Monday, April 17, 2017

Book 3 Chapter 3 and 4

In chapter three, after weeks of interrogation and torture, O'Brien tells Winston about the Party's motives. Winston speculates that the Party rules the proles for their own good. O'Brien tortures him for this answer, saying that the Party's only goal is absolute, endless, and limitless power. Winston argues that the Party cannot alter the stars or the universe; O'Brien answers that it could if it needed to because the only reality that matters is the human mind, which the Party controls. O'Brien then forces Winston to look in a mirror. Winston then sees that he has completely deteriorated and looks gray and skeletal. Winston begins to wep and blames O'Brien for his condition. O'Brien replies that Winston  knew what would happen the moment he began diary. O'Brien then acknowledges the fact that Winston has held out by not betraying Julia, and Winston then feels overwhelmed with love and gratitude toward O'Brien for recognizing his strength. However, O'Brien tells Winston not to worry, as he will soon be cured. O'Brien then notes that it doesn't matter, since, in the end, everyone is a shot anyhow.

In chapter four, after some time, Winston is transferred to a more comfortable room and the torture eases. He dreams contently of Julia, his mother, and O'Brien in the Golden Country. He gains weight and is allowed to write on a small slate. He comes to the conclusion that he was foolish to oppose the party alone, and tries to make himself believe in Party slogans. He writes on his slate "FREEDOM IS SLAVERY," "TWO AND TWO MAKE FIVE," and "GOD IS POWER." 
One day, in a sudden passionate fit of misery, Winston screams out Julia's name many times, terrifying himself. Though he knows that crying out in this way will lead O'Brien to torture him, he realizes his deep desire to continue hating the Party. He tries to bottle up his hatred so that even he will not recognize it. Therefore, when the Party kills him, he will die hating Big Brother which would be a personal victory for him. But he cannot hide his feelings. When O'Brien arrives with the guards, he tells O'Brien that he hates Big Brother. O'Brien then replies that obeying Big Brother is not sufficient and that Winston must learn to love him. After that statement O'Brien instructs the guards to take Winston to room 101

2 comments:

  1. Good work. Keep it up. I don't even have to read the book, your blog summarizes the chapters.

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