Well, this was an exciting section with lots of different
topics up for discussion. First, I am happy to see that O’Brien made his subtle
approach to Winston. He gave Winston his address, saying that he wanted to give
him the ninth tenth edition Newspeak dictionary. This clearly indicated that he
wants to speak to Winston and I doubt it’s about Newspeak. I know that he
represents something much bigger than Winston expects. He is not just another
rebel. I think that he is the key to discovering the underground Brotherhood. Hopefully
we’ll find out soon enough!
I really enjoyed reading about the general differences
between Julia and Winston in how they see the Big Brotherhood. Julia appears to
have some characteristics of a child. She only plays the role that she has to
in order to stay alive. She doesn’t care much about the past or what may or may
not be true. And she appears to be very shortsighted. She could care less about
Ingsoc and only wants to know enough to get by. Every time Winston talks about
the bigger picture of Big Brother she coincidently falls asleep. As Winston put
it, “You’re only a rebel from the waist downwards” (156). Her most rebellious
acts are sexual, and although she may loathe the Party she doesn’t know enough
about it to even be considered a real threat.
Winston, on the other hand, has the type of curiosity that
can change the Party. He seeks to understand the truth and remembers all of the
lies. He points out to Julia that only four years ago the Party changed who
they were at war (and always at war) with from Eastasia to Eurasia. Even though
it was only four years back, she had no recollection and showed no curiosity. This
agrees with Winston’s theory that, “the world-view of the Party imposed itself
most successfully on people incapable of understanding it” (156). In other
words, even though Julia would join forces into rebellion if it were there, she
would have no idea how to make a difference because if one does not understand
their enemy, one cannot destroy their enemy. However, Winston holds this
characteristic and I think that he (and hopefully O’Brien) has the wits to
impact an essential area of the Party.
Later, we hear a little bit more about Winston’s mother; mostly
about his last memories with her before her disappearance. I’m guessing he was around thirteen due to
your hints at his voice crackling (assumingly due to puberty). Winston was a
brat back then, stealing his mother’s and dying sister’s food. I could feel
complete sadness coming from his mother through your reading. You never
addressed it directly but it seemed apparent that she knew she was about to
disappear. She showed as much love as she could to her kids before she (and
Winston’s sister) disappears. (I wonder if he would have disappeared too if he
was in the house at the time.) I still don’t understand why Winston felt that
he had murdered his mother.
On a final note, it was intriguing to read about Winston’s
perception of love and betrayal. It seems inevitable that Winston will
disappear in the book but he talks about how the Ministry of Love can make him
say anything but they cannot change the way he feels. He will always love Julia
and being tortured will not change that. In his mind, betrayal is not holding
back a few words (they are inevitable) but still feeling love for another
person, even when someone tries to take it away. He seems to be at peace knowing
this, even with a dreadful fate that lies ahead. I must admit, Winston is a
character that has really grown on me.
Until next time!
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