George Orwell’s 1984 is a dystopian novel written in 1949 to warn society about the dangers of communism. In a country where the only political mechanism is the Party, run by Big Brother, the population is constantly monitored through the use of telescreens, and all opponents of the Party virtually disappear. Due to his fatalistic nature, the protagonist Winston Smith lives in constant fear of being vaporized by the Party, but this does not stop him from having unorthodox ideas about politics and humanity. Consequently, Winston must suppress his thoughts so the Party does not suspect him of “thoughtcrime.” This book demonstrates key concepts discussed in Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide
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He says sickness “...should have strong symbolic or metaphorical possibilities” (Foster 224). Sickness embodies morals, mentality, society, and politics (Foster 221). Foster also asserts that sickness “...should be mysterious in origin” (223). In 1984, Winston has a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, but Orwell never discloses the cause of the ulcer. The sore constantly nags Winston and even becomes terribly inflamed during his imprisonment at the Ministry of Love (Orwell 271). As a symbol for the mind, Winston’s varicose ulcer represents his fatalism and pessimism for the future. Although Winston sometimes has hope, his optimism is short-lived because he believes the Party will ultimately vaporize him. Orwell’s placing the ulcer on Winston’s ankle symbolizes how Winston inevitably falls whenever he has hope. During his time at the Ministry of Love, O’Brien shows Winston a mirror, revealing how skeletal and disfigured Winston has become due to his imprisonment. O’Brien says to Winston, “You are rotting away… If you are human, that is humanity” (Orwell 272). The physical change that Winston undergoes represents how his mental and emotional strength is worn down, how his feelings of individuality and freedom are destroyed. This also marks the point when Winston completely loses faith in humanity’s power to rise up against the Party. Through the …show more content…
Foster says, “...sex can be pleasure, sacrifice, submission, rebellion, resignation, supplication, domination, enlightenment…” among other things (158). The Party in 1984 suppresses the sex drive in order to keep the loyalties of the people focused on the Party. Despite the organizations and ideology against sex, Winston seeks sex as a means of freedom. When he encounters Julia, Winston “...hate[s] her because she [is] young and pretty and sexless, because he want[s] to go to bed with her and would never do so…” (Orwell 15). Because Winston fears what Julia stands for by wearing a Junior Anti-Sex League sash, he feels hatred toward her. In his journal, Winston also writes about an encounter with a proletariat, or prole, prostitute. Winston’s wife Katherine hates sex, and intercourse with her is horrible, so in an attempt to find pleasurable sex, Winston goes to a prostitute (Orwell 66). His desire for pleasure is never fulfilled until he begins his affair with Julia. After Winston and Julia’s first time sleeping together, Winston thinks, “Their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory. It was a blow struck against the Party. It was a political act” (Orwell 126). This reveals the true intention behind Winston’s sexual acts. For Winston, sex is the ultimate form of rebellion against the Party. Sex is a personal act that creates the bonds that the Party tries to eradicate.
He says sickness “...should have strong symbolic or metaphorical possibilities” (Foster 224). Sickness embodies morals, mentality, society, and politics (Foster 221). Foster also asserts that sickness “...should be mysterious in origin” (223). In 1984, Winston has a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, but Orwell never discloses the cause of the ulcer. The sore constantly nags Winston and even becomes terribly inflamed during his imprisonment at the Ministry of Love (Orwell 271). As a symbol for the mind, Winston’s varicose ulcer represents his fatalism and pessimism for the future. Although Winston sometimes has hope, his optimism is short-lived because he believes the Party will ultimately vaporize him. Orwell’s placing the ulcer on Winston’s ankle symbolizes how Winston inevitably falls whenever he has hope. During his time at the Ministry of Love, O’Brien shows Winston a mirror, revealing how skeletal and disfigured Winston has become due to his imprisonment. O’Brien says to Winston, “You are rotting away… If you are human, that is humanity” (Orwell 272). The physical change that Winston undergoes represents how his mental and emotional strength is worn down, how his feelings of individuality and freedom are destroyed. This also marks the point when Winston completely loses faith in humanity’s power to rise up against the Party. Through the …show more content…
Foster says, “...sex can be pleasure, sacrifice, submission, rebellion, resignation, supplication, domination, enlightenment…” among other things (158). The Party in 1984 suppresses the sex drive in order to keep the loyalties of the people focused on the Party. Despite the organizations and ideology against sex, Winston seeks sex as a means of freedom. When he encounters Julia, Winston “...hate[s] her because she [is] young and pretty and sexless, because he want[s] to go to bed with her and would never do so…” (Orwell 15). Because Winston fears what Julia stands for by wearing a Junior Anti-Sex League sash, he feels hatred toward her. In his journal, Winston also writes about an encounter with a proletariat, or prole, prostitute. Winston’s wife Katherine hates sex, and intercourse with her is horrible, so in an attempt to find pleasurable sex, Winston goes to a prostitute (Orwell 66). His desire for pleasure is never fulfilled until he begins his affair with Julia. After Winston and Julia’s first time sleeping together, Winston thinks, “Their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory. It was a blow struck against the Party. It was a political act” (Orwell 126). This reveals the true intention behind Winston’s sexual acts. For Winston, sex is the ultimate form of rebellion against the Party. Sex is a personal act that creates the bonds that the Party tries to eradicate.