1984-September 23rd, 2008

This weeks reading is relatively short, but Winston is talking with O'Brien. O'Brien is showing his appreciation for Winston's work. This could be somewhat of an invite for Winston to join the Inner Party. O'Brien gives his address to Winston, right in front of a telescreen. Winston mentions a sensation of "stepping into the dampness of a grave, and it was not much better because he had always known that the grave was there and waiting for him." Is Winston foreshadowing his own death? By taking the time to meet with O'Brien ultimately kill him?

Chapter 7 starts off with Winston waking with tears in his eyes. He had a dream of his mother and his sister. He was inside a glass paperweight, everything flooded with a soft white light, bringing back the memory of what really happened. Winston tells us of his past. He was sort of a naggy little kid. When it was supper time, he wanted more than anyone else, and wouldn't quite nagging until he got it. Same with the chocolate ration. He thought he should get all of it. Getting 3/4 of it wasn't enough obviously. He stole the other quarter from his sister and ran away! Winston was feeling guilty of killing his mother and sister, because he possibly starved them to death of his greed. And once you were gone, so was your memory.

Winston's idea's of the proles is quite interesting. The proles are no loyal to a party or a country or an idea, they were loyal to each other. They had stayed human! The proles hadn't become like the rest of the population and turned into robots. They held on to what made them feel human: their emotions.

In chapter 8, Julia and Winston take the time to meet with O'Brien. Once arriving at his home, they realize that he is part of the Inner Party. What was wierd about the Inner Party homes, was that they could turn off their telescreens. However, why do they need them anyway? Isn't the Inner Party the one's who are in control of the telescreens? It is kind of ironic that they Inner party trusts the employees enough to turn off their telescreens, because Winston and O'Brien are plotting against the Party. Oops.

O'Brien asks a series of questions asking the dedication of Winston. The only thing they didn't agree to is the separation of Julia and Winston, which isn't suprising. They do have a love for each other that they don't want to give up. The way the questions were asked, it seemed that they were going to be employees of the party itself. I guess we will have to see.