Week 3 | Book Chatter

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.

It’s Friday and the end of Week 3! Of Human Bondage has surprised me in many ways.

By now, you should have read the following but many of you have expressed some challenges in keeping up with the reading. No worries! I set a schedule because some readers like that, but you read what you can and I won’t spoil the story for you.

This week we are discussing this section:

Chapters XL-LI / 40-51 (82 pp.)
Chapters LII-LIII / 52-53 (13 pp.)
Chapters LIV-LV / 54-55 (12 pp.)
Chapters LVI-LXII / 56-62 (38 pp.)
Chapters LXIII-LXVIII / 63-68 (29 pp.)
Discuss/Read the above by 10/18 (174 pages total)

Click here for the full schedule.

Week 3 – Where Do I Start?

I won’t provide a complete re-cap because it would give some things away but goodness!! So much has happened.

Philip heads to Paris. Aunt Louisa is rather stricken by his departure but Philip hardly bats an eye. The way he handles the goodbye seems especially cruel and harsh.

While in Paris, Philip meets all sorts of characters:

Mrs. Otter

Clutton

Fanny Price – what a piece of work she is

Cronshaw – fave quote “Sobriety disturbs conversation.”

Lawson

Miss Chalice – a slutty art model who gets around

Dunsford

Mildred – now this one really IS a piece of work

Miss Nesbit

Griffiths – a good chap

Philip’s family suffers a terrible loss but his reaction to it is mild, because he is utterly distracted by the truth. He is a mediocre artist at best and will never be more. His two years in Paris was a total waste. Surprised?

Much time is spent with Mildred. An interesting creature characterized by the green pallor of her skin. Philip is quite taken with her but although she at times shows interest, she cares for him not and makes that pretty clear. But Philip seems to have his head in the clouds. His infatuation with her takes up much of his life. It’s pitiful.

Enter Miss Nesbit. Is she the beacon of hope he needs to find his way? What about Griffiths?

Things to ponder:

Why does Philip subject himself with masochistic obstinacy to Mildred’s cruelty?

Cronshaw implies that pleasure is the only motive for human action. Would you say that Philip follows this rule for his own life?

Philip has tried many vocations and headed down several career paths, what do you think he is searching for? Even with his relationships, what is he looking for that he has not found?

What do you personally think of Philip?

Mildred is just dreadful. Why is Philip obsessed with her? Possibly because she is something that he can never have and because of his low self esteem sets himself up for punishment each and every time. Is he that lonely? Probably.

Cronshaw and his belief that pleasure is the only motive for human action is not far off the path for many, but I don’t feel it applies to Philip at all. He sets out to find peace and happiness but he is also motivated by horrible behavior and impossible relationships. He appears to be drawn to them. Perhaps knowing that they have no permanence.

With this week’s reading, I am having a hard time understanding what Philip wants in life. He is so, so lonely and desperate for interaction that he’s willing to endure horrible treatment to get it. He wants what other, better dressed, smarter boys have but at the first inkling of getting it, he quickly puts himself in reverse and backs away. I still think that the right girl could do him a world of good. But who?

Philip can be a little $hit. Honestly. He frustrates me. On one hand he is charming and delightfully awkward and likable but he gives up way too easily and talks himself out of things. BUT, big but, I am still rooting for him. I want him to find happiness and I really hope he does as we head toward the end of the book. His views on the importance of reading put me on his team.