Friday 17 September 2010

In 1984, how does Winston react to the Two-minute Hate?

Living in a
world dominated by war and hate,finds himself immersed in a society in which his individuality
is lost as telescreens are everywhere as "Big Brother watches." Even his expression of
emotion is dictated in his world of eternal warfare.

Winston works in the
Ministry of Truth, where, ironically, he rewrites history. As 's narrative begins, Winston
returns home and begins to write in a secret diary. He recalls the Two Minutes Hate during his
workday:  As usual the face of Emmanuel Goldstein, the enemy of the state, comes upon the screen
and the crowd shouts its hatred at this face. For a time, Winston shouts with them. But, he is
yet capable of individual thought, so he looks around and projects his hatred upon the girl he
has previously noticed. And, then, oddly enough, he finds himself hating Big Brother and
preferring Goldstein. He looks over atand wonders if the man has observed those minute instances
in time in which Winston has thought on his own and has actually been sympathetic to Goldstein,
who advocates freedom of speech and thought.

He was
abusing Big Brother, he was denouncing the Dictatorship....advocating freedom of speech, freedom
of the press, freedom or thought....

Since the purpose of
the Two-Minute Hate is unison, unison that is encouraged by giving hatred and fear a face, a
name to loathe, Winston's independent thoughts are heretical, and he fears that O'Brien, who
works near him, has read his mind and seems to be saying to him,


"I know precisely what you are feeling. I know all about  your contempt, your
hatred, your disgust.

Worrying that his eyes may have
betrayed him, Winston looks at O'Brien and the man seems to have a look that says, "I am
with you...I know precisely what you are feeling."


Thoughtcrime they called it. Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed
forever. You might dodge successfully for a while,...but sooner or later, they were bound to get
you.

He turns to his secret diary where he sits
undetected by the telescreen. Then, he writes in his diary repeatedly: "DOWN WITH BIG
BROTHER." As one of few who can yet see things objectively, Winston exercises his belief in
the past, and secretly becomes an enemy.

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