1984: 1984: Help, I’m AliveHelp, I’m Alive

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

25 February 201325 February 2013

Do I dare / Disturb the universe?Do I dare / Disturb the universe?

Why was it that they could never Why was it that they could never shout like that about anything that shout like that about anything that mattered? (70)mattered? (70)

And even when they became And even when they became discontented, as they sometimes discontented, as they sometimes did, their discontent led nowhere, did, their discontent led nowhere, because, being without specific because, being without specific ideas, they could only focus on petty ideas, they could only focus on petty specific grievances. The larger evils specific grievances. The larger evils invariably escaped their notice. (71-invariably escaped their notice. (71-72)72)

The thing that now suddenly struck The thing that now suddenly struck Winston was that his mother’s Winston was that his mother’s death, nearly thirty years ago, had death, nearly thirty years ago, had been tragic and sorrowful in a way been tragic and sorrowful in a way that was no longer possible. that was no longer possible. Tragedy, he perceived, belonged to Tragedy, he perceived, belonged to the ancient time, to a time when the ancient time, to a time when there were still privacy, love, and there were still privacy, love, and friendship, and when the members friendship, and when the members of a family stood by one another of a family stood by one another without needing to know the without needing to know the reason…Today there were fear, reason…Today there were fear, hatred, and pain, but no dignity of hatred, and pain, but no dignity of emotion, or deep or complex emotion, or deep or complex sorrows. (30)sorrows. (30)

We were keeping our eye on 1984. When the year came and the We were keeping our eye on 1984. When the year came and the prophecy didn’t, thoughtful Americans sang softly in praise of themselves. prophecy didn’t, thoughtful Americans sang softly in praise of themselves. The roots of liberal democracy had held. Wherever else the terror had The roots of liberal democracy had held. Wherever else the terror had happened, we, at least, had not been visited by Orwellian nightmares.happened, we, at least, had not been visited by Orwellian nightmares.

But we had forgotten that alongside Orwell’s dark vision, there But we had forgotten that alongside Orwell’s dark vision, there was another – slightly older, slightly less well-known, equally chilling: was another – slightly older, slightly less well-known, equally chilling: Aldous Huxley’s Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.Brave New World. Contrary to common belief even among Contrary to common belief even among the educated, Huxley and Orwell did not prophesy the same thing. Orwell the educated, Huxley and Orwell did not prophesy the same thing. Orwell warns that we will be overcome by an externally imposed oppression. But warns that we will be overcome by an externally imposed oppression. But in Huxley’s vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their in Huxley’s vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy, maturity, and history. As he saw it, people will come to love autonomy, maturity, and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think. think.

What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy-porgy, and the centrifugal with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy-porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy. As Huxley remarked in bumblepuppy. As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited,Brave New World Revisited, the civil the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny “failed to take into account man’s almost infinite appetite for distraction.” “failed to take into account man’s almost infinite appetite for distraction.” In In 1984,1984, Huxley added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Huxley added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave Brave New World,New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us.ruin us.

Neil PostmanNeil Postman

The first chapter accomplishes a The first chapter accomplishes a tremendous amount in a very short tremendous amount in a very short timespan.timespan.

Orwell lays out the rules of his Orwell lays out the rules of his nightmare world in broad strokes, pausing nightmare world in broad strokes, pausing to explain some while merely referencing to explain some while merely referencing others. (We trust he’ll tell us later; he others. (We trust he’ll tell us later; he justifies the trust.) justifies the trust.)

In juxtaposing the familiar (London!) In juxtaposing the familiar (London!) with the patently unfamiliar (what’s Airstrip with the patently unfamiliar (what’s Airstrip One? What’s Oceania?), Orwell establishes One? What’s Oceania?), Orwell establishes the tone that he’ll carry throughout the the tone that he’ll carry throughout the entire first section: jumbled and largely entire first section: jumbled and largely grim, with glimmers of hope at the edges of grim, with glimmers of hope at the edges of the picture he’s painting.the picture he’s painting.

But beyond establishing his world, But beyond establishing his world, tone, and narrative perspective, Orwell tone, and narrative perspective, Orwell uses Chapter One to introduce Winston uses Chapter One to introduce Winston Smith, a character who’s initially a Smith, a character who’s initially a baffling, contradictory mixture of baffling, contradictory mixture of thoughtfulness, decency, cowardice, and thoughtfulness, decency, cowardice, and vice. vice.

Winston would probably be a deeply Winston would probably be a deeply unsympathetic figure in virtually any unsympathetic figure in virtually any other type of narrative, but in the terrible other type of narrative, but in the terrible realm of realm of 1984,1984, we latch onto his we latch onto his fundamental humanity like a drowning fundamental humanity like a drowning man clings to passing driftwood. man clings to passing driftwood.

Before looking more Before looking more extensively at the specific world, extensively at the specific world, mood, and characters of mood, and characters of 1984,1984, an an examination of its genre is in examination of its genre is in order. order.

The book itself belongs to a The book itself belongs to a literary tradition that’s pretty well-literary tradition that’s pretty well-trodden at the moment, but which trodden at the moment, but which was still fairly fresh at the time of was still fairly fresh at the time of its publication: the novel of its publication: the novel of negative utopia, or “dystopia.” negative utopia, or “dystopia.”

Up until just before the dawn of the Up until just before the dawn of the twentieth century, novels tended to twentieth century, novels tended to present fairly straightforward visions of present fairly straightforward visions of society.society.

Even speculative fiction (what passed Even speculative fiction (what passed for science fiction at the time) tended to for science fiction at the time) tended to project society in one of two ways: either project society in one of two ways: either as a continuation of the recognizable as a continuation of the recognizable traditions of the present, or as a glorious traditions of the present, or as a glorious leap forward from it. leap forward from it.

It’s this latter type that particularly It’s this latter type that particularly captured a large set of speculative-fiction captured a large set of speculative-fiction writers, and it makes sense: why bother writers, and it makes sense: why bother speculating about a future where things speculating about a future where things are markedly worse? are markedly worse?

As Erich Fromm points out in his As Erich Fromm points out in his Afterword to Afterword to 1984,1984, this tradition has its this tradition has its roots in the Old Testament – the idea that roots in the Old Testament – the idea that mankind is not yet what he can be, but mankind is not yet what he can be, but will reach that potential someday.will reach that potential someday.

The tradition gained further traction The tradition gained further traction with Thomas More’s publication of with Thomas More’s publication of UtopiaUtopia – which literally means “no place” in – which literally means “no place” in Greek, but which we’ve since taken to Greek, but which we’ve since taken to mean “good place.”mean “good place.”

It carried on all the way through the It carried on all the way through the beginning of the twentieth century, at beginning of the twentieth century, at which point the first World War shattered which point the first World War shattered a generation and introduced a level of a generation and introduced a level of anxiety about the future on a global scale.anxiety about the future on a global scale.

From this anxiety was born a counter-From this anxiety was born a counter-movement of sorts – “dystopian novels,” movement of sorts – “dystopian novels,” or books about “bad places.”or books about “bad places.”

One of the key elements of a One of the key elements of a dystopian novel is that the society in dystopian novel is that the society in question must be a twisted version of an question must be a twisted version of an impossible Utopian ideal (since the impossible Utopian ideal (since the impossibility, after all, is built into the impossibility, after all, is built into the term). term).

People wouldn’t buy into a picture of People wouldn’t buy into a picture of pure evil arising from nothingness and pure evil arising from nothingness and conquering the world, but they would conquering the world, but they would follow the concept of a good idea turned follow the concept of a good idea turned bad by its adherents – or by people who bad by its adherents – or by people who co-opted such movements for their own co-opted such movements for their own purposes.purposes.

Before Before 1984,1984, the most famous the most famous dystopian work was Aldous Huxley’s dystopian work was Aldous Huxley’s Brave New WorldBrave New World (the book we’ll (the book we’ll read following read following 19841984).).

Huxley taught Orwell when he Huxley taught Orwell when he was a university student, and the was a university student, and the professor’s ideas echo throughout professor’s ideas echo throughout both novels.both novels.

That said, it should be noted That said, it should be noted that the stories represent two sides that the stories represent two sides of the same coin – that they have the of the same coin – that they have the same general idea of society gone same general idea of society gone wrong, but that they take very wrong, but that they take very different paths to get there.different paths to get there.

Dystopian societies as portrayed in both novels – in Dystopian societies as portrayed in both novels – in most dystopian novels, actually – share the most dystopian novels, actually – share the following characteristics:following characteristics:

• Propaganda is used to control the citizens of Propaganda is used to control the citizens of societysociety

• Information, independent thought, and freedom Information, independent thought, and freedom are restrictedare restricted

• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the societycitizens of the society

• Citizens are perceived to be under constant Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillancesurveillance

• Citizens have a fear of the outside worldCitizens have a fear of the outside world• Citizens live in a dehumanized stateCitizens live in a dehumanized state• The natural world is banished and distrustedThe natural world is banished and distrusted• Citizens conform to uniform expectationsCitizens conform to uniform expectations• Individuality and dissent are badIndividuality and dissent are bad• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian

worldworld

But dystopian novels’ main But dystopian novels’ main purpose is not simply to invent a purpose is not simply to invent a society.society.

In many ways, the society at In many ways, the society at hand cannot simply be a twisted hand cannot simply be a twisted version of the Utopian ideal; it has to version of the Utopian ideal; it has to be a twisted version of the author’s be a twisted version of the author’s current society current society were it to incorrectly were it to incorrectly pursue that idealpursue that ideal..

Some of the authors do this in Some of the authors do this in order to criticize utopian ideals as order to criticize utopian ideals as unrealistic or naïve; others do this to unrealistic or naïve; others do this to condemn condemn usus for falling short of what for falling short of what we should be capable of achieving. we should be capable of achieving.

After all, the vast majority of people After all, the vast majority of people behave decently to each other the vast behave decently to each other the vast majority of the time; on an individual level, majority of the time; on an individual level, virtually any of us virtually any of us isis capable of living in a way capable of living in a way that would give rise to a utopia. that would give rise to a utopia.

The dystopian authors get to examine why The dystopian authors get to examine why this tendency towards the good isn’t always this tendency towards the good isn’t always expressed in our governance or societal models expressed in our governance or societal models – and how those systems, in turn, can feed back – and how those systems, in turn, can feed back until they affect our choices and behaviors, until they affect our choices and behaviors, until everything blurs together and it becomes until everything blurs together and it becomes too difficult to tell whether our societies reflect too difficult to tell whether our societies reflect our preferences or shape them. our preferences or shape them.

(If you noticed that this is the same old (If you noticed that this is the same old question from the first semester – do my question from the first semester – do my morals dictate my choices, or do my choices morals dictate my choices, or do my choices give rise to my morals? – congratulations.) give rise to my morals? – congratulations.)

In this way, authors like Orwell, Huxley, and In this way, authors like Orwell, Huxley, and Ishiguro (whose Ishiguro (whose Never Let Me Go Never Let Me Go closes our closes our studies together) can use dystopias not simply as studies together) can use dystopias not simply as works of speculative fiction, but as a means of works of speculative fiction, but as a means of criticizing current trends, societal norms, or criticizing current trends, societal norms, or political systems.political systems.

Orwell and Huxley both painted worst-case Orwell and Huxley both painted worst-case scenarios of the modern Western world’s scenarios of the modern Western world’s downfall; both were British, and it’s no surprise downfall; both were British, and it’s no surprise that the action in both takes place in that the action in both takes place in transformed versions of England.transformed versions of England.

You’ll see Neil Postman’s adage borne out: You’ll see Neil Postman’s adage borne out: that Huxley believed we’d be destroyed by the that Huxley believed we’d be destroyed by the things we loved, and Orwell feared we were more things we loved, and Orwell feared we were more susceptible to the things we hated.susceptible to the things we hated.

And from the first chapter onwards, Orwell And from the first chapter onwards, Orwell starts trying to make as persuasive a case for his starts trying to make as persuasive a case for his fears as possible.fears as possible.

The first chapter establishes The first chapter establishes Winston as a viable protagonist by Winston as a viable protagonist by thrusting us into his world along thrusting us into his world along with him; as strangers in a strange with him; as strangers in a strange land, we’re forced to feel just as land, we’re forced to feel just as helpless as he is.helpless as he is.

What’s really brilliant about that What’s really brilliant about that beginning is the way that beginning is the way that everything’s close-but-not-quite-everything’s close-but-not-quite-right – the “uncanny valley” effect right – the “uncanny valley” effect from motion-capture animation from motion-capture animation expressed on a much, much larger expressed on a much, much larger scale – and how that particular setup scale – and how that particular setup ties into the book’s larger themes ties into the book’s larger themes and plot points.and plot points.

Think of it like this: Pretend you’re a bilingual Think of it like this: Pretend you’re a bilingual speaker (I know – this isn’t much of a stretch for some speaker (I know – this isn’t much of a stretch for some of you) who’s listening to a conversation in your of you) who’s listening to a conversation in your second language. second language.

You can keep up, but it’s not quite as easy as You can keep up, but it’s not quite as easy as listening to your mother tongue – your brain listening to your mother tongue – your brain sometimes hitches when weird slang pops up, or you sometimes hitches when weird slang pops up, or you get distracted hearing people talk about things with get distracted hearing people talk about things with words that aren’t nearly as well-suited to the task as words that aren’t nearly as well-suited to the task as the ones in your other language (think Greek the ones in your other language (think Greek speakers, English speakers, and the words we use for speakers, English speakers, and the words we use for love).love).

Now pretend you’re listening to the Now pretend you’re listening to the conversation in a crowded room – a bar, a stadium, conversation in a crowded room – a bar, a stadium, somewhere – which adds a bunch of background somewhere – which adds a bunch of background noise. noise.

You aren’t consciously listening to the other You aren’t consciously listening to the other stuff, but you’re trying to tune it out while still stuff, but you’re trying to tune it out while still listening to something else.listening to something else.

Can you still do it? Sure, but it’s a strain, and Can you still do it? Sure, but it’s a strain, and more likely than not you’re going to miss something more likely than not you’re going to miss something you shouldn’t, or distort the meaning of something you shouldn’t, or distort the meaning of something you would’ve caught without the distractions. you would’ve caught without the distractions.

And knowing what we do, now And knowing what we do, now that we’ve finished, about Winston, that we’ve finished, about Winston, Julia, O’Brien, the Party, and all the Julia, O’Brien, the Party, and all the rest, you can see that Orwell’s laying rest, you can see that Orwell’s laying everythingeverything on the table during the on the table during the first chapter.first chapter.

We should be deeply, deeply We should be deeply, deeply suspicious of O’Brien. He’s an Inner suspicious of O’Brien. He’s an Inner Party member, for God’s sake, not Party member, for God’s sake, not our friend. our friend.

You don’t assume a shark in the You don’t assume a shark in the water is friendly just because it water is friendly just because it doesn’t automatically attack your leg doesn’t automatically attack your leg at first sight.at first sight.

But we’re not looking at Oceania But we’re not looking at Oceania through Oceanian eyes yet. We’re through Oceanian eyes yet. We’re perceiving this world through our perceiving this world through our perspective – the one that automatically perspective – the one that automatically searches for nuggets of hope in bad searches for nuggets of hope in bad situations, the one that’s read book after situations, the one that’s read book after book in which the villain ultimately gets book in which the villain ultimately gets redeemed or helps the protagonist in the redeemed or helps the protagonist in the end. It’s an archetype!end. It’s an archetype!

We’re not nearly skeptical enough. We’re not nearly skeptical enough. We’re not familiar enough with Oceania to We’re not familiar enough with Oceania to be in the right mindset yet.be in the right mindset yet.

Our backgrounds, experiences, and Our backgrounds, experiences, and upbringings have left us vulnerable – we upbringings have left us vulnerable – we miss what we should see, even as we miss what we should see, even as we spend the latter half of Part One cursing spend the latter half of Part One cursing the Symes and proles of the world for not the Symes and proles of the world for not seeing what they should.seeing what they should.

Orwell counts on this, the self-inflicted Orwell counts on this, the self-inflicted distortion, because he’s proving a point: distortion, because he’s proving a point: You see You see what you’re conditioned to see.what you’re conditioned to see.

It’s not just about information control, but It’s not just about information control, but reality control as well.reality control as well.

This is how the Inner Party, seriously This is how the Inner Party, seriously undermanned and starved of resources, can keep undermanned and starved of resources, can keep a massive population in check as it enriches itself a massive population in check as it enriches itself (relatively speaking): it conditions those who (relatively speaking): it conditions those who could replace it to depend on it, to fear a future could replace it to depend on it, to fear a future without it.without it.

In modern political thought, you can In modern political thought, you can persuade a voter to support a law that runs persuade a voter to support a law that runs counter to their principles or interests through counter to their principles or interests through two approaches: that of hope and compassion, two approaches: that of hope and compassion, and that of fear and greed.and that of fear and greed.

Orwell says the latter is more persuasive, Orwell says the latter is more persuasive, and I sometimes have a very tough time and I sometimes have a very tough time disagreeing.disagreeing.

The problem, of course, is that we The problem, of course, is that we don’t like to recognize this quality in don’t like to recognize this quality in ourselves: one of the reasons people can ourselves: one of the reasons people can manipulate our fears is that we reflexively manipulate our fears is that we reflexively recoil from the idea that we could be so recoil from the idea that we could be so basely motivated. basely motivated.

All you have to do at that point is play All you have to do at that point is play with language: dress up pain as noble with language: dress up pain as noble sacrifice, prejudice as patriotism, etc.sacrifice, prejudice as patriotism, etc.

Chapter One toys with that dichotomy Chapter One toys with that dichotomy between ideology and reality, studying between ideology and reality, studying what we’ll ignore or miss outright in the what we’ll ignore or miss outright in the name of maintaining a “normal” everyday name of maintaining a “normal” everyday routine, and it does so both through routine, and it does so both through linguistic juxtapositions and the split-linguistic juxtapositions and the split-screened Expectations/Reality trick from screened Expectations/Reality trick from last semester’s last semester’s (500) Days of Summer.(500) Days of Summer.

First, the language. From the instant First, the language. From the instant the clocks strike thirteen, we know this the clocks strike thirteen, we know this book is going to be trouble: either the book is going to be trouble: either the laws of time have been screwed up laws of time have been screwed up somehow, or the society we’re about to somehow, or the society we’re about to study has been permanently militarized study has been permanently militarized (since military time dispenses with am/pm (since military time dispenses with am/pm designations, operating instead on a designations, operating instead on a twenty-four-hour cycle). twenty-four-hour cycle).

We suspect it’s the latter when we We suspect it’s the latter when we realize everything’s branded “Victory realize everything’s branded “Victory This” and “Victory That.”This” and “Victory That.”

And we come to realize that not only And we come to realize that not only do we lack the specialized terms we need do we lack the specialized terms we need to understand this world – what the heck to understand this world – what the heck is is doublethink?doublethink? – but that the words we – but that the words we think we know have somehow been think we know have somehow been distorted, have come untethered from distorted, have come untethered from their conventional meanings.their conventional meanings.

So we’ve been inserted into a world where a So we’ve been inserted into a world where a negative principle (people will give up everything negative principle (people will give up everything in the name of safety and selfishness) governs in the name of safety and selfishness) governs everything.everything.

We don’t have the vocabulary, let alone the We don’t have the vocabulary, let alone the mindset, to process it all.mindset, to process it all.

What’s interesting is that Orwell’s narrative What’s interesting is that Orwell’s narrative lens (Winston) isn’t someone who has it all lens (Winston) isn’t someone who has it all figured out, navigating a complicated, figured out, navigating a complicated, challenging world suavely and smoothly.challenging world suavely and smoothly.

Winston’s frightened, broken, and alone, Winston’s frightened, broken, and alone, just as powerless as we are – and he’s our just as powerless as we are – and he’s our onlyonly entry point into the world.entry point into the world.

What ends up happening, of course, is that What ends up happening, of course, is that we end up trusting him completely – we end up trusting him completely – because because he’s the only one we can relate tohe’s the only one we can relate to..

Never mind that we Never mind that we shouldshould know that know that Winston’s perceptions are unreliable.Winston’s perceptions are unreliable.

We come to trust him because we need him.We come to trust him because we need him.

One of the most interesting points Orwell One of the most interesting points Orwell raises is the relationship between trust and raises is the relationship between trust and need.need.

We tend to think of trust in terms of We tend to think of trust in terms of whether someone whether someone deservesdeserves it, whether someone it, whether someone earns earns it. We certainly wouldn’t want to be people it. We certainly wouldn’t want to be people who just trust indiscriminately – how naïve! – so who just trust indiscriminately – how naïve! – so people have to earn their place in your life, in people have to earn their place in your life, in your heart.your heart.

Except, Orwell counters, that’s not what Except, Orwell counters, that’s not what happens. You trust who you need to trust in happens. You trust who you need to trust in order to survive. order to survive.

If everyone’s relatively horrible to you, and If everyone’s relatively horrible to you, and three people are less so, you’ll trust them more three people are less so, you’ll trust them more without even realizing what you’re doing.without even realizing what you’re doing.

You need them, so you make them You need them, so you make them necessary.necessary.

It’s what Winston does with Julia, and with It’s what Winston does with Julia, and with O’Brien: in a society defined by fear, suspicion, O’Brien: in a society defined by fear, suspicion, hostility, selfishness, and pain, any outlet will do.hostility, selfishness, and pain, any outlet will do.

This is also where Orwell begins showing us This is also where Orwell begins showing us the contrast between ideology and reality, as well the contrast between ideology and reality, as well as teaching us to appreciate beauty in small bursts as teaching us to appreciate beauty in small bursts while moving us into a “hunkered-down” mindset – while moving us into a “hunkered-down” mindset – we read the book afraid of what might happen. we read the book afraid of what might happen.

And as we go through the chapter, getting And as we go through the chapter, getting our first glimpses of daily life – both the routines our first glimpses of daily life – both the routines (Two Minutes’ Hate) and social conventions – and (Two Minutes’ Hate) and social conventions – and seeing who thrives (as well as the dangers that seeing who thrives (as well as the dangers that threaten survival), we find that even Winston threaten survival), we find that even Winston himself can startle us.himself can startle us.

We’re truly starting out We’re truly starting out in media res in media res – this is – this is Winston at his tipping point, approaching Captain Winston at his tipping point, approaching Captain Sisko’s line from Sisko’s line from In the Pale Moonlight In the Pale Moonlight and crossing and crossing over it.over it.

And we witness Winston’s first real risk, and And we witness Winston’s first real risk, and the thrill of it blinds us to the other stuff – the stuff the thrill of it blinds us to the other stuff – the stuff that foreshadows a ridiculous amount of the book’s that foreshadows a ridiculous amount of the book’s final chapters.final chapters.

Basically, the first chapter is Basically, the first chapter is reallyreally important, important, even if it seems like “nothing happens.”even if it seems like “nothing happens.”

The second chapter establishes some more The second chapter establishes some more social structure – youth organizations, family social structure – youth organizations, family systems, and so on – as well as explaining more systems, and so on – as well as explaining more about thoughtcrime, slogans, etc.about thoughtcrime, slogans, etc.

It also includes some devastating social It also includes some devastating social commentary – our desire to “re-savage” our commentary – our desire to “re-savage” our young in order to mold them into ideal young in order to mold them into ideal citizen/soldiers comes back to destroy us, citizen/soldiers comes back to destroy us, because children can’t be trusted.because children can’t be trusted.

Similarly, the hatred displayed by the Similarly, the hatred displayed by the Parsons children crystallizes Orwell’s feelings Parsons children crystallizes Orwell’s feelings regarding the demonization of foes: that hatred regarding the demonization of foes: that hatred begets hatred, not safety.begets hatred, not safety.

Finally, the child’s taunt of Winston, Finally, the child’s taunt of Winston, shrugged off here as just some kid messing shrugged off here as just some kid messing around, helps underline something Orwell around, helps underline something Orwell establishes in the first chapter: that Winston, establishes in the first chapter: that Winston, having committed thoughtcrime, having committed thoughtcrime, isis “already “already dead.”’dead.”’

When better to start living than now?When better to start living than now? (This helps explain Part Two, by the way.)(This helps explain Part Two, by the way.)

The third chapter gives us hints of The third chapter gives us hints of Winston’s past; the “dream” will Winston’s past; the “dream” will eventually reveal a great deal about what eventually reveal a great deal about what Winston won’t acknowledge (which makes Winston won’t acknowledge (which makes perfect sense, considering the horrible perfect sense, considering the horrible nature of his past).nature of his past).

It’s our first real hint of pre-It’s our first real hint of pre-Revolution life’s actual nature, and the Revolution life’s actual nature, and the chapter further examines the Ingsoc chapter further examines the Ingsoc dystopia, deconstructing the methods dystopia, deconstructing the methods used to keep the populace in checkused to keep the populace in check

Everything we see here helps Everything we see here helps reinforce the “dehumanization” motif reinforce the “dehumanization” motif that’s present in everything the Party that’s present in everything the Party does; the less like humans the Party can does; the less like humans the Party can make us, the more effective its rule.make us, the more effective its rule.

The fourth chapter gives us a more well-The fourth chapter gives us a more well-rounded picture of Winston’s purpose, and rounded picture of Winston’s purpose, and fills in the “sketch” we’ve formed of him fills in the “sketch” we’ve formed of him through the first three chapters.through the first three chapters.

It’s a particularly helpful section for It’s a particularly helpful section for those trying to understand what the those trying to understand what the Ministries do, as it at least hints at each Ministries do, as it at least hints at each one’s true purpose.one’s true purpose.

We also see exactly how history easily We also see exactly how history easily can be “written” rather than recorded – one can be “written” rather than recorded – one of the things Orwell feared most.of the things Orwell feared most.

Finally, the chapter reveals a great deal Finally, the chapter reveals a great deal about the Party’s “psychological profile” – its about the Party’s “psychological profile” – its pathological need to be pathological need to be flawlessflawless, its all-, its all-consuming and unceasing hungers, its consuming and unceasing hungers, its blatant contradictions and inefficiencies, and blatant contradictions and inefficiencies, and its compulsive desire to dominate anything its compulsive desire to dominate anything and everything.and everything.

In the fifth chapter, our cast expands: We In the fifth chapter, our cast expands: We meet Syme and Parsons, which gives us a meet Syme and Parsons, which gives us a spectrum-wide view of the people the Party spectrum-wide view of the people the Party controls.controls.

We also begin to really understand We also begin to really understand Newspeak’s nefarious nature: that its Newspeak’s nefarious nature: that its elimination of words necessarily limits one’s elimination of words necessarily limits one’s range of thought, which in turn helps entrench range of thought, which in turn helps entrench the Party in a position of permanent authority.the Party in a position of permanent authority.

Winston continues ruminating on the Winston continues ruminating on the bizarre reality of Oceanian existence – the false bizarre reality of Oceanian existence – the false faces everyone wears and the false stats faces everyone wears and the false stats everyone swallowseveryone swallows

We start seeing hints about how life was We start seeing hints about how life was before the Revolution.before the Revolution.

And most importantly, the dark-haired girl And most importantly, the dark-haired girl is back…until she’s gone again!is back…until she’s gone again!

The sixth chapter provides us with The sixth chapter provides us with some more insight into Winston’s some more insight into Winston’s psychological profile, damaged though it psychological profile, damaged though it might be.might be.

We’ve wondered why he seems so We’ve wondered why he seems so obsessed with sex and love; now we obsessed with sex and love; now we understand why he’s deeply lonely, as the understand why he’s deeply lonely, as the “marriage” outlined here sounds “marriage” outlined here sounds profoundly broken and sad. (Also, profoundly broken and sad. (Also, Katharine’s not dead; she’s just not here, Katharine’s not dead; she’s just not here, and never will be.)and never will be.)

Orwell’s inclusion of the toothless Orwell’s inclusion of the toothless prole paints an explicit picture of the way prole paints an explicit picture of the way the Party has twisted human instinct, the Party has twisted human instinct, particularly when it comes to love and particularly when it comes to love and sexuality.sexuality.

But we remain confused about But we remain confused about whywhy the Party bothers to do all of this…a the Party bothers to do all of this…a question that won’t be answered soon.question that won’t be answered soon.

The seventh chapter gives us more The seventh chapter gives us more information about the proles, who have information about the proles, who have received cursory mentions previously.received cursory mentions previously.

It also goes back into life before It also goes back into life before the Revolution (notice the pattern?).the Revolution (notice the pattern?).

This chapter – along with the next This chapter – along with the next one – is one of the most important in one – is one of the most important in terms of foreshadowing; everything terms of foreshadowing; everything from the song playing in the Chestnut from the song playing in the Chestnut Tree Café to Winston’s quotes – “I Tree Café to Winston’s quotes – “I understand HOW…” – is incredibly understand HOW…” – is incredibly critical, and should not be forgotten or critical, and should not be forgotten or passed over.passed over.

In the last of our quick-hit looks at In the last of our quick-hit looks at Part One’s chapters, the eighth and final Part One’s chapters, the eighth and final section takes us into the Prole village, section takes us into the Prole village, showing us all of its weird quirks – its showing us all of its weird quirks – its exposure to war, its lottery and trivial exposure to war, its lottery and trivial concerns, its connection to a past that concerns, its connection to a past that fascinates Winston but seems fascinates Winston but seems unimportant to the proles themselves.unimportant to the proles themselves.

The chapter essentially allows The chapter essentially allows Winston to try his hand at time-traveling; Winston to try his hand at time-traveling; some attempts are less successful (Old some attempts are less successful (Old Prole Man) than others (Charrington’s Prole Man) than others (Charrington’s shop).shop).

Winston also finds the paperweight, Winston also finds the paperweight, an important symbol of a lost heritage – an important symbol of a lost heritage – one last piece of beauty in an ugly world…one last piece of beauty in an ugly world…something finally worth saving.something finally worth saving.