The Heart of the Crystal: The Heart of the Crystal: Looking Back at Looking Back at 19841984

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Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

26 February 201426 February 2014

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

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

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

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 and erasure. retaliatory execution and erasure.

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?

How can he hope to understand love when How can he hope to understand love when everything we know about relationships and everything we know about relationships and family structures has been twisted and corrupted family structures has been twisted and corrupted beyond recognition? beyond recognition?

How can he find enlightenment when How can he find enlightenment when everything and everyone that governs his everything and everyone that governs his existence seeks to further enslave him in existence seeks to further enslave him in ignorance and separate him from his history? ignorance and separate him from his history?

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

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

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

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

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

Next, they remove his Next, they remove his securitysecurity (through (through physical torture). physical torture).

They then begin destroying his They then begin destroying his knowledge knowledge and understandingand understanding (torturing him into believing (torturing him into believing he’s insane, entering the second stage of re-he’s insane, entering the second stage of re-integration). integration).

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

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

It’s worth noting that as long as Winston It’s worth noting that as long as Winston can cling to one of the Star Points, he cannot be can cling to one of the Star Points, he cannot be beaten.beaten.

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

I’ve described Orwell’s study of I’ve described Orwell’s study of humanity humanity in terms of the Star Points, and I want you to in terms of the Star Points, and I want you to notice the contrast the author consciously notice the contrast the author consciously draws between his “sides” (the human and draws between his “sides” (the human and inhuman).inhuman).

The Party is, by its goals and by its very The Party is, by its goals and by its very nature, inhuman. nature, inhuman.

You can’t really imagine other human You can’t really imagine other human beings doing this to one another – doing these beings doing this to one another – doing these things to people they know, to people with things to people they know, to people with whom they have relationships – and yet Orwell whom they have relationships – and yet Orwell does just that. does just that.

The dehumanized Inner Party is The dehumanized Inner Party is particularly eerie because O’Brien serves as its particularly eerie because O’Brien serves as its avatar, putting a “refined” face on ruthlessness avatar, putting a “refined” face on ruthlessness and greed. and greed.

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

If you’ve read If you’ve read The Inferno,The Inferno, you you remember Dante’s punishment for the remember Dante’s punishment for the Gluttons: that they’re doomed to rot in piles Gluttons: that they’re doomed to rot in piles of trash and filth, freezing and distorted and of trash and filth, freezing and distorted and torn apart until they no longer resemble their torn apart until they no longer resemble their human selves.human selves.

With that image in mind, Oceania’s With that image in mind, Oceania’s environment makes more sense.environment makes more sense.

The Party represents what we’re willing The Party represents what we’re willing to do in the pursuit of to do in the pursuit of moremore – how quickly – how quickly we’ll sacrifice basic human qualities in order we’ll sacrifice basic human qualities in order to justify a desirable end, or what terrible 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 In other words, they are what we become when we throw away the Star, when become when we throw away the Star, when we dedicate all of our energy to the amassing we dedicate all of our energy to the amassing of power for power’s sake.of power for power’s sake.

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

We’re told that the proles are We’re told that the proles are mindless and disgusting, mindless and disgusting, contentedly grinding their way contentedly grinding their way through each day without through each day without questioning why their lives take questioning why their lives take the shapes they do. the shapes they do.

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

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

You’ve already noticed that Orwell You’ve already noticed that Orwell always foreshadows developments. always foreshadows developments.

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

Nothing in this book is accidental… Nothing in this book is accidental…

What are the proles obsessed What are the proles obsessed with? with?

A lottery – a probability game.A lottery – a probability game.

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

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

Their reasoning is exquisitely Their reasoning is exquisitely “doublethinkful”: Party orthodoxy holds “doublethinkful”: Party orthodoxy holds that the proles aren’t dangerous because that the proles aren’t dangerous because they lack the intellectual capacity for they lack the intellectual capacity for danger, but they also stay largely out of danger, but they also stay largely out of the proles’ lives to keep from spurring the proles’ lives to keep from spurring them into action. them into action.

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

The Party’s inability to crush the The Party’s inability to crush the proles entirely leads them to hold the proles entirely leads them to hold the massive group at arm’s length. massive group at arm’s length.

The problem with that approach is The problem with that approach is that the Party’s power lies in its that the Party’s power lies in its proximity; for Winston and others, the proximity; for Winston and others, the appearance that the Party seems to be appearance that the Party seems to be everywhere keeps them in line. everywhere keeps them in line.

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

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

True, dangerous individuals are True, dangerous individuals are hunted down and killed – but look at hunted down and killed – but look at how far how far WinstonWinston – the character – the character Orwell took such pains to cast in a Orwell took such pains to cast in a negative light from the start – got on negative light from the start – got on his own! his own!

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

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

Around this time a few years back, I had a Around this time a few years back, I had a conversation with a student named Kat Thompson conversation with a student named Kat Thompson regarding the concept of narrative-as-magic-trick.regarding the concept of narrative-as-magic-trick.

If you’ve watched If you’ve watched The Prestige,The Prestige, you know that you know that there are three elements to any good magic trick.there are three elements to any good magic trick.

““The first part is called the Pledge. The The first part is called the Pledge. The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But, of course, it probably real, unaltered, normal. But, of course, it probably isn’t. isn’t.

The second act is called the Turn. The magician The second act is called the Turn. The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret...but you won’t find it, because of course secret...but you won’t find it, because of course you’re not really looking. You don’t really want to you’re not really looking. You don’t really want to know. know. You You wantwant to be fooled. to be fooled.

But you wouldn’t clap yet. Because making But you wouldn’t clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That’s why every magic trick has a third act, it back. That’s why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call the Prestige.”the hardest part, the part we call the Prestige.”

It’s easy to see how Winston’s journey It’s easy to see how Winston’s journey could satisfy the criteria I just listed.could satisfy the criteria I just listed.

He’s ordinary, plain, mildly repellant – a He’s ordinary, plain, mildly repellant – a walking Pledge.walking Pledge.

When this ordinary man dares to be When this ordinary man dares to be different, dares to live – when our Prufrock different, dares to live – when our Prufrock rises up and disturbs his universe – we’re rises up and disturbs his universe – we’re astonished. astonished.

If Part One is about allowing you to If Part One is about allowing you to examine the ordinary object, Part Two is about examine the ordinary object, Part Two is about doing something spectacular with the object.doing something spectacular with the object.

But, of course, all things must return, and But, of course, all things must return, and Part Three’s deliberate unraveling of Part Three’s deliberate unraveling of everything Winston accomplished is the literary everything Winston accomplished is the literary equivalent of putting the woman who’s been equivalent of putting the woman who’s been sawed in two back together.sawed in two back together.

Or is it?Or is it?

I would submit instead that Orwell is doing I would submit instead that Orwell is doing something particularly devious with his narrative, something particularly devious with his narrative, with his magic trick: I would submit that he’s with his magic trick: I would submit that he’s intentionally misdirecting your attention.intentionally misdirecting your attention.

This has very little to do with the This has very little to do with the doublethinky mindset that we adopt as we read: we doublethinky mindset that we adopt as we read: we understand that the Party is uncrushable, we read understand that the Party is uncrushable, we read Winston say as much over and over again, yet we Winston say as much over and over again, yet we simultaneously expect the impossible – this little simultaneously expect the impossible – this little man to overthrow the Party.man to overthrow the Party.

When the story ends, we assume the story When the story ends, we assume the story ends.ends.

But did the story begin where we began?But did the story begin where we began?Why, then, would it end where we end?Why, then, would it end where we end?By adopting the narrative perspective that he By adopting the narrative perspective that he

does – the perspective of an does – the perspective of an Outer Party memberOuter Party member – – Orwell leads us into adopting the same trapped Orwell leads us into adopting the same trapped mindset as the rest of the Party, even though we mindset as the rest of the Party, even though we know that the Party can’t be trusted.know that the Party can’t be trusted.

That is to say, he encourages us to dismiss That is to say, he encourages us to dismiss the proles – the true Pledge.the proles – the true Pledge.

At its core, At its core, 19841984 isn’t just a five- isn’t just a five-alarm siren raging against the spread of a alarm siren raging against the spread of a particularly toxic brand of totalitarian particularly toxic brand of totalitarian Communism.Communism.

It’s not even simply a warning about It’s not even simply a warning about what what couldcould happen if we allow it to, let happen if we allow it to, let alone a stab at an accurate prediction of alone a stab at an accurate prediction of the future.the future.

Orwell’s book is chiefly about what Orwell’s book is chiefly about what happens to us when we abandon the happens to us when we abandon the author’s idea of connection, of author’s idea of connection, of cooperation, of unified efforts to build a cooperation, of unified efforts to build a better world.better world.

It is a warning not simply against It is a warning not simply against Communism, but against isolationCommunism, but against isolation..

Winston is at his weakest in Room 101 because he Winston is at his weakest in Room 101 because he is fundamentally alone.is fundamentally alone.

But the Party is isolating itself just as thoroughly, But the Party is isolating itself just as thoroughly, trying to make itself disappear completely from the trying to make itself disappear completely from the consciousness of the proles.consciousness of the proles.

By aggressively making itself stupid, rigid, By aggressively making itself stupid, rigid, perfectly orthodox, incapable of perceiving an perfectly orthodox, incapable of perceiving an unanticipated thought, the Party is likely dooming itself.unanticipated thought, the Party is likely dooming itself.

Because while it will come to operate on Because while it will come to operate on Duckspeak, the proles still, and always will, use Duckspeak, the proles still, and always will, use Oldspeak.Oldspeak.

They may be asleep, but they aren’t dead.They may be asleep, but they aren’t dead.The Party The Party isis death – and seems dead-set on death – and seems dead-set on

driving itself into a position of complete vulnerability driving itself into a position of complete vulnerability with respect to the threat at its doorstep.with respect to the threat at its doorstep.

And the point of the story, at least while we’re And the point of the story, at least while we’re reading it, isn’t for Winston to succeed: reading it, isn’t for Winston to succeed: it’s for the Party it’s for the Party to fallto fall..

That’s why I can see the ending as simultaneously That’s why I can see the ending as simultaneously brutal (for Winston) and open (for the proles). brutal (for Winston) and open (for the proles).

Your mileage may vary.Your mileage may vary.

As for the theme of As for the theme of oppression, oppression, it’s it’s not hard to find it here. not hard to find it here.

If you’re looking for specific If you’re looking for specific examples, look at the ways in which examples, look at the ways in which the Party controls its citizens from the Party controls its citizens from waking (the Physical Jerks) to sleeping waking (the Physical Jerks) to sleeping (the telescreens watching them as they (the telescreens watching them as they sleep). sleep).

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

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

19841984 is built on is built on lossloss – the loss of – the loss of our humanity, our heritage, and our our humanity, our heritage, and our thoughts. thoughts.

Winston loses everything in the Winston loses everything in the end because he allows himself to be end because he allows himself to be isolated, to be severed from isolated, to be severed from humankind (something he resists humankind (something he resists instinctively, just like Bumstead; this is instinctively, just like Bumstead; this is why he comes to feel affection for his why he comes to feel affection for his torturer).torturer).

Once that happens, he loses Once that happens, he loses himself.himself.

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

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

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

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

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

Before he reaches the very end, Winston Before he reaches the very end, Winston loses his paperweight (an important symbol in the loses his paperweight (an important symbol in the book, and a charmed object for him), the most book, and a charmed object for him), the most concrete link to the past in a book filled with them. concrete link to the past in a book filled with them.

Winston dreams of the past, but such dreams Winston dreams of the past, but such dreams are transitory, and disappear upon waking. are 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 His job deals with loss, and as long as

Winston’s doing his job well, no one will even know Winston’s doing his job well, no one will even know he’s doing it. he’s doing it.

In other words, Winston’s job is about losing In other words, Winston’s job is about losing truth so effectively that no trace of himself exists truth so effectively that no trace of himself exists to be remembered. to be remembered.

Everything done in Oceania is Everything done in Oceania is done out of done out of fear.fear.

People compromise themselves People compromise themselves out of fear, or play on fears in order out of fear, or play on fears in order to elevate themselves.to elevate themselves.

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

It is the fear of the Unknown Other that It is the fear of the Unknown Other that sustains Oceania’s drive toward war – and the fact sustains Oceania’s drive toward war – and the fact that the fear is completely misplaced, that that the fear is completely misplaced, that Oceania’s enemies are identical to itself, only Oceania’s enemies are identical to itself, only makes it more effective. makes it more effective.

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

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

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

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

MemoryMemory is both useless and is both useless and extremely dangerous. extremely dangerous.

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

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

Moreover, memories are unreliable. Moreover, memories are unreliable.

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

Winston’s own memories of the past Winston’s own memories of the past come and go. come and go.

He begins to doubt his own memories He begins to doubt his own memories once he’s forced to do so. once he’s forced to do so.

What’s the point of remembering What’s the point of remembering something when it can’t do you any good? something when it can’t do you any good?

However, memory represents the Party’s However, memory represents the Party’s Achilles’ heel. Achilles’ heel.

You can convince people they’re insane You can convince people they’re insane once they’re in your clutches, but what once they’re in your clutches, but what happens if some of your targets evade you happens if some of your targets evade you for a while? for a while?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freedom,Freedom, on the other hand, doesn’t on the other hand, doesn’t exist, even for the Inner Party. exist, even for the Inner Party.

While the Party gains total control While the Party gains total control over virtually anything it wants, it also over virtually anything it wants, it also controls itself. controls itself.

It may give itself access to It may give itself access to “luxuries,” and its members may be able “luxuries,” and its members may be able to shut off their telescreens – but it to shut off their telescreens – but it imprisons its most powerful members in imprisons its most powerful members in the vise of doublethink most strongly.the vise of doublethink most strongly.

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

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

Finally, the party Finally, the party corruptscorrupts everything everything – the family instinct, the sex instinct, the – the family instinct, the sex instinct, the urge to belong, compassion for others – urge to belong, compassion for others – that makes a person a person. that makes a person a person.

Look at Winston when we first meet Look at Winston when we first meet him. him.

He has no idea where his wife is, or He has no idea where his wife is, or what happened to her – nor does he care. what happened to her – nor does he care. (Kierkegaard’s quote screams in our ears (Kierkegaard’s quote screams in our ears here.)here.)

This is a chilling image of what the This is a chilling image of what the Party can do to the idea of family, Party can do to the idea of family, underscored by the Parsons’ children underscored by the Parsons’ children running roughshod in Chapter II.running roughshod in Chapter II.

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

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

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

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

Winston is mildly intelligent, Winston is mildly intelligent, although certainly not a genius. although certainly not a genius.

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

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

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

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 There’s no reason to believe that this ordinary man can defeat an unbeatable system. ordinary 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, What we see with Winston is what we get, and there’s something comforting about that in a and 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 begins the book as Winston’s begins the book as Winston’s imagined enemy; he views her with a imagined enemy; he views her with a combination of lust and disgust during the combination of lust and disgust during the initial “Hate” scene.initial “Hate” scene.

(Winston’s true enemy also makes an (Winston’s true enemy also makes an appearance in this scene, but we’ll get to appearance in this scene, but we’ll get to him later.) 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 She’s overjoyed to make contact with someone else who loathes the Party, and someone else who loathes the Party, and her unusually quick wits allow her to see her unusually quick wits allow her to see through Party doctrines that even Winston through Party doctrines that even Winston swallows unthinkingly.swallows unthinkingly.

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

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

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

As the only major female character in the As the only major female character in the novel, Julia’s painted pretty shallowly, which is novel, Julia’s painted pretty shallowly, which is a shame.a 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)…or he just conversations seem fairly normal)…or he just couldn’t write believable female dialogue (a couldn’t write believable female dialogue (a sadly common problem for male authors).sadly common problem for male authors).

Limitations aside, Julia gives the Limitations aside, Julia gives the novel its narrative kick. novel its narrative kick.

Her partnership with Winston Her partnership with Winston drives the middle section of the drives the middle section of the book, and their separation sets the book, and their separation sets the stage for the conclusion. stage for the conclusion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ParsonsParsons is another type of villain is another type of villain altogether. altogether.

He’s not malevolent, but he’s He’s not malevolent, but he’s definitely dangerous. definitely dangerous.

While O’Brien is dangerous because While O’Brien is dangerous because his insanity turns his brilliant mind his insanity turns his brilliant mind toward evil ends, Parsons is dangerous toward evil ends, Parsons is dangerous because men like O’Brien are powerless 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 Parsons blends mindless, blind loyalty with tireless enthusiasm in order loyalty with tireless enthusiasm in order to support the Party, and the Party taps to support the Party, and the Party taps this “stupid nationalism” whenever they this “stupid nationalism” whenever they need to shore up their power. need to shore up their power.

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

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

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

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

Parsons’s patriotism is as relentless and Parsons’s patriotism is as relentless and mechanical as the actions of any Inner Party mechanical as the actions of any Inner Party member, and that’s why he, and those like him, member, and that’s why he, and those like him, are so dangerous – more dangerous, I would are so dangerous – more dangerous, I would submit, than the Inner Party itself. submit, than the Inner Party itself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 that they “got him a long time ago,” implying that he did not always occupy his privileged he did not always occupy his privileged position) or destroys them. position) or destroys them.

Syme is destroyed.Syme is destroyed. But it’s important to note that it’s not But it’s important to note that it’s not

Syme's knowledge that makes him Syme's knowledge that makes him dangerous. dangerous.

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

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

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

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

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

AmpleforthAmpleforth is a poet who works is a poet who works for the Ministry of Truth. for the Ministry of Truth. We We see him a couple of times – he’s see him a couple of times – he’s mentioned when we first see mentioned when we first see Winston at work, interferes with Winston at work, interferes with Winston’s initial attempts to meet Winston’s initial attempts to meet Julia, and thrown into prison at the Julia, and thrown into prison at the outset of Part Three. outset of Part Three.

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

Ampleforth matters because his crime Ampleforth matters because his crime matters.matters.

The nature of his crime is two-fold. The nature of his crime is two-fold. Orwell is obsessed with language and the Orwell is obsessed with language and the

ways in which it controls our ability to think – just ways in which it controls our ability to think – just look at Newspeak! look at Newspeak!

His other writings also grapple with the idea His other writings also grapple with the idea of words giving and limiting power – well-chosen of 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.

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 author, preserve Kipling’s rhyme – something the author, an obsessive lover of language himself, an obsessive lover of language himself, doubtlessly would have done. doubtlessly would have done.

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

Secondly, look at the word he Secondly, look at the word he left in – “God.” left in – “God.”

While the Party itself is clearly While the Party itself is clearly atheist, it’s not exactly secular – the atheist, it’s not exactly secular – the devotion they demand to Big Brother devotion they demand to Big Brother goes beyond “cult” levels and goes beyond “cult” levels and becomes a type of worship. becomes a type of worship.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We should be suspicious when he We should be suspicious when he refuses to engage in thoughtcrime himself refuses to engage in thoughtcrime himself (refusing to finish the song), but we, like (refusing to finish the song), but we, like Winston, are too caught up in everything else 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 In fact, we’re just as willfully blind about Charrington as Winston is for the exact same Charrington as Winston is for the exact same reasons; we reasons; we wantwant to believe he’s everything to believe he’s everything he seems because we he seems because we wantwant to have a source to have a source of hope in a narrative that, at the point of of hope in a narrative that, at the point of Charrington’s introduction, has been Charrington’s introduction, has been incredibly bleak. incredibly bleak.

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

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

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

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

Finally, the Skull-Faced ManFinally, the Skull-Faced Man and the and the Fat ManFat Man (identified later as (identified later as Bumstead) represent dueling 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, Are we fundamentally, foolishly, irredeemably good – compassionate irredeemably good – compassionate to a fault, even at the end of all of to a fault, even at the end of all of our selfishness and deception? our selfishness and deception?

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

The Skull-Faced Man represents The Skull-Faced Man represents our survival instinct. our survival instinct.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But the mark of principle is not But the mark of principle is not whether it appears for free in times whether it appears for free in times of goodness, but when the cost is of goodness, but when the cost is high, in times of darkness…even in high, in times of darkness…even in the place where there is none.the place where there is none.