Oh my gosh! Winston is a prisoner!
The conditions of the prison where Winston is being kept are ungodly and not fit for human life. Many telescreens monitor Winston's every single move. There are many other prisoners kept in jail. There is a fat old lady who thinks she is Winston's mother, and someone that used to work with him,whose name is Ampleforth. They talk about why they are being kept in prison until the guards take Ampleforth away.
Tom Parsons, Winston's neighbor, is stuck into Winston's cell. Parsons had been put there because his daughter turned him in to the thought police. The guards take Parsons away.
Winston thinks O'Brien will save him but realizes he is not going to be saved. O'Brien is not a member of the Brotherhood, just a fake one. He orders the guards to beat Winston.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Part 2
Join the brotherhood! Stop Big Brother and the Party from corrupting your every move!
The slogan above could indeed be used if the "Brotherhood" was not a secret. But, alas, the comrades of O'Brien and Winston are reduced to hiding in the shadows. Luckily, O'Brien is priveleged enough to turn off his apartment telescreen.
Julia and Winston agree to join The Brotherhood, a secret group banded to join together and are intent on destroying Big Brother and the party. Winston and Julia agree to do many things for the Brotherhood: Give their lives, commit murder, commit sabotage, betray Oceania, corrupt children, distribute drugs, encourage prostitution, spread V.D., lose their identity, and commit suicide. But Winston and Julia refuse to stop having a relationship. They will not stop their love for war.
The slogan above could indeed be used if the "Brotherhood" was not a secret. But, alas, the comrades of O'Brien and Winston are reduced to hiding in the shadows. Luckily, O'Brien is priveleged enough to turn off his apartment telescreen.
Julia and Winston agree to join The Brotherhood, a secret group banded to join together and are intent on destroying Big Brother and the party. Winston and Julia agree to do many things for the Brotherhood: Give their lives, commit murder, commit sabotage, betray Oceania, corrupt children, distribute drugs, encourage prostitution, spread V.D., lose their identity, and commit suicide. But Winston and Julia refuse to stop having a relationship. They will not stop their love for war.
Friday, March 7, 2008
A Song about "1984"
The song by David Bowie written about the novel "1984".
Someday they wont let you, now you must agree
The times they are a-telling, and the changing isnt free
Youve read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on tv
Beware the savage jawOf 1984
Theyll split your pretty cranium, and fill it full of air
And tell that youre eighty, but brother, you wont care
Youll be shooting up on anything, tomorrows never there
Beware the savage jawOf 1984
Come see, come see, remember me? We played out an all night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we enrolledIn 1984 (who could ask for more)
1984 (who could ask for mor-or-or-or-ore)(mor-or-or-or-ore)
Im looking for a vehicle, Im looking for a ride
Im looking for a party, Im looking for a side
Im looking for the treason that I knew in 65
Beware the savage jawOf 1984Come see, come see, remember me?
We played out an all night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we enrolled
In 1984 (who could ask for more)1984 (who could ask for mor-or-or-or-ore)(mor-or-or-or-ore)198419841984 (mor-or-or-or-ore)19841984 (mor-or-or-or-ore)1984
Someday they wont let you, now you must agree
The times they are a-telling, and the changing isnt free
Youve read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on tv
Beware the savage jawOf 1984
Theyll split your pretty cranium, and fill it full of air
And tell that youre eighty, but brother, you wont care
Youll be shooting up on anything, tomorrows never there
Beware the savage jawOf 1984
Come see, come see, remember me? We played out an all night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we enrolledIn 1984 (who could ask for more)
1984 (who could ask for mor-or-or-or-ore)(mor-or-or-or-ore)
Im looking for a vehicle, Im looking for a ride
Im looking for a party, Im looking for a side
Im looking for the treason that I knew in 65
Beware the savage jawOf 1984Come see, come see, remember me?
We played out an all night movie role
You said it would last, but I guess we enrolled
In 1984 (who could ask for more)1984 (who could ask for mor-or-or-or-ore)(mor-or-or-or-ore)198419841984 (mor-or-or-or-ore)19841984 (mor-or-or-or-ore)1984
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Differences Between Now and "1984"
Reading through 1984, there are many similarities and differences between the traditions we have nowadays and the way that the government worked in the novel "1984".
a) In 1984, "Newspeak" is the official language of Oceania. Nowadays, most of our language has to be politically correct or you would be basically labeled a 'racist' or be called someone who sticks their nose in the air at people lower-class than you.
b) In 1984, we have the Junior Anti-Sex League. Nowadays, we have many Abstinence Clubs and hoards of Evangelical Christians attempting to force Anti-Sex Lives on almost every person they happen upon.
c) In 1984, Telescreens are operated in all places, including private residences. Now, there are surveillance cameras on almost every street corner and in some private apartment buildings at the main entrances.
d)Many helicopters watch over the cities and towns to keep people abiding by the laws, enunciating the fact that "Big Brother is Always Watching You". Now, RCMP and Police Officers watch by the sides of the roads to enforce speeding, Drinking & Driving, and even not wearing a bicycle helmet.
e)The Lotteries have very little numbers of winners, and held only to generate taxes for the country. Now, there are very little number of people who win big at the lottery, while the government is generating millions in tax.
f)In 1984, they have the "Ministry of Peace" which actually is adept at warfare. Now, the US has the Department of Defence, who pretend to be doing better but actually creating more war.
g)1984: History from books and newspapers are continually being re-written to conform with "Newspeak". Nowadays, there is some evidence of history being taken out from books, such as Huck Finn.
h)People are being given rations to keep them away from highly-addictive goods like chocolate and coffee. Now, people are basically being told what food to eat and there have even been talks of banning certain foods.
i)Propaganda: In 1984, all the government is doing is creating propaganda. Now, lazy parents are asking the government to do the parent's job by limiting junk-food ads, family check-outs, and stopping producing video games.
a) In 1984, "Newspeak" is the official language of Oceania. Nowadays, most of our language has to be politically correct or you would be basically labeled a 'racist' or be called someone who sticks their nose in the air at people lower-class than you.
b) In 1984, we have the Junior Anti-Sex League. Nowadays, we have many Abstinence Clubs and hoards of Evangelical Christians attempting to force Anti-Sex Lives on almost every person they happen upon.
c) In 1984, Telescreens are operated in all places, including private residences. Now, there are surveillance cameras on almost every street corner and in some private apartment buildings at the main entrances.
d)Many helicopters watch over the cities and towns to keep people abiding by the laws, enunciating the fact that "Big Brother is Always Watching You". Now, RCMP and Police Officers watch by the sides of the roads to enforce speeding, Drinking & Driving, and even not wearing a bicycle helmet.
e)The Lotteries have very little numbers of winners, and held only to generate taxes for the country. Now, there are very little number of people who win big at the lottery, while the government is generating millions in tax.
f)In 1984, they have the "Ministry of Peace" which actually is adept at warfare. Now, the US has the Department of Defence, who pretend to be doing better but actually creating more war.
g)1984: History from books and newspapers are continually being re-written to conform with "Newspeak". Nowadays, there is some evidence of history being taken out from books, such as Huck Finn.
h)People are being given rations to keep them away from highly-addictive goods like chocolate and coffee. Now, people are basically being told what food to eat and there have even been talks of banning certain foods.
i)Propaganda: In 1984, all the government is doing is creating propaganda. Now, lazy parents are asking the government to do the parent's job by limiting junk-food ads, family check-outs, and stopping producing video games.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Winston And His Loathing
Reading about the budding relationship between Winston and the young, dark-haired fanatical member of the Party is confusing, as how can someone one moment hate another person, and the next moment be enveloping one another in a sexual relationship? Thus, this predicament is the main plot in countless novels and films.
The way they meet in secret is reminiscient of aged novels such as Romeo and Juliet, and newer novels such as Gossip Girl and It Girl. Though the latter is not quite as immortalized, they share the same storyline and generally similar thoughts and feelings.
Though feeling themselves safe, they really are the opposite. One reading the novel may think: Why would Winston implicate himself and put himself in the line of danger just to start a physical relationship with a woman that he is not even sure he really loves? Of course, the most obvious reason is just that: A physical relationship. However, earlier in the novel, Winston alludes to the fact that he is just not interested in pursuing relationships like that, not only for his own sake but for the danger of being caught, because one major thing the party believes in is that sex leads to romance and feelings and sentiments, and when people feel sentiment it takes them away from their responsibility to the party, as their mind is on something else. This makes a reader wonder: How is the world populated if sex is not encouraged? Obviously, people that knew the world when it was still using Oldspeak know the truth and that it is not harmful, but the young people who pledge their allegiance to the party will never pro-create, thus leading to the demise of the world.
The way they meet in secret is reminiscient of aged novels such as Romeo and Juliet, and newer novels such as Gossip Girl and It Girl. Though the latter is not quite as immortalized, they share the same storyline and generally similar thoughts and feelings.
Though feeling themselves safe, they really are the opposite. One reading the novel may think: Why would Winston implicate himself and put himself in the line of danger just to start a physical relationship with a woman that he is not even sure he really loves? Of course, the most obvious reason is just that: A physical relationship. However, earlier in the novel, Winston alludes to the fact that he is just not interested in pursuing relationships like that, not only for his own sake but for the danger of being caught, because one major thing the party believes in is that sex leads to romance and feelings and sentiments, and when people feel sentiment it takes them away from their responsibility to the party, as their mind is on something else. This makes a reader wonder: How is the world populated if sex is not encouraged? Obviously, people that knew the world when it was still using Oldspeak know the truth and that it is not harmful, but the young people who pledge their allegiance to the party will never pro-create, thus leading to the demise of the world.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
1984-Part 1
Through reading the 1st part of George Orwell's '1984', I am reminded of the many films and novels that are based upon this idea. One in particular that I remember is the 2006 film called "Idiocracy". In "Idiocracy" a young man is frozen by the government and wakes up in the year 2505. Upon waking, he finds that what was smart is now dumb, and the president would barely be recognized as a citizen if he walked the streets today. Costcos and Policeman have taken over the world, and every human being is implanted with a barcode on their wrist that records their personal information and whereabouts.
The idea that Orwell is attempting to get across is about the government and privacy, and how nothing is sacred anymore. In '1984' the government controls the thoughts and actions of everyone on the planet. One man, named Winston Smith, secretly has a diary which he only takes out to write in secret, where he cannot be seen within the telescreen in his apartment, which makes hisself visible to the government.
The idea that Orwell is attempting to get across is about the government and privacy, and how nothing is sacred anymore. In '1984' the government controls the thoughts and actions of everyone on the planet. One man, named Winston Smith, secretly has a diary which he only takes out to write in secret, where he cannot be seen within the telescreen in his apartment, which makes hisself visible to the government.
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