1984 Section 2 Reading

I think that a major contributor to how he feels about the state of Oceania is greatly affected by Julia. His relationship with her is very powerful in a world where strong emotions are taboo, which makes him feel like there must be more out there, somewhere, or more accurately, that there was something better before, in the past. He wishes for what it used to be, however, there is still a part of him that is affected by the doctrine of the Party, and therefore he expresses himself through small acts of disobedience to the government. His small acts of defiance (the diary, his relationship with Julia, etc) are his way of defying the Party, just as Julia's sleeping around are. I do feel, though, that Winston's defiance is more deep than Julia's, and that his is more like what we wish to see. Julia grew up in the doctrine of the Party; to her, it's unbreakable. Winston, however, grew up in a time before then, and can therefore remember bits and pieces of what used to be.

By trying to compare Winston's rebellion with a rebellion of today, such as anti-war demonstrations and the Tea Party, you are comparing little things, like writing in a diary, with that of marches in the capital with signs and speeches. That said, the signs and speeches are merely a thing to try to convince others, to show your support to a cause you feel is just. With Winston, the poor man can't manage that. He has to make do with what he can; writing in a diary, keeping a scrap of paper for a second longer than he should have, or having relations with another Party member. However, when you get right down to it, both Winston and the anti-war movements are protesting for the same reason: for what they believe is right. And in both cases, as well as other examples that were given, they are protesting the government for one reason or another. The governments of today may see the movements differently, depending on the group. I feel like the government would look at some of the movements of today as though they were annoying little flies bearing banners with their message and parading around their work area. The government of 1984, however, sees defiance as the horrible, unthinkable. Actually, there may possibly be a Newspeak word for that. What, with the very idea of thoughtcrime, people are made so that to even think about something other than what the government wants is to be a criminal. The government of today may listen to what you have to say, if it is worth hearing; the government of 1984 would just erase you without a further thought. As for the masses, it really just depends on whether they agree with you or not, at least in the case of our society. If they do, you are a hero; if not, a loony or an idiot, depending on what you are protesting. However, in 1984, those who protest are to be feared and hated by all, no matter what. This, more or less, seems to be obeyed by the general public.