This is getting personal

"Always in your stomach and in your skin there was a sort of protest, a feeling that you've been cheated that you had a right to" Page 59-1984

The first half of this book had been rather enjoyable. I'm a fan of people sticking up from themselves and I enjoy reading Winston realize what his life is and stand against it (seen really in the above quote). I'm sure the ending of this book will have a sad ending because it wouldn't of made it to Mr. Costello's class with a happy ending. (see every play short story and even some poetry that was read in class. I think my personal saddest story was when the small child climbs through barbed wire and the cat survives). I also enjoy the writing style of Mr. Orwell, the description is great and really transports the reader into this stale dreary world. I also love the description of the few nature scenes in this book (the edge of the cliff and the grove that Julia and Winston chill out in). It adds a flash of light in the dim lunchroom or cramp cubicle that has paper flinging into it at all times. Finally I just like Winston and Julia, they got several *cute points* when they refused to separate (when talking to O'Brien). Also the way they balance each other is rather nice and amusing.

My final praise/fear of this book is how it makes me think. Similar to Lord of the Flies this book makes me question the world around me and how society is changing. Hopefully books and ideas similar to Mr. Orwell's stops any progression to 1984's society.

My 100th blog post- Oh my

Dear Mr. Costello,

Ew

EB

WAR IS PEACE

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

Page 4-1984

One technological style tool Mr. Owell uses throughout the book (up to this point) is the use of various fonts and styles of font. Big Brother's slogan's (seen above) is always in ALL CAPITOL LETTERS and spaced the same. It is never hidden in a paragraph to be forgotten. Similarly Winston's journal entries are always initialized. In this way Owell is making visuals out of his prose. This works well to distinguish if something is important (like the journal entires) and to express theme. One theme is that "Big Brother is watching", well to me that means he's everywhere and his slogan is everywhere. It's on posters, coins telescreens and it's always in capitol letters. It simply can not be ignored thanks to it's large and aggressive nature. Owell is able to portray this thought to the reader by making Big Brother's slogan jump off the page and into your personal space.

The difference of the settings

"...utterly secure, with nobody watching you, no voice pursuing you, no sound except the singing of the kettle and the friendly ticking of the clock"Page 96- 1984

To this point of the story the book 1984 doesn't really have many settings. Winston stays in his room, his cubicle the lunch room and a couple of streets. Once he hooks up with Julia this all changes. I think the drastic changes of setting show Winston's journey against Big Brother. For example in the beginning of the story he isn't in the setting hes' suppose to be in (the lunchroom) in fact he's hiding from the setting. This step show's Winston's initial steps away from Big Brother. Then he takes another step away from Big Brother when he goes to the proles. He's not where he's suppose to be, yet because he went to this dirty setting he was able to find a safe room for him and Julia. When Winston and Julia first hooked up their settings were hiding places scattered around and not particularly safe. These settings show their fear of punishment and their feelings for each other. When they finally get together in the room by the shop they finally feel safe, this change in setting is a transition from hiding to feeling "utterly secure". This change in setting is the catalyst needed to make Julia and Winston seek O'Brien out.

1984- Taking No PDA to a new level

"The sexual act, successfully preformed, was rebellion" Page 68- 1984

Before I start this blog I just would like to point out the irony on how this book predicted that purity would be overly promoted. Yet right now I'm listening to Billy Joel's Greatest Hit's, many written in the 80s and many promoting sex.

The relationship between Julia and Winston is completely wrong. Big Brother/The Party simply did not want any relationships that they wouldn't have control over. Every time Winston and Julia are together they feel alive and more passionate. Another reason I think The Party fears physical relationships between Party members is due to the passion it produces. Looking at Winston once he enters a passionate relationship he starts to feel happier,safer healthier and questions the world about him. He accepts less. Also due to the hype that The Party has created when Julia and Winston hook up they also add a touch of rebellion. It is "A direct blow against the Party. It was a political act" (Page 126).

Throughout the theme of no physical relationships (or relationships in general) seems to bring out how controlling The Party is. Their power is so great they control who you're with, and what you're doing is right.

Winston vs. Julia

"Oh rubbish! Which would you rather sleep with, me or a skeleton? Don't you enjoy being alive? Don't you like this feeling:" Page 136- 1984

Throughout the first half of 1984 George Orwell creates two characters. Winston (or narrator) begins the story hiding behind a shelf trying to rebel. He isn't ready to do anything really serious in fact he consoles himself by saying what he was doing would only land him a couple of years in prison at most. He's a 39 year old man who finally comes to terms with his rebellious nature. Until this point he really hasn't done much. Enter Julia who sweeps Winston off his feet and makes him step outside of the law. The minute she bumps into him in the hallway (with her oh so scandalous note) Winston is thrown into movement against Big Brother. Julia, at the ripe age of 19, still has a love of life and wants to hope. Although it seems like Julia pulls Winston around they need each other to balance and stay alive. Winston succeeds in finding them a safe place to go and their relationship remains unknown to the authorities. I think the age difference between the pair shows the effects of living under The Party. Winston accepts (with fear) that he's going to die due to his illegal actions will Julia still hopes for a life outside of Big Brother. Although I don't know how the story will end, the characterization between these characters brings an entire diffrent level on how this future society is jacked up.