23 October 2012
1984
Winston knows that they claim the ruler is a figure known as Big Brother. He is there to show power and scare the people into doing the right thing. The only thing is, Winston does not know if he actually is real or not. There is no written proof that shows whether or not Big Brother exists. I think Big Brother was made up so the people would have someone to idolize without actually seeing his real face. There is a face plastered all over Oceania that is supposed to represent him, but I believe the Party made it all up. It is only a name to hand power to, and it allows the people to feel safe under their leader, ensuring that BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.
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11 comments:
I surprisingly am actually enjoying this so far, it's definitely interesting to read about a society so ridiculously controlled by it's government. It's difficult to imagine that there are places in our world today similarly controlled. However, one thing about this story that I find especially shocking is the way in which they just rewrite history like it's no biggie. I just want to understand what led to such a messed up way of life and what the rest of the world thinks if that's even included in the story...
I want to understand how these people became so brain washed. reminds me of animal farm
In regards to what Anna said, I agree that Big Brother is more of an idea than an actual person. I think the significance of Big Brother is not that one person is watching you all the time, but that the Party is always watching you. Every move, every action, every word is overseen by the government. Even the citizen's thoughts are monitored by the Thought Police. This society is now completely oppressed due to the Party, and they can't have anything of their own, not even their mind.
Yes, I have to agree with Kate. Is "Big Brother" this real person? Or is it just used to scare the society into submission. How are the able to function when they cant express themselves even in their own home? And I was also wondering how the society got to this place. How did they let this happen?
I was so shocked when I read that Winston and Julia decided to tell O'Brien that they were against the party. Do they know enough about him to truly trust him? I sure didnt think so. I am only half way through the reading so I hope to find out more soon. Do I trust O'Brien? I have not yet decided. Hopefully everything turns out as good as they originally expected.
I agree with you Lauren, it was a risky move for Winston and Julia to tell O'Brien. But I think they all know eventually there is only one outcome to their lives if they do not act now. Might as well find out about the people and see if they can create some sort of revolution. If they get caught, then we all know what happens. I think they just think it's now or never. Their already in hot water, might as well stir the pot.
Well, Lauren and Anna, I think that O'Brien is trustworthy. If he were a member of the Thought Police or were someone that were going to turn Winston and Julia in, he would have already done so and they'd be vaporized by this point. I'm glad that Winston found someone else that is on his side, or a whole underground community for that matter. I didn't know what to expect when Winston went to O'Brien's house, but I'm glad it played out like it did. I'm excited to find out what happens to Winston and Julia as they begin their alliance with the Brotherhood.
oh em geeeeeee can't believe sweet ol Mr. Charrington works for the thought police. Totally took me by surprise. And I think O'Brien is definitely trustworthy now that Winston obtained and read the book. Which, by the way, was extremely boring I don't know about you guys but I had to skim and skip around, couldn't focus on it. It was too repetitive.
The end of the book surprised me. I expected Winston to be killed in the Ministry of Love. I'm sure he still will be, but I certainly didn't think the Thought Police would release him first. What is he to do now? He lives a life with no purpose, he is as mindless and ignorant as the Proles now. I didn't like the end of the book. I wish somehow Winston and Julia could have emerged victorious. Or even if Winston was killed, at least the readers would have closure. This ending leaves you wondering what will happen to Winston, when he'll be killed, or if he ever regains his old demeanor.
Kate I am thinking Orwell left the ending like he did so people would continue to question. Clearly this book was not meant for any happy endings, as it seems nothing was happy at all in this book. Orwell was probably sending a message to the people reading the book the dangers of letting the goverment control too much. I think he didn't kill Winston meerly because then he would have been put out of his misery. Left him hanging there so the people would see how dying would be the better solution than being brainwashed. So in a way, Winston is suffering even more than death itself.
I have to agree Anna! Orwell left the book as it is to show a warning to the future generations. He was trying to portray the message that letting the government take complete control is not the answer. But I also agree with Kate. I did not like this ending at all. I understand that the ending was left to keep us wondering but what will happen? I don't think he will be killed but I do not like that he is now "for" the Party. How did they brainwash him so well? I wish the book would have ended with more closure. But overall, this book leaves us with a warning for generations to come and an overall interesting read.
Wow, Anna.. very insightful. I agree. And yes this book was incredibly depressing and as much as I hate our government sometimes, reading it has made me pretty thankful for it. I also think Orwell's purpose in sparing Winston's life was to demonstrate that death would be an escape in his case. To keep him alive is a punishment, and further makes Orwell's point just how negative and destructive totalitarian forms of government can be.
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