WAR
IS PEACE: pages 192-193: “In his capacity as an administrator…with
Oceania the undisputed master of the entire world”.
-
Goldstein speaks that it is necessary
for the Party to “split” the intelligence of its members, easier to do during
war.
-
Inner Party aware of the untruthful
nature of Big Brother and the lies it tells about wars.
-
BB uses Inner Party to suppress free-thought
through use of double-think; IP unwilling to suggest lies to the “undisputed
master of the entire world”.
WAR
IS PEACE: page 199: “The peculiar pressure that it exerted
on human beings…the inner meaning of the Party slogan: WAR IS PEACE”.
-
War is not a means of destroying other
nations anymore, since it is impossible for the three states to take each other
out, even with an alliance.
-
The Party uses War as a way of
maintaining ignorance amongst their members.
-
War in this world would be equivalent to
having “perpetual peace” with other nations, each state would not have to worry
about each other, and thus the citizens would not have to know about differing
cultures and places.
IGNORANCE
IS STRENGTH:
pages 202-202: “The Middle, so long as it was struggling for power…a fresh
tyranny as soon as soon as the old one was overthrown”.
-
Social hierarchy has always been a part
of society: always a High, a Middle, and a Low.
-
The Middle and the Low often ally to
downfall the High, yet the Middle tend to take the position of the High.
-
The Middle has always been thirsty for
power, and will disenfranchise the Low after every successful uprising.
-
The Party wants to avoid this
possibility by eradicating the thought of rebellion, thus Ignorance is Strength
because without rebellion, there is no weakness.
IGNORANCE
IS STRENGTH:
pages 211-: “A Party member is required to have not only the right opinions…self-abasement
before the power and wisdom of the Party”.
-
Goldstein speaks about the use of
double-think and Newspeak specifically: the term double-think, stemming from
the language “Newspeak” makes it nearly impossible for members to think deeply
on any subject.
-
This makes it easier for the government
to have complete control, essentially eradicating emotion and free-thought.
-
Aims to avoid rebellious and pleasurable
actions by eradicating the words and emotions that come with them. Hope to
establish ignorance in the members as to avoid the revealing of the truth and
oppression.
-
Government thinks strength only stems
from the guarantee of complete approval with little to no opposition from
members of the party – anyone who rebels is vaporized.
SUMMARY:
-
Winston receives opportunity to read The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical
Collectivism by Emmanuel Goldstein.
-
Becomes fascinated by the “truth” he is
obtaining from the book.
-
First chapter he reads in depth
addresses the War is Peace slogan to
the Party.
o
3 superstates formed from the combining
of major powers: Eurasia comprised of Russia and Europe, Oceania comprised of
United States and Great Britain, Eastasia comprised of northeastern Asia, China
and India.
o
All 3 superstates have equal military
power, cannot destroy each other through war; cannot destroy each other at all.
o
The Party tells its citizens that they
are at War to create anger and hatred for other states in order to form a
secure society.
o
War has not become all out war, it is
equivalent to permanent peace, used only to maintain the ignorance of citizens
to admire their government and ignore other societies and cultures.
-
Second and final chapter Winston reads
in length is titled Ignorance is Strength.
o
Basically, Goldstein implies that the
hierarchical system, which has been around since the Neolithic times, is trying
to be nearly eradicated by the Party.
§ Although
the Party still incorporates it through Inner and Outer Parties and the Proles,
the premise behind the system is being changed.
o
Often times, the Middle and Low classes
would take out the High and the Middle class will take over the mission of the
High class, returning Low class to servitude and obedience.
o
Party wants to avoid this possibility by
incorporating concepts like double-think and Newspeak, essentially stripping
humans of their humanity and emotions.
§ Makes
it more difficult for members to rebel because they don’t have the intelligence
(or if they do the courage) to actually revolt.
o
Very effective because it runs parallels
with how the Party handles War, relates back to the idea of nationalism, where
citizens are confined to the belief that their Party is paramount.
-
Concludes with Julia and Winston briefly
discussing the book by Goldstein and falling asleep.
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