaps we already knew that, and I just forgot, but that made me a little leary about the fact that he was part, or perhaps headed the brotherhood AND belonged to the inner party. I also found it a bit peculiar that he could turn off the telelscreen. I find it hard to believe that Big Brother had enough trust in his employees to allow them to turn off the telescreen. After all, the inner party members should have nothing to hide from Big Brother, so why would they be allowed to turn it off?? Also, the fact that they each had to have a breath mint before they left. Who cares if they left smelling like wine, like drinking wine was a crime and having a secret meeting plotting against the Party wasn't??
O'brien eventually asks Winston all sorts of questions about what he would be willing to do and I found it astonishing that he could answer "yes" to all of these things. Would he really throw acid in some little girls face, or kill mass amounts of people with out even knowing why?? This does not seem like the Winston I know. Also, didn't we also establish that Goldstein was just a ploy of the government?? I don't believe in all O'brien is telling Winston, but I think Winston and Julia do because they want so badly to believe that there is a brotherhood and they can over throw the party. In the end, my prediction is that they are not joining a brotherhood against the party, but are instead, unknowingly, working for the party. It makes sence, otherwise, why would O'brien keep telling them that they would have to do all these cruel and horrific things to other people and even themselves without a single reason why!? They just need more people to do their dirty government work, they just need more people to do the vaporizing.
Finally, the story came a bit full circle when O'brien stated that they would speak again "In a place where there is no darkness". This is the same line that Winston had heard in his dream.
At the end of page 159 Winston said that " He had the sensation of stepping into the dampness of a grave, and it was not much better because he had always known that the grave was there and waiting for him." This line really stuck out because not only was it a beautifully written metaphor, but it foreshadowed that Winston, ultimately, would step into his own grave because of his rebellious actions against the Party.
Winston dreams about his mother and his sister, but it's not really a dream, its a memory that really happened. Perhaps the more he rebells and allows himself to commit thoughtcrime the more he will be able to remember. I think he struggles to remember the past because he is scared to, but if he just relaxes and lets himself, I think he will be amazed at all he really does remember. In the one memory he does recall, we get the idea that Winston did sort of kill his mother and sister by starving them to sickness, and eventually death.
When Winston tells Julia about this dream, he really wants to talk about it with her, but she simply blows it off. This made me feel sad for Winston, and it also clarified the fact that Julia and Winstons relationship is merely about sex and the hatred of the Party. Julia doesn't understand Winston, she doesn't even see when he is hurting emotionally and needs help.
On page 165 Winston had his biggest "ah ha" moment of the entire novel when he realized that the real difference between the Party members, like himself, and the proles is that "the proles had stayed human". I couldn't agree with him more!! Everyone thinks of the proles as the poor and under-class, but in reality they are the ones that figured it out. Like Winston said, it was just a few weeks ago that he had kicked the severed hand into the gutter like it was a cabbage stalk, thus reenforcing the fact that Winston does not possess human qualities. This made me wonder, though, why can't Winston go and live the lifestyle of a prole? What stops a prole from becoming a Party member, or a Party member from becoming a prole??
In Chapter VIII Winston and Julia visit O'brien and we discover that O'brien is an inner party member. Perhaps we already knew that, and I just forgot, but that made me a little leary about the fact that he was part, or perhaps headed the brotherhood AND belonged to the inner party. I also found it a bit peculiar that he could turn off the telelscreen. I find it hard to believe that Big Brother had enough trust in his employees to allow them to turn off the telescreen. After all, the inner party members should have nothing to hide from Big Brother, so why would they be allowed to turn it off?? Also, the fact that they each had to have a breath mint before they left. Who cares if they left smelling like wine, like drinking wine was a crime and having a secret meeting plotting against the Party wasn't??
O'brien eventually asks Winston all sorts of questions about what he would be willing to do and I found it astonishing that he could answer "yes" to all of these things. Would he really throw acid in some little girls face, or kill mass amounts of people with out even knowing why?? This does not seem like the Winston I know. Also, didn't we also establish that Goldstein was just a ploy of the government?? I don't believe in all O'brien is telling Winston, but I think Winston and Julia do because they want so badly to believe that there is a brotherhood and they can over throw the party. In the end, my prediction is that they are not joining a brotherhood against the party, but are instead, unknowingly, working for the party. It makes sence, otherwise, why would O'brien keep telling them that they would have to do all these cruel and horrific things to other people and even themselves without a single reason why!? They just need more people to do their dirty government work, they just need more people to do the vaporizing.
Finally, the story came a bit full circle when O'brien stated that they would speak again "In a place where there is no darkness". This is the same line that Winston had heard in his dream.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
1984 Pages 117 - 157
In this week's reading I picked up an early connection on the second page. Wintsin mentioned the "summery weather" which foreshadowed their upcoming romance. This was the chapter when Julia and Winston would finally meet in the country side, but I was a bit surprised that winston didn't question how Julia knew her way around the area so well. She had obviously been there many times, but with who? for what? I thought it was especially peculiar for Winston because he is always paranoid about somebody turning him in for thought crime or something else. I also found it surprising that Winston thought the inner Party was "clean", as in they didn't have sex, they didn't eat real chocolate and coffee, etc. How could he be so unaffected by thier attempts to brainwash him into thinking that they've always fought the same country, or that life is better now, but be completely brainwashed into thinking they are follow the same rules as him! I would have expected Julia to believe they were following the same rules because she grew up knowing nothing else, but Winston knows they are corrupt, he has lived through the change.
A little later on in the chapter they are walking through a back street and a rocket nearly hits them. I may be reading to much into it, but perhaps it is symbolizing the trouble ahead if they continue to be together??
As we are learning more about Julia and her intersting thoughs on life, one quote struck me in particular, she stated: "Books were just a commodity that had to be produced like jam or bootlaces." This made me think of two things; first, the intelligence level of these people really is low, like the man in the bar, making for easy brainwashing, and secondly, if people don't read books- why write and produce them?!?!
As the chapter goes on we find out a good deal about Julia and how much she hates the party. I think it's quite odd that she is so anti-Party when she grew up with it. Usually when you grow up with something and know no other way you just presume it's right, what changed her mind? I also thought that maybe it was too much of a coincidence that the man she had an affair with, the one that would have given up her name, commited suicide before he had the chance...
Julia also gave a new outlook on why the Party is so anti-sex. She made a good point when she said that they hate it because when you have sex you have used up all your energy and are very happy, therefore why should you get excited about Big Brother and Hate Week, and waving flags and banners around? I thought this was a great point and agree with her completely. For instance, Winston said now that he has no need for gin, for he has fulfilled his need with love. Thus also telling us why so much gin is given out, to keep everyone on that fine line between happiness and rebellion.
Finally, I was a bit confused on why they keep bringing up Winston's wife, Katherine. Winston keeps acting like he is married yet and even once said something like "if only katherine would be dead".. what is that about? She was vaporized years ago! The last thing I will note is that I think putting Julia in this story with Winston creates a great contrast. They are almost the antithesis of each other, and that makes for an interesting relationship. It's also nice to see the views vary between those that grew up and remember before the revolution, and those that know nothing more than the Party.
A little later on in the chapter they are walking through a back street and a rocket nearly hits them. I may be reading to much into it, but perhaps it is symbolizing the trouble ahead if they continue to be together??
As we are learning more about Julia and her intersting thoughs on life, one quote struck me in particular, she stated: "Books were just a commodity that had to be produced like jam or bootlaces." This made me think of two things; first, the intelligence level of these people really is low, like the man in the bar, making for easy brainwashing, and secondly, if people don't read books- why write and produce them?!?!
As the chapter goes on we find out a good deal about Julia and how much she hates the party. I think it's quite odd that she is so anti-Party when she grew up with it. Usually when you grow up with something and know no other way you just presume it's right, what changed her mind? I also thought that maybe it was too much of a coincidence that the man she had an affair with, the one that would have given up her name, commited suicide before he had the chance...
Julia also gave a new outlook on why the Party is so anti-sex. She made a good point when she said that they hate it because when you have sex you have used up all your energy and are very happy, therefore why should you get excited about Big Brother and Hate Week, and waving flags and banners around? I thought this was a great point and agree with her completely. For instance, Winston said now that he has no need for gin, for he has fulfilled his need with love. Thus also telling us why so much gin is given out, to keep everyone on that fine line between happiness and rebellion.
Finally, I was a bit confused on why they keep bringing up Winston's wife, Katherine. Winston keeps acting like he is married yet and even once said something like "if only katherine would be dead".. what is that about? She was vaporized years ago! The last thing I will note is that I think putting Julia in this story with Winston creates a great contrast. They are almost the antithesis of each other, and that makes for an interesting relationship. It's also nice to see the views vary between those that grew up and remember before the revolution, and those that know nothing more than the Party.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
1984 pages 81 - 117
This week's reading was by far the most cultivating and interesting so far. Before Part II , Winston decides to not go to the community center one night and instead takes a walk to a part of the town where the proles live. As he walks, he sees an old man and realizes that this man is probably one of the few men left that know what life was like before the revolutionary war. He follows the man into the pub and tries to get him to remember things about his youth. After many failed attempts, Winston realizes that even if there are men alive that lived prior to the war, all they remember are bits and pieces of random information. I feel that this was semi-depressing for Winston, all his hopes of finding out if the Party was telling the truth were gone now, and he must continue to live by the Party's word. when he leaves the bar, he isn't quite sure where he is, but soon stumbles upon the shop where he bought his journal. He enters, knowing what a risk it is, and finds a friend in the shopkeeper. He ends up buying a piece of old coral, so he can feel that he belonged to a time other than his own.
In the next chapter, I was completely blown away by the event that took place. Julia gives Winston a note that says "I love you" and nothing else!! So after all this time and worry about Julia being the thought police and trying to kill him, she was really just in love with him. Winston thought that maybe this was just some sort of ploy to get him to commit thought crime. I personally never thought that, I think Winston sometimes thinks too badly of people. If he doesn't agree with the Party and their rules, shouldn't he think that there has to be other people that think the same? Anyways, the note was ironic because only a week earlier when he left the shop and saw her, he thought that maybe he should smash her head with a rock to take care of her. They eventually talk shortly at the canteen and then in then at the end in the square she gives him directions to meet her. I think Julia is going to be quite rebellious. She has obviously done a lot of thinking and planning on how to get Winston alone, therefore ignoring Party rules. Perhaps, though, she is just what Winston needs, a little push to help him rebel. After all, a change starts with just one person.
In the next chapter, I was completely blown away by the event that took place. Julia gives Winston a note that says "I love you" and nothing else!! So after all this time and worry about Julia being the thought police and trying to kill him, she was really just in love with him. Winston thought that maybe this was just some sort of ploy to get him to commit thought crime. I personally never thought that, I think Winston sometimes thinks too badly of people. If he doesn't agree with the Party and their rules, shouldn't he think that there has to be other people that think the same? Anyways, the note was ironic because only a week earlier when he left the shop and saw her, he thought that maybe he should smash her head with a rock to take care of her. They eventually talk shortly at the canteen and then in then at the end in the square she gives him directions to meet her. I think Julia is going to be quite rebellious. She has obviously done a lot of thinking and planning on how to get Winston alone, therefore ignoring Party rules. Perhaps, though, she is just what Winston needs, a little push to help him rebel. After all, a change starts with just one person.
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