Discussion Director, Chapter 7

Discussion Director

#1. Do you think that the proles would be willing to rebel against the Party? Or do you think that the extent of the Party's brainwashing and desensitization is so severe that they are actually content living their lives under the impression that they are not being oppressed, when it actuality they are?

#2. What action would you take if you were in Winston's situation? Planning a full-scale rebellion, especially when you work for the Party, most likely would cause the government to find you out and ultimately lead to your death. However, can you really just stand idley by as Oceanian citizens continue to stay oppressed?

#3. "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows." What do you think Winston means by this?

#4. What role, if any, do you think the Brotherhood will play in the remainder of the novel? Do you think Winston will seek out the Brotherhood in hopes for help against the Party?

Illustrator, Chapter 7

Illustrator

"In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it."



I chose this quote because it represents the struggle Winston feels with the Party. The absolute helplessness of knowing that the government is oppressing him, but being the only one who sees it. Earlier in chapter 7 he explains that the only hope for taking down the party lies in the proles, being over 85% of the total population of Oceania. The problem is, most of the proles are too brainwashed and apathetic to even know that they are being oppressed.

Literary Luminary Chapter 7

Literary Luminary:
1/31/11
Orwell begins chapter 7 with the passage : "If there is hope [wrote Winston] it lies in the Proles." (pg 60) He then continues to say that the Proles make up the vast majority of Oceania's population, and if anyone were to successfully overthrow the oppressive government, it would be them. This is an example of foreshadowing. I think that soon, Winston is going to start discussing rebellion with the Proles and spreading the idea around He will use his job as an advantage. He already wants to rebel, and the Proles are the only chance for his success.

"But when Winston glanced again at Rutherford's ruinous face, he saw that his eyes were full with tears." (pg 66) Winston uses a metaphor to describe a man's beaten and bruised face. It shows how these former leaders know what's going on, and as a result, were beaten senseless so they don't talk. I think Winston may go to them for help in rebelling.