The first section of the novel 1984 by George Orwell largely consists of the main character, Winston’s, attempt to learn more about the history of the world he is living in. Since his country, Airstrip One, is very strict about the ability to obtain knowledge, specifically regarding other countries, few citizens know about other ways of living. The country of Airstrip One isn’t that old, therefore Winston is specifically curious about the revolution that caused the former United Kingdom to become Airstrip One. Clearly, this part of their history is also not public knowledge, as it might inspire dissent. Though it is obviously not encouraged, Winston still goes searching for more information about the history of Airstrip One. This is a very dangerous pursuit, and as Winston often mentions, would be punishable by death if the wrong people found out. Therefore, I wonder if Winston is doing the right thing by researching the history of Airstrip One.
I can definitely understand where Winston is coming from in researching the history of Airstrip One, as he lives in an oppressive regime where he basically has no free will and lives in constant fear. The desire to learn about alternative ways of living in other countries is only natural. It also makes sense that he wants to learn about how the country became the way it is and what made the style of government shift so much. The search of this knowledge gives Winston a purpose in his otherwise dull life. In addition to being a form of entertainment, it presents a risk, which is thrilling when compared to his otherwise tame life. In this way, the search for information is a way for Winston to have hope that things can get better and that he doesn’t have to live in this regime forever.
On the other hand, what Winston is doing is extremely dangerous and he isn’t really taking the proper precautions to ensure that he is not discovered. As he often states, citizens who show disloyalty to the government usually vanish. By this it is implied that they are executed and all records of their existence wiped. Seeing as this is a pretty terrifying fate, one would think that Winston would do just about anything to make sure that he is not executed as well. Seeing as he is quite reckless in his research, by talking to random proles in bars and visiting antique stores in strange neighborhoods, it seems that he doesn’t really care that much about being taken by the government. It almost seems like he wants them to take him, in order to provide some sort of change in his life.
With regards to if Winston is doing to right thing by researching Airstrip One, I believe he isn’t. I think that if he wanted to learn more about the history of the country and change up his daily life under the oppressive regime, he should join the rebels, called the Brotherhood. At least then he would be rebelling with a cause, and would have a chance to actually change something about the country. By recklessly researching the history, all he does is put his own life at risk. If he vanishes, no one would benefit from his work as he was just rebelling alone. Working with the Brotherhood would give him some of the answers he was looking for and give him the opportunity to do something beneficial for the people of Airstrip One.
-Catalin
I don't think he's doing his research in the safest way possible but I do believe it's good that he's trying to find out more. He wouldn't be able to really help anyone or change society in anyway, but in doing his research I feel he is more motivated to do something with his life to change things. I think his research and his need to know about the past/how he thinks the past is important is what motivates him to join the Brotherhood. If he didn't want to do his research or be reckless, I doubt he would be as willing to work with the Brotherhood.
ReplyDeleteIt interesting to read your post after today's reading since you correctly inferred that Winston will be discovered and that he will be involved with the Brotherhood. I agree with Hadiyah in that I think he was doing the right thing (though carelessly) by researching himself, that way he is not blinding following the Brotherhood, and I also think it helps us as readers to understand more about what happened.
ReplyDeleteI also find it strange that Winston is not at all careful with his rebellious endeavors. Considering that the society is under such high surveillance, and the consequences of getting caught are fatal, I'm not sure why Winston is being so reckless. It doesn't seem like he doesn't care about getting caught at all, however, because he does definitely show some fear and at least attempts to keep his actions somewhat undercover. It could be a result of overall apathy, or maybe being so fed up with his life that he doesn't have the will to try.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Winston doesn't really care about his life (before he meets Julia). With the diary, he seems to be waiting for the thought police to come and find him. He doesn't take many precautions until he actually finds something to care about. As for whether it's "right" for Winston to want to find information about the history of Oceania, I think it's fine. It's especially natural because it's his job to erase history, and he probably wants to know what others before him have erased.
DeleteI think maybe the reason that Winston is so careless with his actions is that he's convinced that he will be caught and vaporized. He basically knows for certain that this will be the case (and it's looking like he's correct), and so he has no reason to attempt to hide his efforts against the Oceanian state. Instead, I think he's just trying to live as normal a life as he can in the (very little) time he knows that he has.
ReplyDelete-Sasha
though it is good that he was doing his own research to find out more about the society, it did seem like Winston was kind of careless about his actions. he was not very discreet which was worrisome considering the high surveillance, although, like others have mentioned, this could be because he knew he was going to get caught?
ReplyDeleteI agree that Winston is being pretty careless, but I think he sort of knows that. Part of Winston always knew he was doomed. Multiple times throughout the book, he's thinking about how inevitable it is that his illicit thoughts will get found out. If you're living a life that you know will be cut short eventually, why not take risks? What's the point of trying not to draw attention to yourself if ultimately there's no point?
ReplyDeleteThat raises the question of why he even bothers to take precautions in the first place. I think for two reasons: 1) Winston's a coward who's very afraid of pain, and 2) Winston wants to satisfy his curiosity before he's found out.
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ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think it is fascinating watching Winston's journey as he endeavors to learn more about Oceania. I agree that part of it is to help alleviate the boredom that permeates the life of an Outer Party member. Winston seems to be drunk on risk-taking when he does this - as you mentioned, he is largely disregarding a significant risk to his life.
ReplyDeleteI also must place my most profound agreement within Kevin Grosman's brilliant analysis.
Great blog. I agree with the idea that some of Winston's actions are unexplainable, particularly as it relates to the party fabricating and altering history. It is not entirely clear whether he realizes that his existence is likely to be the next to go. I am also in complete accordance with Nishant Sheikh's comment.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you that Winston is pretty reckless in his quest to learn about the history of his country. Like you said, I do understand why he's doing it - knowing consciously that all the information he's been fed is false drives him crazy, and it seems like he's searching for some kind of sanity amongst it all. However, I'm not sure at that any point (before O'brien approaches Winston at least) Winston is capable o fjust joining the Brotherhood. He has no idea whether or not it exists and therefore has no way of joining the resistance.
ReplyDeleteI think it's challenging to join the Brotherhood, and I feel like Winston would if he were given the chance. Based on Winston's dull life, I think that he is sort of making a conscious choice to find excitement and satisfy his curiosity by taking dissentful actions in exchange for the knowledge that he's going to be caught. I sort of think he's fine with being caught since his life isn't very much worth living, and I sort of agree with him.
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