1984
By George Orwell
Written in 1948

Here, we discuss and wrap-up our final chunk of 1984.

Schedule (optional)

It’s in three parts, and I SWORE I would not make a schedule but I did.

• Read Part 1 by 12/13
• Read Part 2 by 12/20
• Read Part 3, finish by 12/31 (I posted a bit early)

Here are some questions to ponder for Part 3:

Why is the headquarters of the Thought Police and the repressive apparatus of the Party called the “Ministry of Love?” Summarize the three stages of treatment at the Ministry of Love.

“There are three stages in your reintegration,’ said O’Brien. ‘There is learning, there is understanding, and there is acceptance.”

All of the Ministry departments are the opposite of what they actually are. The Ministry of Love’s work might be seen as love by the Party itself, but it consists of beatings, interrogations, and confessions. Far, far from love. Is it love if it has to be beaten into you?

When does Winston first realize that O’Brien is directing his torture? Do you think that on some level he was always aware that O’Brien was an inner party member? Why does O’Brien want to convince Winston that two plus two equals five?

I do think that O’Brien’s first conversation with Julia and Winston gives them both a sense of hope. That is the person to save them. That to be on his team, is a win win and a way to save society. 

But when Winston and Julia are captured, I believe that Winston is fully aware who put them there. O’Brien’s insistence that 2 + 2 = 5 is a way for him to gauge whether or not the torture is working. And what horrible torture practices we witness. There was a piece of me that believed Julia to be a traitor from day one. I wasn’t all together sure of what was going on with her. Was she really captured? Or did she hand Winston over to the Party? We aren’t told what happens to her or what she actually endures, if anything. 

Does Winston betray Julia? Is it justified? Why or why not? How does Winston’s betrayal signal his own end? What happens when Winston and Julia accidentally meet?

I’m conflicted about this. I still believe Julia to not be 100% forthright. Given her experience with numerous men, I have it in my head that her role was the flesh out the weak. That Winston was just another pawn. Winston betrays her by suggesting that the rat cage be placed on Julia’s head. The only hint that we have of this actually happening, is the scar that Winston sees on her forehead when he runs into her at the end of the book. Except, a long scar on the forehead doesn’t match what hungry rats would do to a face. Something to consider. If Julia did “rat” him out, then I do believe his betrayal towards her was justified. It also signals the end to Winston. His hope for a future is gone at this point. 

The other reason why I suspect that Julia was a plant, is that she admitted to relationships with many men but never feared pregnancy. Perhaps her cycle was controlled by the Party. Think about that. 

Why doesn’t The Party simply eliminate rebellious members?

Well, they do in some cases. The example of how Syme just disappeared without a trace is evidence of that. But isn’t the forced conversion of a person more satisfying to those with power? Forcing someone to submit to what they are opposed to is a sign of dominance and a clear message to others who choose to rebel against the system. 

From the evidence of the novel itself, defend one of these two ideas: Orwell intended 1984 as a prophecy; or he intended 1984 as a criticism of contemporary societies?

Definitely as a prophecy. This book was written shortly after Hitler’s reign. Much of what transpired there, can be seen in 1984 but it comes across as a cautionary observation that the past can repeat itself which is why the past is continuously altered in the book. The past is altered so much that most of the characters can’t even remember how the world used to be, or who they are at war with on any given day. 

If the Party decided to switch directions, they’d just throw the past into a  memory hole and re-write history. Some of that is happening now! Schools are opting to ignore critical race theory. Slavery is being wiped out as I type. The damaging effects of WWII are slowly being eradicated. 

In today’s political climate, deny, deflect, blame someone else is the current method of controlling reality. Even on video, recorded for all to see and hear, you are being told that that is not what was said. That you just didn’t understand it. Terrifyingly easy. My favorite, (totally not my favorite) is when video evidence is accused of being AI. 

What is your interpretation of the ending? Does Winston and Julia survive?

In my interpretation of the ending, Julia survives but not unscathed. The long forehead scar is mentioned but that remnant is not indicative of a rat attack. To me, she paid the price for getting too close to Winston and for second guessing her loyalties. But she is still very useful to the Party so I am of the opinion that she survived and went on to live that  miserable existence. 

Winston? Most will say he survived as well. That he congratulates himself at the end for his new found love of Big Brother. That his ability to roam about, to basically become a drunk and wander around the Ministry is survival. But there is a line that very vividly paints the picture of his execution. Whether that is a dream he keeps reliving in order to accept the Party, I am not sure but in my mind, he didn’t make it. Throughout the book it’s said that these executions just happened without warning. The end scene is set-up to support that. 

When I compare the contents of this book with the political climate of today, one can almost call 1984 a playbook for dictatorship. How much of this will we witness during the next presidential term?

My review will post in a few days. What a book. I didn’t remember much but I don’t think I can ever forget it now.

1984
By George Orwell
Written in 1948

This week we discuss Part 2!

Schedule (optional)

It’s in three parts, and I SWORE I would not make a schedule but some readers like to have a little structure so here is a brief, brief plan.

• Read Part 1 by 12/13
• Read Part 2 by 12/20
• Read Part 3, finish by 12/31

Here are some questions to ponder for Part 2:

How easy do you think it is to brainwash people after reading 1984?

Uh, extremely easy. I feel like it’s happening now. In the book, the citizens are stripped bare, sometimes literally. They exist on the bare minimum of food, labor day in and day out. Breaking them down this way makes them easier to control. 

In today’s society, many are  in a compromised position financially so promises of riches and a better life naturally appeal to this segment of the population. The potential to make life better, all around, appeals to many but the reality of it is that it can’t be done with loose promises and no action to back it up. Also, the introduction of fear. “They” are coming for you. Promises of protection are welcomed once fear has been introduced. 

Explore the symbolic significance of the clock, the paperweight, the song the prole woman sings, and the nursery rhyme about the bell.

The clock strikes 13, which is 1pm. This is Orwell’s way of letting us know right away that time is handled differently and that mostly, clocks are tied to the BEFORE but this clock is different. It’s presence reminds us, and Winston that time is now different. 

The paperweight. I could see that paperweight in my mind. The translucent quality, the beauty of the coral inside. To  me, it represents a moment in time, from the past. The build-up of its delicate nature hints at something darker lurking around the corner. 

The song and the nursery rhyme. The woman, hanging out her wash while singing provides a false sense of normalcy. As her voice drifts through Winston’s window, all seems to be well and good. The nursery rhyme is rather dismal when you pay attention to the lyrics. It’s a sign that the children are aware of a NEW civilization, one where they spy and people are held accountable, even their own parents. 

How does Winston’s understanding of women change throughout the course of the book?

Oh goodness. In Part 2, Julia is introduced. At first it’s all sweetness and butterflies set against the backdrop of Big Brother. But then Winston admits freely that when he first saw Julia he wanted to rape and kill her. This is an extremely disturbing confession. One that does not surprise Julia in the least. 

He also doesn’t care how many men she’s been with and that he hates purity and wants everyone corrupt to the bone. Why? To tear the Party to pieces. Would that behavior result in the Party breaking down? I don’t think so. I think that is exactly the direction the Party wants citizens to take. Debauchery. Sex only for procreation but the making of the rule itself causing citizens to naturally rebel against it. 

While we’re here, what about that apartment?!? The writing was on the wall with that one. How could someone so easily rent a hideaway like that? I was immediately suspicious. 

Given Winston’s own acknowledgment that he is under constant surveillance, and that it would only be a matter of time before the Thought Police caught him, no one in his world could be trusted. Prior to his capture, which character or characters did you envision as betraying Winston?

I never trusted Julia or O’Brien. This is my fourth time reading 1984 and so much of it I forgot but I never forgot the ill feeling I had when Winston hooked up with her and convinced himself that O’Brien was the way out. 

Ponder these questions and we will reconvene 12/31 for Part 3’s discussion.