Nineteen Eighty-Four w/Views, Values & More

Resource Description

1984 NOTES

Most Likely Created During the Old Syllabus but Still Applicable

Devoid of all humanity
Dystopian
Draconian
A world where there “was no colour through anything” and “looks cold”
Strictly Controlled Society
Monotonous and Lifeless Existence
Powerful and unscrupulous ruling Elite

STRENGTH OF BIG BROTHER

• “Seeks power entirely for its own sake, controlling the past in order to control the present”
• The search for freedom, privacy and the objective past (marks out Winston’s own path to death), in a society where its government prevents the existence of such ideas in order to maintain their power is ultimately futile and definitely suicidal.
• Winston Smith’s ultimate destruction results from the strength of the evil Party, his search for freedom, as well as his own weaknesses. 
• Winston’s vulnerability provides the party with the opportunity to exploit his flaws. Nevertheless, without the power of the Party, Winston would not have been destroyed.
• Indeed, the ruthless, yet efficient, manner in which the Party maintains its power, contributes significantly to transforming Winston into a true “comrade” devoid of human emotions. (e.g. The complexity of the Party’s plan to incriminate Winston is terrifying the fact that they allowed Winston to read Goldstein’s book and, despite having this knowledge, are still able to so comprehensively convert his mind emphasises the Party’s complete and utter power and ability to destroy a person’s soul)
• Maintaining a constant surveillance (ultimately, relied on) over the members of the Party not only allows the Thought Police to discover “thought-criminals” but also to learn about their deepest fears. Winston’s last step to loving Big Brother is undeniably a result of him being confronted with his darkest fear – rats.
• One integral part of Big Brother’s artillery of weapons which is utilised to maintain absolute power is the Thought Police. As Winston rightly acknowledges, “Only the Though Police mattered”. Their unknown presence throughout Oceania allows them to capture careless rebels like him.
• Mr. Charrington and his antique shop are clear signs of both their deceit and omnipresence. The role of the antique shop is to attract or rather lure those who yearn for the past and hence wish the Party was brought down. However, the strength of the party, however, is not solely based