Final Post

Well I anticipated my previous post to be my final post but after being informed about this post, I come to you today to address  my opinion on the ending and the novel as a whole, rather than the overall meaning of the work which was the topic of my earlier post. The ending of my book remained true to my initial prediction. I attempted to remain optimistic that Winston could somehow overthrow the government, but my realistic inclination held true. Orwell needed to show the demise of Winston's character in order to convey the meaning of the dangers of a totalitarian system. He used a similar tactic in Animal Farm to show the corruption of absolute power.

Also, relating to my first blog post about a stereotypical dystopian beginning, 1984 seems to have come full circle with a stereotypical dystopian ending as well. Not including Handmaid's Tale, with its ending being slightly different, the other dystopian novels I have read held this theme as well. But at the same time I think it's a necessary element to convey the many possibilities. Because of this, my realist side seems to appreciate the ending but at the same time my idealist self craves a dramatic counter rebellion.

Overall, I thought the book was slow and quite predictable. It was inevitable that Winston, and any person with memory of past life, was to be convicted of thoughtcrime as their language was too permitting to even the slightest of rebellion. It was obvious that Julia and Winston would be separated, and that in the end, Winston would crack under physical and mental manipulation. For this, I did not like it very much. Probably the only aspects I liked were the ironic sentiments which provided some humor and the message about the dangers of totalitarian government and its tactics.

After reading this, I feel thankful for the basic rights I take for granted that are guaranteed to me just for being born in this country. It is hard for me to believe that other people around the world can actually be killed for speaking out against their government. Although Winston's story is a fictional one, it resembles earlier totalitarian states of the past and poses as a warning to the future.

It has been a pleasure blogging this past month and I thank those who took the time to read my posts. Until next time...

-KL

Orwell's Message

With the conclusion of the book, I am horrified. The psychological manipulation that was a constant theme throughout the book is illuminated to its fullest within the final portion of the novel. Here, we see the appalling torture methods used by the Ministry of Love, an ironic name in itself. I think the reason why this is so alarming is because Winston is the most rebellious character introduced, even those among him in his cell were convicted of only petty crimes. But he was willing to fight against the Brotherhood. By the end, he submissively accepts the principles set forth by The Party and finds comfort, rather than hatred, in the sight of the face of Big Brother. He believes that "forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark mustache” (245).

Even though it had been clear to the reader through the duration of the novel that the meaning was the dangers of a totalitarian rule, we can also see the possible outcomes if we as a populace remain bystanders.  Through the characters of Julia and Winston, Orwell shows that although they’re rebellious in manner, their actual actions remain submissive and are alike the other bystanders. Their way of fighting Big Brother is doing activities that are prohibited, such as sex and writing, rather than taking the initiative to destroy the government. Even after he contacted the Brotherhood, his actions don't really change. Imagine if our Founding Fathers had never fought against the British tyranny and remained docile. The empire would eventually become more powerful and spread, just like Big Brother does.

1984 shows us the dangers of a totalitarian rule as well as the consequences of remaining pliable. For it only allows the ruling class to prevail and eventually enables people, like Winston, to “win the victory over himself” (245), referring to his past mental hostility towards Big Brother and his transition into submissiveness.

With further investigation on Orwell, I was surprised that to discover that he was actually a socialist. But his views remained slightly ambiguous, due to expressing anarchist sentiments, a contradictory view in itself. Usually, a socialist is for strong government. I think that he is against totalitarian rule like Stalin, but believed in socialism as a feasible method of economics, being most successful without the control of tyrannical rule. This brings up the question: how much say should government have in economics or in people’s lives, if any at all?

The article about his religious and political views can be seen here

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and the warning and consequences of totalitarian rule. But I think I should give dystopian novels a break for awhile, since that I have already read 3 of them this year. Though I have learned many important lessons from this book such as the importance of individualism, nonconformity, and balance of power in government.   

 

AP Quality

It seems as if every book I've read this year for AP English includes some sort of an uncomfortable sex scene. And I'm beginning to make the assumption that that's the standard the College Board uses to determine a book of AP quality. Of course, this is not the case. However, beyond the sexual material, 1984  is certainly worthy of AP as it holds many characteristics that remain a constant theme throughout all of the AP books I have read so far.

First, it conveys a good message which is an important criteria of an AP. Orwell already is a renowned author to me after reading Animal Farm. By reading this new book, he once again conveys a strong message about the importance of holding government accountable, individualism, and the importance of the past.

Additionally, the stylistic techniques he employs are of AP level. On the surface, his simplistic use of syntax and diction may lead one to think that it is not very deep. But with further investigation that an AP student can pick up on, we can see that his simple style has deep meaning. This society described is very bland and individuals have little opportunity to think for themselves or tread on the road less traveled. Therefore, Orwell does a good job imitating his fictional world with his writing style. This a technique that mostly can be distinguished by an AP student. Also, the level of irony and satire he uses also makes it an AP worthy work. Not only the irony itself, but the conclusion he attempts to illuminate through the technique.  It is almost laughable when "it had been announced [by Big Brother] that Oceania was not after all at war with Eurasia. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Eurasia was an ally" (148). And the citizens came to the conclusion that their anti-Eurasian posters displayed during Hate Week  "was sabotage [and] the agents of Goldstein had been at work" (149). This irony shows that absolute ignorance and sheepish manner of those under totalitarian rule. By applying techniques like irony, Orwell creates an AP worthy book.

I could definitely reference this novel on the AP exam. One, it is a dystopian novel which can be used in an essay that references the idea. Also, the book employs irony very effectively and I could reference it. Additionally, I could easily compare it to other dystopian novels that we have read this year, such as Brave New World and Handmaid's Tale, if asked to in an essay. As for the book being taught in the AP curriculum next year, I would not advise it. Although it is of AP quality, I don't think it could fit nicely. Brave New World is a similar book and also more versatile for discussion as it not only covers oppressive governments, but also human connections, and other social issues. Although totalitarian rule is not solely the underlying meaning of 1984, it is not as distinct as Brave New World. 

All in all, I would not be surprised if I saw a question on this book on the exam this spring and I'm ready to possibly reference it in my open response question.

Importance of Participation in Government

It seems as if Winston has acquired a lady friend in which he shares his anti-Big Brother sentiments. Although they share this attitude, their particular approaches to their roles in living a midst this hated government differ. This provides evidence for the two as being foils of each other.

Winston believes in the Brotherhood and that a rebellion could be led against the tyrannical force in hopes of restoring the past life. Julia "had never heard of the Brotherhood...and any kind of organized revolt against the Party, struck her as stupid" (109).

Her rebellious nature but passive actions develop into a central focus of this section, and also illuminates more of the book's whole meaning. Julia just cares about the things that Big Brother suppresses like sex, sugar, and real coffee, but does not care about being totally free. She "knew that it was all rubbish, so why trouble oneself about it" (129) but Winston discovers that this is the type of people that Big Brother "imposed itself most successfully on people incapable of understanding it" (129).

We can see this today that when people don't understand what's being enacted or simply don't care, and nothing changes and certain issues will not be solved.  And this ladies and gentlemen is why he have to take a civics class. We are encouraged to participate to keep government small, a government for the people and by the people. We see that with Julia, even though she has rebellious sentiments, which is predicted that most of populace secretly do, it does not change anything because they are not involved.

Through the character of Julia, we are able to see an aspect of what Orwell attempts to show. That although she rebels in a way "where it touched upon her own life" (109), she still represents a person that does not care about the freedom of the populace as a whole. This reoccurring theme of the dangers of totalitarianism is shown through Julia.

Speaking of themes and symbols, Orwell reveals a significant symbols within this reading.  The glass paper weight serves as a connection to the past. Being a historical revisionist, Winston becomes obsessed with the paperweight because it symbolizes "a little chuck of history that they've forgotten to alter" (129). The repetition of this symbol exposes Winston's desire to rent Mr. Charrington's room for a safe haven for his love affair. Surrounded by old items, the room and the paper weight help him kindle the idea of having relationship in which

"it had been normal to lie in bed like this, in the cool of a summer evening, a man and a woman with no clothes on, making love when they chose, talking of what they chose, not feeling any compulsion to to get up, simply lying there and listening to the peaceful sounds outside." (119)

 The paperweight and the room which kindle these experiences gives Winston a sense of freedom. Whether this freedom will last or not, I think the thought of perpetrating an organized revolt is no probable anymore due to the introduction of Julia.

Winston Becomes More Rebellious

Although this section of reading was slow for me (which might have been a result of attempting to simultaneously watch football) it revealed many stylistic elements applied by Orwell. Most revealing was the ironic statements. It was as if Adam Smith's "invisible hand", the counterpart to Big Brother's economic principles, arose from the page and smacked me.

One clear example was when the telescreen boasted of Big Brother's success in improving the lives of its citizens. At this point, we have come to know that the Party polishes its imperfections in order to provide a popular appearance. Syme confirms this blind opinion by stating,

        "'the Ministry of Plenty's certainly done a good job this year...by the way...I suppose you haven't got any razor blades you can let me have.'
        'Not one,' said Winston . 'I've been using the same blade for six weeks myself.'" (53)

Even though consumers frequently lack necessities such as razor blades and suitable food and housing, people such as Syme believe that they are better off just because Big Brother says so and doesn't base an opinion off actual experiences. Their circumstances do not match with what is claimed by the Party.

I believe this was implemented to be clearly observed by the reader.   This was the second time Syme brought up the topic of razor shortages yet he still believes the effectiveness of Big Brother's policies. This is a common occurrence as well. Through irony, the reader can clearly see that Big Brother is actually quite ineffective as a government and is only in power due to the manipulation of the populace.

Orwell additionally makes use of  symbolism. Winston's cigarette symbolizes Big Brother's failure to provide. Once again, we see that Big Brother is not able to meet the demand of tobacco which forces Winston to desperatley cling to the cigarette he is smoking. But eventually, "the remaining tobacco fell out" (55). This shows that even though Big Brother cannot provide and try as Winston might, Big Brother still seems to impose its will on him and destroys his way of life through the items he enjoys. 

Another aspect in this passage that was significant was the characterization of Winston. With every interaction he experiences with his fellow "comrades", he seems to become more rebellious. He either, identifies the individual as orthodox such as Syme, Parsons, Tillotson. Their idiocy makes the ridiculous nature of Big Brother even more apparent for the reader and Winston. But he seems to identify with O'Brien who resonates an idea of rebellion which he admires. He even thinks that "he was writing the diary for O'Brien" (69). Writing is forbidden, but with his idea that O'Brien is on his side motivates him to continue to write and increase the risk of being killed.

Just as Winston is able to identify who is orthodox, he is able to identify who will eventually be vaporized by the Party. He predicts that "Syme will be vaporized. He is too intelligent." (46). But because he knows this, it is certain to the reader that Winston will be vaporized too for being able to think that in the first place. Although Winston is not a particularly high class citizen, he thinks as if he were a Party member which is a dangerous threat. Winston continues to become more dangerous to the party.

Since he has already broken the law in the form of thoughtcrime, he already feels dead.  As he wrote, "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death." (27) As a dead man, Winston is now willing to take more risks and we see that throughout this section of reading such as his writing.

Due to this danger and risk taking, Winston will only escalate this passion and I predict that sooner or later Winston will be forced to be displaced by fears of Thought Police, possibly forcing him into Eurasia.