The Heart of the CrystalThe Heart of the Crystal

FeracoFeracoMyth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

15 March 201015 March 2010

WinstonWinston

• WinstonWinston is the book’s protagonist, an is the book’s protagonist, an unhealthy middle-aged man whose unhealthy middle-aged man whose simultaneously optimistic and pessimistic simultaneously optimistic and pessimistic perspective provides us with access to Orwell’s perspective provides us with access to Orwell’s horrifying world. horrifying world.

• Winston is mildly intelligent, although not Winston is mildly intelligent, although not exactly a genius. exactly a genius.

• He’s perceptive enough to pick up on certain He’s perceptive enough to pick up on certain Party lies, and his ability to remember the past Party lies, and his ability to remember the past makes him unusual.makes him unusual.

WinstonWinston

• What makes Winston stand out, however, What makes Winston stand out, however, is his willingness to be guided by his is his willingness to be guided by his instincts. instincts.

• It’s his instinct that makes him realize It’s his instinct that makes him realize that the world’s gone wrong somehow, that the world’s gone wrong somehow, his instinct that drives him to meet with his instinct that drives him to meet with Julia rather than condemn her as a Julia rather than condemn her as a thought-criminal, and his instinct that thought-criminal, and his instinct that inexorably drives him into O’Brien’s inexorably drives him into O’Brien’s clutches. clutches.

WinstonWinston

• He’s a flawed human being, and not an He’s a flawed human being, and not an incredibly likeable one. incredibly likeable one.

• There’s no reason to believe that this ordinary There’s no reason to believe that this ordinary man can defeat an unbeatable system. man can defeat an unbeatable system.

• His normalcy, however, allows him to be His normalcy, however, allows him to be honest, and leads us to trust him in ways we honest, and leads us to trust him in ways we trust no other character. trust no other character.

• What we see with Winston is what we get, and What we see with Winston is what we get, and there’s something comforting about that in a there’s something comforting about that in a world where parents can’t even trust their world where parents can’t even trust their children. children.

JuliaJulia

• JuliaJulia begins the book as Winston’s imagined begins the book as Winston’s imagined enemy; he views her with a combination of lust enemy; he views her with a combination of lust and disgust during the initial “Hate” scene. and disgust during the initial “Hate” scene. – (Winston’s true enemy also makes an appearance in (Winston’s true enemy also makes an appearance in

this scene, but we’ll get to him later.) this scene, but we’ll get to him later.) • However, Part Two paints Julia as an However, Part Two paints Julia as an

enthusiastic (yet apathetic) ally. enthusiastic (yet apathetic) ally. • She’s overjoyed to make contact with someone She’s overjoyed to make contact with someone

else who loathes the Party, and her unusually else who loathes the Party, and her unusually quick wits allow her to see through Party quick wits allow her to see through Party doctrines that even Winston swallows doctrines that even Winston swallows unthinkingly.unthinkingly.

JuliaJulia

• However, her interest in overthrowing the However, her interest in overthrowing the party is mild at best. “The Theory and party is mild at best. “The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism” Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism” literally puts her to sleep. literally puts her to sleep.

• She has the gifts Winston needs with She has the gifts Winston needs with none of his drive. none of his drive.

• Together, they make a revolutionary; Together, they make a revolutionary; apart, they are incomplete halves. apart, they are incomplete halves.

JuliaJulia

• As the only major female character in the novel, As the only major female character in the novel, Julia’s painted pretty shallowly, which is a Julia’s painted pretty shallowly, which is a shame.shame.

• Orwell may have intentionally botched her Orwell may have intentionally botched her portrayal to emphasize the “damaged humans” portrayal to emphasize the “damaged humans” motif, which is one of the reasons the motif, which is one of the reasons the Julia/Winston conversations sound so oddly Julia/Winston conversations sound so oddly stilted (whereas the Winston/O’Brien stilted (whereas the Winston/O’Brien conversations seem fairly normal).conversations seem fairly normal).

JuliaJulia

• Limitations aside, Julia gives the novel its narrative kick. Limitations aside, Julia gives the novel its narrative kick. • Her partnership with Winston drives the middle section Her partnership with Winston drives the middle section

of the book, and their separation sets the stage for the of the book, and their separation sets the stage for the conclusion. conclusion.

• Without the bond between the two main characters, the Without the bond between the two main characters, the book could have ended fairly quickly. book could have ended fairly quickly.

• Instead, the silent battle each fights (and loses) on Instead, the silent battle each fights (and loses) on behalf of the other prolongs their pain – and makes behalf of the other prolongs their pain – and makes their individual defeats all the harder to stomach. their individual defeats all the harder to stomach.

O’BrienO’Brien

• O’BrienO’Brien is the novel’s multifaceted is the novel’s multifaceted villain, a figure whose influence hovers villain, a figure whose influence hovers over the entire narrative until the final over the entire narrative until the final chapter. chapter.

• He is, like Julia, both unusually perceptive He is, like Julia, both unusually perceptive and frustratingly blind. and frustratingly blind.

• As a member of the Inner Party, O’Brien As a member of the Inner Party, O’Brien engages in the strongest type of engages in the strongest type of doublethink.doublethink.

O’BrienO’Brien

• Doublethink enables O’Brien and his ilk to Doublethink enables O’Brien and his ilk to maintain their stranglehold on power in maintain their stranglehold on power in Oceania, and allows him to justify what Oceania, and allows him to justify what he does to Winston and others. he does to Winston and others.

• Yet he simultaneously seems to think that Yet he simultaneously seems to think that he’s doing something that’s almost noble he’s doing something that’s almost noble – even though he’s clearly aware he’s – even though he’s clearly aware he’s “evil.” “evil.”

O’BrienO’Brien

• O’Brien fascinates readers as thoroughly O’Brien fascinates readers as thoroughly as he fascinates Winston. as he fascinates Winston.

• There’s a seductive air of mystery about There’s a seductive air of mystery about him, and that mystery leads us to hope him, and that mystery leads us to hope irrationally – as Winston does – that he’ll irrationally – as Winston does – that he’ll save the day in the end. save the day in the end.

• He seems so refined, with his spectacles, He seems so refined, with his spectacles, servants, and wine. servants, and wine.

O’BrienO’Brien

• His betrayal of Winston punches readers in the His betrayal of Winston punches readers in the proverbial gut, and the revelation that he’s been proverbial gut, and the revelation that he’s been waiting to snare Winston immediately removes any sort waiting to snare Winston immediately removes any sort of rationality from readers. of rationality from readers.

• Think about what you thought as you read the end…Think about what you thought as you read the end…you probably felt dread, and anger, and you probably felt dread, and anger, and disappointment, but were you thinking things through disappointment, but were you thinking things through logically as you turned the pages? logically as you turned the pages?

• Had you been hoping Winston would somehow escape Had you been hoping Winston would somehow escape the seemingly inescapable?the seemingly inescapable?

• Were you still holding out hope in Part Three?Were you still holding out hope in Part Three?

O’BrienO’Brien

• Finally, O’Brien represents contradiction, and Finally, O’Brien represents contradiction, and not simply through doublethink. not simply through doublethink.

• He is the father figure who punishes, the He is the father figure who punishes, the torturer who perfects through destruction, the torturer who perfects through destruction, the darkness and the light. darkness and the light.

• When he leaves the narrative for good, he When he leaves the narrative for good, he leaves behind a “perfect” Winston – a Winston leaves behind a “perfect” Winston – a Winston who is no longer himself. who is no longer himself.

• In this way, O’Brien is a sort of “anti-god” – the In this way, O’Brien is a sort of “anti-god” – the creator who destroys. creator who destroys.

ParsonsParsons• ParsonsParsons is another type of villain altogether. is another type of villain altogether. • He’s not malevolent, but he’s definitely dangerous. He’s not malevolent, but he’s definitely dangerous. • While O’Brien is dangerous because his insanity turns While O’Brien is dangerous because his insanity turns

his brilliant mind toward evil ends, Parsons is his brilliant mind toward evil ends, Parsons is dangerous because men like O’Brien are powerless dangerous because men like O’Brien are powerless without the support of him and his kind. without the support of him and his kind.

• Parsons blends mindless, blind loyalty with tireless Parsons blends mindless, blind loyalty with tireless enthusiasm in order to support the Party, and the Party enthusiasm in order to support the Party, and the Party taps this “stupid nationalism” whenever they need to taps this “stupid nationalism” whenever they need to shore up their power. shore up their power.

• They do it to the Outer Party, they do it to the proles – They do it to the Outer Party, they do it to the proles – and they do it well. and they do it well.

ParsonsParsons• Parsons almost crosses into self-parody when we see Parsons almost crosses into self-parody when we see

him in Part Three; he’s completely unaware that he him in Part Three; he’s completely unaware that he didn’t say anything against the Party, and splits his didn’t say anything against the Party, and splits his time between loathing himself for his “disloyalty,” time between loathing himself for his “disloyalty,” feeling grateful to Big Brother for “his” willingness to feeling grateful to Big Brother for “his” willingness to “cure” him, and feeling proud of his daughter for loving “cure” him, and feeling proud of his daughter for loving the Party enough to turn in her own father. the Party enough to turn in her own father.

• It never occurs to him that unconscious speech against It never occurs to him that unconscious speech against Big Brother shouldn’t be an offense punishable by Big Brother shouldn’t be an offense punishable by death. death.

• However, nothing is funny about that scene; readers However, nothing is funny about that scene; readers are either disgusted, horrified, or some combination of are either disgusted, horrified, or some combination of both. both.

ParsonsParsons

• Parsons’s patriotism is as relentless and Parsons’s patriotism is as relentless and mechanical as the actions of any Inner mechanical as the actions of any Inner Party member, and that’s why he’s so Party member, and that’s why he’s so dangerous. dangerous.

• Without people like him, the Inner Party Without people like him, the Inner Party has no one else to protect it from the has no one else to protect it from the larger Outer Party, let alone the proles. larger Outer Party, let alone the proles.

ParsonsParsons

• Ironically, the Inner Party is incredibly aware of history Ironically, the Inner Party is incredibly aware of history and historical trends (I say “ironically” because they are and historical trends (I say “ironically” because they are simultaneously dedicated to eradicating that history). simultaneously dedicated to eradicating that history).

• They know all too well that some of history’s worst They know all too well that some of history’s worst atrocities have been committed by leaders who were atrocities have been committed by leaders who were empowered by the violent and the loudmouthed, the empowered by the violent and the loudmouthed, the angry and the stupid. angry and the stupid.

• The support of millions of Parsons powers the Party – The support of millions of Parsons powers the Party – and when they’re used up, the Party discards them like and when they’re used up, the Party discards them like so many used batteries. so many used batteries.

SymeSyme

• SymeSyme works in the Ministry of Truth, and edits works in the Ministry of Truth, and edits an edition of the Newspeak dictionary.an edition of the Newspeak dictionary.

• He is the anti-Parsons, resembling O’Brien more He is the anti-Parsons, resembling O’Brien more than anyone else. than anyone else.

• His casual dismissal of the proles, along with his His casual dismissal of the proles, along with his enthusiasm for Newspeak and the destruction enthusiasm for Newspeak and the destruction of thoughtcrime, make him a wonderful of thoughtcrime, make him a wonderful supporter of Party ideology (Winston thinks to supporter of Party ideology (Winston thinks to himself that Syme’s mind is “viciously himself that Syme’s mind is “viciously orthodox”).orthodox”).

SymeSyme

• Yet his mind makes him dangerous Yet his mind makes him dangerous because, like Julia’s, it’s too perceptive. because, like Julia’s, it’s too perceptive.

• The Party does two things with strong The Party does two things with strong minds: It incorporates them (O’Brien says minds: It incorporates them (O’Brien says they “got him a long time ago,” implying they “got him a long time ago,” implying that he did not always occupy his that he did not always occupy his privileged position) or destroys them. privileged position) or destroys them. – Syme is destroyed. Syme is destroyed.

SymeSyme

• It's important to note that it's not Syme's It's important to note that it's not Syme's knowledge that makes him dangerous. knowledge that makes him dangerous.

• After all, if that were the case, the Inner Party After all, if that were the case, the Inner Party would be too busy executing its own members would be too busy executing its own members to function. to function.

• Instead, it's his ability to Instead, it's his ability to reasonreason that threatens that threatens the Party. the Party.

• His death is the book’s casual reminder of the His death is the book’s casual reminder of the lost value of intelligence – and the danger lost value of intelligence – and the danger inherent in “standing out.”inherent in “standing out.”

SymeSyme

• Note that while Julia insists that yelling Note that while Julia insists that yelling with the crowd is the only way to stay with the crowd is the only way to stay safe, Syme shows that’s not necessarily safe, Syme shows that’s not necessarily true. true.

• It’s more accurate to say you have to It’s more accurate to say you have to bebe the crowd in order to ensure your safety, the crowd in order to ensure your safety, especially considering how the Party aims especially considering how the Party aims to obliterate the “self” in its followers.to obliterate the “self” in its followers.

AmpleforthAmpleforth

• AmpleforthAmpleforth is a poet who works for the is a poet who works for the Ministry of Truth. Ministry of Truth.

• We see him a couple of times – he’s mentioned We see him a couple of times – he’s mentioned when we first see Winston at work, interferes when we first see Winston at work, interferes with Winston’s initial attempts to meet Julia, with Winston’s initial attempts to meet Julia, and thrown into prison at the outset of Part and thrown into prison at the outset of Part Three. Three.

• His crime was his decision to preserve “God” as His crime was his decision to preserve “God” as the final word in the second line of a Kipling the final word in the second line of a Kipling couplet. couplet.

AmpleforthAmpleforth

• Ampleforth matters because his crime matters. Ampleforth matters because his crime matters. – The nature of his crime is two-fold. The nature of his crime is two-fold.

• Orwell is obsessed with language and the ways Orwell is obsessed with language and the ways in which it controls our ability to think – just in which it controls our ability to think – just look at Newspeak! look at Newspeak!

• His other writings also grapple with the idea of His other writings also grapple with the idea of words giving and limiting power – well-chosen words giving and limiting power – well-chosen words have the power to liberate, and so on.words have the power to liberate, and so on.

AmpleforthAmpleforth

• Ampleforth is an extension of Orwell Ampleforth is an extension of Orwell himself, especially because he decides to himself, especially because he decides to preserve Kipling’s rhyme – something the preserve Kipling’s rhyme – something the author, an obsessive lover of language author, an obsessive lover of language himself, doubtlessly would have done. himself, doubtlessly would have done.

• (What is Orwell saying, then, when (What is Orwell saying, then, when Ampleforth is finally dispatched in the Ampleforth is finally dispatched in the worst possible way?) worst possible way?)

AmpleforthAmpleforth

• Secondly, look at the word he left in – “God.” Secondly, look at the word he left in – “God.” • While the Party itself is clearly atheist, it’s not While the Party itself is clearly atheist, it’s not

exactly secular – the devotion they demand to exactly secular – the devotion they demand to Big Brother goes beyond “cult” levels and Big Brother goes beyond “cult” levels and becomes a type of worship. becomes a type of worship.

• They substitute human fiction – Big Brother They substitute human fiction – Big Brother probably isn’t even real – for the human spirit, probably isn’t even real – for the human spirit, just as they substitute fiction and deceit for just as they substitute fiction and deceit for everything else.everything else.

AmpleforthAmpleforth

• Ampleforth’s imprisonment doesn’t represent atheistic Ampleforth’s imprisonment doesn’t represent atheistic overreach – it represents the destruction of the spirit overreach – it represents the destruction of the spirit and the soul. and the soul.

• If you think about it, the entire purpose of the Ministry If you think about it, the entire purpose of the Ministry of Love - of Love - especiallyespecially Room 101 - is to defeat the soul. Room 101 - is to defeat the soul.

• It only makes sense that Ampleforth’s refusal to pervert It only makes sense that Ampleforth’s refusal to pervert a poem any further would threaten the party enough to a poem any further would threaten the party enough to warrant his destruction. warrant his destruction.

• After all, what is poetry but the language of the heart? After all, what is poetry but the language of the heart?

CharringtonCharrington

• CharringtonCharrington is eventually revealed to be is eventually revealed to be a member of the Thought Police. a member of the Thought Police.

• Before then, he appears to be a kindly Before then, he appears to be a kindly and discreet shopkeeper. and discreet shopkeeper.

• He provides Winston with the seeds of his He provides Winston with the seeds of his own destruction – the diary, the own destruction – the diary, the paperweight, the loft, and access for (and paperweight, the loft, and access for (and to) Julia. to) Julia.

CharringtonCharrington• We should be suspicious when he refuses to engage in We should be suspicious when he refuses to engage in

thoughtcrime himself (refusing to finish the song), but thoughtcrime himself (refusing to finish the song), but we, like Winston, are too caught up in everything else we, like Winston, are too caught up in everything else to notice that this fellow seems a bit odd. to notice that this fellow seems a bit odd.

• In fact, we’re just as willfully blind about Charrington as In fact, we’re just as willfully blind about Charrington as Winston is for the exact same reasons; we Winston is for the exact same reasons; we wantwant to to believe he’s everything he seems because we believe he’s everything he seems because we wantwant to to have a source of hope in a narrative that, at the point have a source of hope in a narrative that, at the point of Charrington’s introduction, has been incredibly bleak. of Charrington’s introduction, has been incredibly bleak.

• Just as Winston knows how his life will end, we know Just as Winston knows how his life will end, we know how the book will end. how the book will end.

• We just don’t want to acknowledge that the book can We just don’t want to acknowledge that the book can only end one conceivable way.only end one conceivable way.

CharringtonCharrington

• Considering he’s a member of the Thought Considering he’s a member of the Thought Police, Charrington’s picked a perversely Police, Charrington’s picked a perversely perfect location, surrounding himself with relics perfect location, surrounding himself with relics that contradict orthodoxy. that contradict orthodoxy.

• After all, how better to catch those with After all, how better to catch those with dangerous thoughts, with a dangerous interest dangerous thoughts, with a dangerous interest in a non-existent, non-Party-sanctioned version in a non-existent, non-Party-sanctioned version of the past, than to run an antique shop? of the past, than to run an antique shop?

Skull-Faced Man / BumsteadSkull-Faced Man / Bumstead

• The Skull-Faced ManThe Skull-Faced Man and the and the Fat ManFat Man (identified later as Bumstead) represent dueling (identified later as Bumstead) represent dueling arguments regarding human nature. arguments regarding human nature.

• Which describes us as we are? Which describes us as we are? • Are we fundamentally, foolishly, irredeemably Are we fundamentally, foolishly, irredeemably

good – compassionate to a fault, even at the good – compassionate to a fault, even at the end of all of our selfishness and deception? end of all of our selfishness and deception?

• Or are we really just creatures of self-Or are we really just creatures of self-preservation? preservation?

Skull-Faced Man / BumsteadSkull-Faced Man / Bumstead

• The skull-faced man represents our survival The skull-faced man represents our survival instinct. instinct.

• He’s been literally starved by the Party – an He’s been literally starved by the Party – an effective visual metaphor – but his desperation effective visual metaphor – but his desperation to survive confuses us. to survive confuses us.

• It’s not until we see Room 101 that we It’s not until we see Room 101 that we understand his fear. understand his fear.

• It’s not physical survival he wants, but spiritual It’s not physical survival he wants, but spiritual survival; he still believes a piece of himself survival; he still believes a piece of himself remains, and he had held out hope that he’d remains, and he had held out hope that he’d keep it until he died.keep it until he died.

Skull-Faced Man / BumsteadSkull-Faced Man / Bumstead

• Bumstead, on the other hand, represents one of the Bumstead, on the other hand, represents one of the Party’s greatest frustrations – that its conditioning isn’t Party’s greatest frustrations – that its conditioning isn’t perfect. perfect.

• With the knowledge that he’s being monitored by every With the knowledge that he’s being monitored by every telescreen in the room, Bumstead still walks over to the telescreen in the room, Bumstead still walks over to the skull-faced man and offers him a hidden supply of food. skull-faced man and offers him a hidden supply of food.

• It’s almost compulsive – an action that reveals a It’s almost compulsive – an action that reveals a conscience that can’t be “properly” betrayed. conscience that can’t be “properly” betrayed.

• The inhuman shriek that issues from the telescreen is The inhuman shriek that issues from the telescreen is the fury of an authority that can’t accept anything less the fury of an authority that can’t accept anything less than perfect devotion, and the violence they deal out in than perfect devotion, and the violence they deal out in response indicates an almost childlike ferocity at not response indicates an almost childlike ferocity at not getting what they want. getting what they want.

Skull-Faced Man / BumsteadSkull-Faced Man / Bumstead

• We see Bumstead receive this retribution and We see Bumstead receive this retribution and judge his actions as stupid, but that decision is judge his actions as stupid, but that decision is also one of the only purely honest ones we see also one of the only purely honest ones we see in the book. in the book.

• Bumstead guiltily and unwittingly stands up for Bumstead guiltily and unwittingly stands up for the things we say we’d die to defend – honor, the things we say we’d die to defend – honor, kindness, and brotherhood – and pays for it. kindness, and brotherhood – and pays for it.

• But the mark of principle is not whether it But the mark of principle is not whether it appears in times of goodness, but in times of appears in times of goodness, but in times of darkness…even in the place where there is darkness…even in the place where there is none. none.

Star PointsStar Points

• 19841984 forces us to be human, and to notice what forces us to be human, and to notice what we do as human beings. we do as human beings.

• We hope for an impossible outcome, placing We hope for an impossible outcome, placing our trust in characters we have no reason to our trust in characters we have no reason to believe or even like. believe or even like.

• Its characters spend each day in a lopsided Its characters spend each day in a lopsided battle to preserve their dignity and control, battle to preserve their dignity and control, treating nuggets of fresh awareness and self-treating nuggets of fresh awareness and self-knowledge as though they’re treasures. knowledge as though they’re treasures.

Star PointsStar Points

• I mentioned that the star diagram was I mentioned that the star diagram was incredibly distorted for Winston, a man whose incredibly distorted for Winston, a man whose every action carries with it the possibility of every action carries with it the possibility of retaliatory execution. retaliatory execution.

• What are independence and security for him What are independence and security for him but abstract concepts, ideas whose very but abstract concepts, ideas whose very existence fade further with the publication of existence fade further with the publication of each edition of the Newspeak dictionary?each edition of the Newspeak dictionary?

Star PointsStar Points

• How can he have a concept of love when How can he have a concept of love when everything we know about relationships and everything we know about relationships and family structures has been perverted beyond family structures has been perverted beyond recognition? recognition?

• How can he find enlightenment when How can he find enlightenment when everything that governs his existence seeks to everything that governs his existence seeks to further enslave him in ignorance? further enslave him in ignorance?

• And how can he develop an identity when his And how can he develop an identity when his entire job depends on his ability to make his entire job depends on his ability to make his influence invisible? influence invisible?

Star PointsStar Points

• Yet the star exists for Winston, just as it Yet the star exists for Winston, just as it exists for each of you. exists for each of you.

• Every moment from Parts One/Two is Every moment from Parts One/Two is about his attempt to drag one of those about his attempt to drag one of those disparate points a little bit closer to disparate points a little bit closer to himself.himself.

• Part Three, on the other hand, is about Part Three, on the other hand, is about how each of those points is how each of those points is systematically torn from him. systematically torn from him.

Star PointsStar Points

• First, the Party removes his independence First, the Party removes his independence (imprisonment). (imprisonment).

• Next, they remove his security (physical torture). Next, they remove his security (physical torture). • They move next into destroying his knowledge and They move next into destroying his knowledge and

understanding (torturing him into believing he’s insane, understanding (torturing him into believing he’s insane, entering the second stage of re-integration). entering the second stage of re-integration).

• They take away his sense of identity (“we will empty They take away his sense of identity (“we will empty you and fill you with ourselves”). you and fill you with ourselves”).

• Finally, they destroy the last vestige of humanity within Finally, they destroy the last vestige of humanity within him – his love for Julia. him – his love for Julia.

Star PointsStar Points

• As long as he clings to one of the Star As long as he clings to one of the Star points, he cannot be beatenpoints, he cannot be beaten

• The Party can destroy everything about The Party can destroy everything about him, his body and mind, but they cannot him, his body and mind, but they cannot declare victory until they earn that final declare victory until they earn that final desperate surrender. desperate surrender.

HumanityHumanity

• This one ties closely to the Star Point discussion, and I This one ties closely to the Star Point discussion, and I want you to notice two things about “humanity.” want you to notice two things about “humanity.”

• First, note the inhuman nature of the Party. First, note the inhuman nature of the Party. • You can’t really imagine other human beings doing this You can’t really imagine other human beings doing this

to one another – and yet Orwell does just that. to one another – and yet Orwell does just that. • The dehumanized Inner Party is particularly eerie, with The dehumanized Inner Party is particularly eerie, with

O’Brien putting a “refined” face on ruthlessness and O’Brien putting a “refined” face on ruthlessness and greed. greed.

• The Inner Party are gluttons – not just because they The Inner Party are gluttons – not just because they enjoy better tobacco and food, but because they enjoy better tobacco and food, but because they consume simply for the sake of consumption. consume simply for the sake of consumption.

HumanityHumanity

• The Party itself is a representation of what The Party itself is a representation of what we’re willing to do in the pursuit of power – how we’re willing to do in the pursuit of power – how quickly we’ll sacrifice basic human qualities in quickly we’ll sacrifice basic human qualities in order to justify a desirable end, or what terrible order to justify a desirable end, or what terrible lengths we’ll go to in the name of control and lengths we’ll go to in the name of control and protection. protection.

• In other words, they are what we become when In other words, they are what we become when we throw away the Star, when we dedicate all we throw away the Star, when we dedicate all of our energy to the amassing of power for of our energy to the amassing of power for power’s sake. power’s sake.

HumanityHumanity

• The other element I want you to notice lies on The other element I want you to notice lies on the opposite end of the political spectrum from the opposite end of the political spectrum from the Inner Party. the Inner Party.

• The proles are mindless and disgusting, The proles are mindless and disgusting, contentedly grinding their way through each contentedly grinding their way through each day without questioning why their lives take the day without questioning why their lives take the shapes they do. shapes they do.

• Yet they are the source of Winston’s tentative Yet they are the source of Winston’s tentative optimism, his great sleeping hope for the optimism, his great sleeping hope for the future.future.

HumanityHumanity

• Theoretically, the proles will rise up one day Theoretically, the proles will rise up one day and undo the damages the insurgent middle and undo the damages the insurgent middle class has wrought on the rest of the world; class has wrought on the rest of the world; sheer numbers dictate that they will overthrow sheer numbers dictate that they will overthrow the Party. the Party.

• Did you notice how Orwell always foreshadows Did you notice how Orwell always foreshadows developments? developments?

• Do you really think his repeated insistence Do you really think his repeated insistence through Winston that the proles will rise up – through Winston that the proles will rise up – bookended with Winston’s repeated (and bookended with Winston’s repeated (and eventually proven) assertion that he will be eventually proven) assertion that he will be captured and killed – was an accident? captured and killed – was an accident?

HumanityHumanity

• Also, what are the proles obsessed with? Also, what are the proles obsessed with? • A lottery – a probability game. A lottery – a probability game. • Since the odds are overwhelmingly high that Since the odds are overwhelmingly high that

the proles – the 85% of the population currently the proles – the 85% of the population currently dominated by the Party – will eventually dominated by the Party – will eventually become tired of living under someone else’s become tired of living under someone else’s boots, a knowledge of odds seems to be a boots, a knowledge of odds seems to be a worthwhile and symbolic pursuit. worthwhile and symbolic pursuit.

HumanityHumanity

• The proles’ greatest strength is that the Party takes The proles’ greatest strength is that the Party takes them for granted and ignores them as deeply as they them for granted and ignores them as deeply as they ignore it. ignore it.

• The reason why is exquisite doublethink: Party The reason why is exquisite doublethink: Party orthodoxy holds that the proles aren’t dangerous orthodoxy holds that the proles aren’t dangerous because they lack the intellectual capacity for danger, because they lack the intellectual capacity for danger, but they also stay largely out of the proles’ lives to but they also stay largely out of the proles’ lives to keep from spurring them into action. keep from spurring them into action.

• Thus the proles are simultaneously a source of comfort Thus the proles are simultaneously a source of comfort and danger, the jet of gasoline fuelling the Party’s and danger, the jet of gasoline fuelling the Party’s engine as it shoots past an open flame. engine as it shoots past an open flame.

HumanityHumanity• The Party’s inability to crush the proles entirely leads The Party’s inability to crush the proles entirely leads

them to hold the massive group at arm’s length. them to hold the massive group at arm’s length. • The problem with that approach is that the Party’s The problem with that approach is that the Party’s

power lies in its proximity; for Winston and others, the power lies in its proximity; for Winston and others, the appearance that the Party seems to be everywhere appearance that the Party seems to be everywhere keeps them in line. keeps them in line.

• By removing themselves from the proles’ daily lives By removing themselves from the proles’ daily lives and thoughts, the Party allows them to retain their and thoughts, the Party allows them to retain their humanity – which is the greatest weapon in an humanity – which is the greatest weapon in an ideological battle against the Party itself. ideological battle against the Party itself.

• By allowing its most dangerous opponent to retain its By allowing its most dangerous opponent to retain its humanity, the Party may have devised its own demise. humanity, the Party may have devised its own demise.

HumanityHumanity

• True, dangerous individuals are hunted down True, dangerous individuals are hunted down and killed – but look at how far Winston got on and killed – but look at how far Winston got on his own! his own!

• It may seem unlikely, but the odds are actually It may seem unlikely, but the odds are actually overwhelmingly stacked in favor of the proles; overwhelmingly stacked in favor of the proles; it’s simply a matter of noticing that truth and it’s simply a matter of noticing that truth and acting on it. acting on it.

• Orwell drops hints that this will happen; Orwell drops hints that this will happen; whether you believe him determines whether whether you believe him determines whether you feel you feel 19841984 ends with hope or despair. ends with hope or despair.

OppressionOppression

• It’s not hard to find it here. It’s not hard to find it here. • If you’re looking for specific examples, look at the ways If you’re looking for specific examples, look at the ways

in which the Party controls its citizens from waking (the in which the Party controls its citizens from waking (the Physical Jerks) to sleeping (the telescreens watching Physical Jerks) to sleeping (the telescreens watching them as they sleep). them as they sleep).

• The Eye always watches you – or at least you think it The Eye always watches you – or at least you think it does, and you don’t really want to risk finding out does, and you don’t really want to risk finding out whether it’s working. whether it’s working.

• Thus the telescreen becomes a self-sustaining system Thus the telescreen becomes a self-sustaining system of control – no one even needs to monitor them as long of control – no one even needs to monitor them as long as people believe the surveillance is active. as people believe the surveillance is active.

LossLoss

• 19841984 is a story built on loss – the loss of our is a story built on loss – the loss of our humanity, our heritage, and our thoughts. humanity, our heritage, and our thoughts.

• Winston loses everything in the end because he Winston loses everything in the end because he loses himself.loses himself.

• His desperate screams in the rat-cage are the His desperate screams in the rat-cage are the death rattles of his soul, with his freshly death rattles of his soul, with his freshly emptied body crying out for physical emptied body crying out for physical preservation.preservation.

• At the end, he’s hollow and alone. At the end, he’s hollow and alone.

LossLoss

• Those “close” to him are killed or torn Those “close” to him are killed or torn from him. from him.

• He cannot enjoy a family because he’s He cannot enjoy a family because he’s lost the concept of what a family should lost the concept of what a family should be. be.

• He cannot enjoy much of anything; the He cannot enjoy much of anything; the basic human right to the pursuit of basic human right to the pursuit of happiness has been removed. happiness has been removed.

LossLoss• Before he reaches the very end, Winston loses his Before he reaches the very end, Winston loses his

paperweight (an important symbol in the book, and a paperweight (an important symbol in the book, and a charmed object for him), the most concrete link to the charmed object for him), the most concrete link to the past in a book filled with them. past in a book filled with them.

• Winston dreams of the past, but such dreams are Winston dreams of the past, but such dreams are transitory, and disappear upon waking. transitory, and disappear upon waking.

• He loses song lyrics; he loses his wife. He loses song lyrics; he loses his wife. • His job deals with loss, and as long as Winston’s doing His job deals with loss, and as long as Winston’s doing

his job well, no one will even know he’s doing it. his job well, no one will even know he’s doing it. • In other words, Winston’s job is about losing truth so In other words, Winston’s job is about losing truth so

effectively that no trace of himself exists to be effectively that no trace of himself exists to be remembered. remembered.

FearFear

• Everything done in Oceania is done out of fear. Everything done in Oceania is done out of fear. • People compromise themselves out of fear, or People compromise themselves out of fear, or

play on fears in order to elevate themselves. play on fears in order to elevate themselves. • Winston refusing to express himself outside of Winston refusing to express himself outside of

the diary in Part One is an example of the the diary in Part One is an example of the former; Parsons’s daughter’s decision to have former; Parsons’s daughter’s decision to have her father imprisoned in order to gain attention her father imprisoned in order to gain attention is an example of the latter.is an example of the latter.

FearFear

• It is the fear of the Unknown Other that sustains It is the fear of the Unknown Other that sustains Oceania’s drive toward war – and the fact that the fear Oceania’s drive toward war – and the fact that the fear is completely misplaced only makes it more effective. is completely misplaced only makes it more effective.

• By fearing Neo-Bolshevism and Obliteration of the By fearing Neo-Bolshevism and Obliteration of the Self/Death-Worship, followers of Ingsoc can assure Self/Death-Worship, followers of Ingsoc can assure themselves that their way of life is superior to other themselves that their way of life is superior to other ways, and that those other ways threaten a familiar ways, and that those other ways threaten a familiar existence. existence.

• This gives them something to fight for and against, This gives them something to fight for and against, which gives the country the ability to sustain itself (and which gives the country the ability to sustain itself (and the Party the ability to hold power).the Party the ability to hold power).

FearFear

• In this way, In this way, 19841984’s central paradox is ’s central paradox is revealed: the country can only survive in revealed: the country can only survive in its current fashion if it keeps destroying its current fashion if it keeps destroying itself from within. itself from within.

• This war – not simply on Eastasia or This war – not simply on Eastasia or Eurasia, but on everyone within the Eurasia, but on everyone within the Party’s extensive reach – brings peace. Party’s extensive reach – brings peace.

MemoryMemory

• Memory is both useless and extremely Memory is both useless and extremely dangerous. dangerous.

• It’s useless because the Party can annihilate It’s useless because the Party can annihilate you for remembering something you aren’t you for remembering something you aren’t supposed to know; they have an entire Ministry supposed to know; they have an entire Ministry dedicated to destroying/altering memory and dedicated to destroying/altering memory and preserving those changes. preserving those changes.

• To remember something is to make yourself a To remember something is to make yourself a target, to weaken your chances at a long life; to target, to weaken your chances at a long life; to remain ignorant is to give yourself strength. remain ignorant is to give yourself strength.

MemoryMemory

• Moreover, memories are unreliable. Moreover, memories are unreliable. • The Old Prole Man doesn’t seem to be giving Winston The Old Prole Man doesn’t seem to be giving Winston

any information he can use (although those who re-any information he can use (although those who re-read the section will notice Winston simply doesn’t read the section will notice Winston simply doesn’t know how to recognize the information he’s been know how to recognize the information he’s been given). given).

• Winston’s own memories of the past come and go. Winston’s own memories of the past come and go. • He begins to doubt his own memories once he’s forced He begins to doubt his own memories once he’s forced

to do so. to do so. • What’s the point of remembering something when it What’s the point of remembering something when it

can’t do you any good? can’t do you any good?

MemoryMemory• However, memory represents the Party’s Achilles’ heel. However, memory represents the Party’s Achilles’ heel. • You can convince people they’re insane once they’re in You can convince people they’re insane once they’re in

your clutches, but what happens if some of your targets your clutches, but what happens if some of your targets evade you for a while? evade you for a while?

• What happens if their influence spreads? What happens if their influence spreads? • Fewer things make people instinctively, obsessively Fewer things make people instinctively, obsessively

angrier than being lied to or about, and the fury of the angrier than being lied to or about, and the fury of the proles upon finding out they’ve been duped all along proles upon finding out they’ve been duped all along would be tremendous. would be tremendous.

• This is why the Party obsesses over making itself look This is why the Party obsesses over making itself look perfect in the past even as it tries to stop people from perfect in the past even as it tries to stop people from thinking; it’s trying to cut off the means of its own thinking; it’s trying to cut off the means of its own destruction. destruction.

ConflictConflict

• Conflict exists within certain members of Conflict exists within certain members of Oceanian society; it is that internal Oceanian society; it is that internal conflict that leads to thoughtcrime. conflict that leads to thoughtcrime.

• That’s why Newspeak, doublethink, etc. That’s why Newspeak, doublethink, etc. are each predicated on the idea of are each predicated on the idea of ordering everything. ordering everything.

• With order, conflict (and the need for it) With order, conflict (and the need for it) becomes unthinkable. becomes unthinkable.

ConflictConflict

• Notice, also, how many of the conflicts in Notice, also, how many of the conflicts in 19841984 are manufactured. are manufactured.

• The battle between the Brotherhood and The battle between the Brotherhood and the Party is fake; so, too, is the war itself. the Party is fake; so, too, is the war itself.

• The prisoners of war are real, but they’re The prisoners of war are real, but they’re just fuel for the hate machine – like so just fuel for the hate machine – like so many coals in so many furnaces. many coals in so many furnaces.

ConflictConflict

• Why manufacture conflict? Why manufacture conflict? • Because people tend to do stupid things Because people tend to do stupid things

in order to feel safe. in order to feel safe. • The promise of conflict (and the chaos The promise of conflict (and the chaos

that ensues) paradoxically allows the that ensues) paradoxically allows the Party to hold power as the bastion of Party to hold power as the bastion of safety and stability Oceania needs. safety and stability Oceania needs.

FreedomFreedom

• It doesn’t exist, even for the Inner Party. It doesn’t exist, even for the Inner Party. • While the Party gains total control over virtually While the Party gains total control over virtually

anything it wants, it also controls itself. anything it wants, it also controls itself. • It may give itself access to luxuries, and its It may give itself access to luxuries, and its

members may be able to shut off their members may be able to shut off their telescreens – but it imprisons its most powerful telescreens – but it imprisons its most powerful members in the vise of doublethink most members in the vise of doublethink most strongly.strongly.

FreedomFreedom

• The proles are the only ones who are The proles are the only ones who are free, along with the animals, because free, along with the animals, because they aren’t supposed to matter. they aren’t supposed to matter.

• It’s just another paradox: the more you It’s just another paradox: the more you matter, the less free you are. matter, the less free you are.

CorruptionCorruption

• The party corrupts everything – the family The party corrupts everything – the family instinct, the sex instinct, the urge to belong, instinct, the sex instinct, the urge to belong, compassion for others – that makes a person a compassion for others – that makes a person a person. person.

• Look at Winston when we first meet him. Look at Winston when we first meet him. • He has no idea where his wife is, or what He has no idea where his wife is, or what

happened to her – nor does he care. happened to her – nor does he care. • This is a chilling image of what the Party can do This is a chilling image of what the Party can do

to the idea of family, underscored by the to the idea of family, underscored by the Parsons’ children running roughshod in Chapter Parsons’ children running roughshod in Chapter II.II.

CorruptionCorruption

• The Party also perverts the sex instinct to the The Party also perverts the sex instinct to the point where human beings are no longer point where human beings are no longer supposed to desire it – yet it simultaneously supposed to desire it – yet it simultaneously forces them to engage in actions that now forces them to engage in actions that now disgust them. disgust them.

• By forcing people to hate what they are now By forcing people to hate what they are now forced to do, the Party asserts its total forced to do, the Party asserts its total dominance over them. dominance over them.

• That’s the key to the corruption in That’s the key to the corruption in 19841984 - it’s all - it’s all about asserting control over people (for the about asserting control over people (for the sake of getting to do so). sake of getting to do so).