1984 as a whole

     When we first began reading 1984, my dad would tell me how people were actually terrified of Big Brother and INGSOC. After reading it for myself, a huge thing that I noticed was the clever similarities to what I learned in Modern World History as a freshmen. This is what made the book much more interesting and thrilling; to be able to put yourself in the place of people reading the book in 1950.
     I can't say I'm surprised that O'Brien ended up being a spy for the Party. Throughout the entire book, there was always that hint that he would end up in that role. The way he was so openly against them and the way he would encourage Winston to act that way was always suspicious. In the end, the reader finally discovers what is behind the elusive Room 101. To my understanding, it is a room where the victims greatest fear is forced upon them, resulting in the most demeaning and degrading torture possible. In Winston's case, this would be by surrounding him with rats, which happens to be his biggest fear. O'Brien ends up sparing him, but only after Winston betrays Julia. To be honest, I expected this to happen because I didn't know how much living under the Party's extremely watchful eye Winston would be able to handle.
     When Winston meets Julia again after being relinquished, it seemed like a very bittersweet situation. They both felt as if their relationship would no longer be able to exist, but this would probably work out better considering they both admitted to betraying each other to the Party. The ending of 1984(especially the last four words) was extremely shocking! It was a complete contrast from the entire duration of the story. Winston's hatred towards Big Brother and the Party was one of if not the most crucial part of the story. However, Winston claims to feel a sense of victory and love towards Big Brother. This was a twist that I certainly did not expect.

"The Book"

     The book that was a big part of Book II, The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism, enforced the three most major points of the Party. This being, "Freedom is Slavery, War is Peace, and Ignorance is Strength". Winston becomes infatuated with this book. He is overjoyed to receive it first of all, and as he reads the vast array of information, the reader also gets to read what the book holds. The book shows just how intense the Party's influence is over society. They truly take control over manipulating every aspect. Whether it be war, the environment, the economy, and even more personal matters, there is a description of what the standard should be. The book must be trying to convince the people of the legitimacy of the Party, and reduce instances of rebellion.
     I think this is very representative of Orwell's criticism of many totalitarian regimes and how if they were to continue, they would destroy our country. The way they would just rewrite history, for example, the ever-shifting relationship between Oceania, Eastasia, and Eurasia is something noticed by Winston, infuriating him. I am sure many people in Oceania are aware of this but are overwhelmed by doublethink to even care. However, the way they would rewrite history creepily reminded me of the slideshow we looked at in the beginning of 1984, when Stalin would alter photographs and literature. I think our society would look similar to Oceania in 1984 if this had not been stopped. I think Orwell's critiques disguised in the form of 1984 are really well-written and give food for thought with "The Book".

Explication of Lady Luncheon Club by Maya Angelou

     This poem by Maya Angelou exclusively uses irony to bring upon the most valid points about sexism and gender roles in society. I picture the ladies described in this poem to be of an upper class, but to also be interested in topics such as world affairs, etc. There is a sense of irony in lines three and four. The Lady Luncheon Club is paying the guest speaker from their "petty cash account" (3), yet the woman checks her golden watch, which the reader should assume is an expensive item. There is a guest speaker at this luncheon, but it is not an established woman, for it is just a man. He is described as someone with false sincerity, and false empathy for the injustices many women have had to face. The man claims to understand the rage of biblical woman such as Eve and Delilah but I am sure most of the women at the Luncheon just laugh at this attempt at empathy.
     For each subject the guest speaker goes over, the reader sees into the minds of the esteemed women at the event. She is thinking petty thoughts like how the coffee is too strong and how the cake is much too sweet. Instead of listening to what could be very reasonable and intelligent thoughts from the guest speaker, the woman is only paying attention to obsolete aspects. I think Maya Angelou is trying to play on the degrading stereotype that women aren't good for anything except taking care of the domestic aspects of life. This is where the irony lies. Obviously, Maya Angelou would not believe these types of stereotypes but rather, she is making fun of them. These are supposed to be women that care about societal issues and worry about sophisticated world problems, but when there is someone right in front of them to inform them, they are just busy worrying about nothingness.

My evolving impressions of Julia from 1984

     When Julia is first introduced as the youthful girl with dark hair, she has an air of mystery surrounding her. One of my first instincts as a reader is that she is a spy from the Party, a trap for Winston to fall into. However, I also see the positive sides of Julia as well. When she tells Winston she loves him, it brings a light to Winston's character that has not been seen in the previous chapters of the book. Julia is somewhat of a confusing character. One second she is the ideal party member, Junior Anti-Sex League and all, and the next second she is committing one of the most damning acts against the Party with Winston. The sexuality she exudes is something that arouses Winston in more ways than one. He evens thinks she might even be a key component in taking down the Party. However, Julia is just not as politically oriented as Winston is.
     In book two chapter four, Julia becomes disengaged and distant from Winston, which leads him to believe she may be sleeping with other men, just like she had confessed she had done in the past to him earlier. Julia and Winston are both violent-minded characters and the dwindling of their relationship makes Winston violently angry. He is definitely aware that their relationship could have them "intentionally stepping nearer to their graves" (140) but he wants nothing more than to be able to walk around town like normal and call her his wife. Julia's rule-breaking hits an all time high as she steals food, makeup, and her and Winston act like two Proles, not two high-ranking members of the Party.
     Julia seems to be one of the only positive aspects of Winston's life. Since she has been around, his varicose ulcer disappeared, his coughing subsided, and he kicked his bad gin habit. It seems as though Winston finds comfort and safety in the extreme danger his relationship with Julia puts him in.