Reflection on “1984” Ending

Through moments of great suspense and endless monotony, George Orwell’s 1984 proved a very eye-opening book. The novel was increasingly difficult for me to read and by the close of it I felt wholly defeated. I realized that this reaction is very appropriate and even expected because Orwell’s depiction of a totalitarian society based in hatred and war hysteria is not meant to be a hopeful one. Orwell served his purpose in outlining all of the issues with dictatorial regimes, like Nazi Germany or Communist Russia that were in power during the publication of 1984. Orwell’s purpose was to show the reader the (mostly) average citizen of this society, that being Winston, and his desire to break free of the oppression he has been placed under. The first part of the book outlined the workings of the Party society, the second showed Winston’s beginnings of serious rebellion and the third divulged into his punishment at the Minilove facility where he was beaten down, both physically and in spirit.

I saw the novel as a solid critique of totalitarian regimes, specifically it’s citing of the USSR’s violations of human rights. 1984 proved difficult for me to read seeing that the culture of the Party-world was based in a strict class hierarchy and demanded readers believe that all humans being selfish and power-hungry. This reading is necessary though because denying there is greed and oppression in the world only serves to further hide the existence of greed and oppression.

Ultimately, the ending the of book for me was a difficult one to process. Winston sits in a bar, alone and alcoholic, a human devoid of hope. Upon hearing the news of a great victory for Oceania, Winston leaps up and celebrates wholeheartedly. The final lines of the book prove it’s most powerful. Winston thinks to himself “…everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” (298). I found the end to be almost ironic in that the reader is lead to believe that Winston might still have some spark in him. Possibly he is celebrating the victory because it may end the endless war, but in actuality Winston has truly attained doublethink and his acceptance of his dictator’s power is the cherry on top of his repentance dessert.

Explication of “Barbie Doll”

Marge Piercy’s poem Barbie Doll follows a female from girlhood to death, her life a metaphor for the harm that beauty standards cause women. The piece opens with an account of the subject’s toys such as dolls, stoves and makeup, all objects that represent traditional  femininity and thus this “girlchild” is thrust into her first gender role. The poem’s point comes into focus with the subject’s classmate stating “You have a great big nose and fat legs.” A contrast to this statement is the subjects characterization that outlines the girl as being “healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.” Despite the strength and wit the child possesses she “went to and fro apologizing” for her appearance and existence and believed “Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.” This belief led her to “exercise, diet, smile and wheedle” while societal pressures to “play coy” and “to come on hearty” repeatedly wore at her patience and confidence. Piercy utilizes overstatement to outline the subject’s struggle in that she “cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up.”
The final stanza depicts the woman’s demise and final resting place. No longer does she wear her own make-up but has been painted with the “undertaker's cosmetics.” I find this line interesting in that while alive the subject had no agency in her appearance once she was ridiculed, she existed to please everyone else and now someone else is applying her makeup. Another intriguing line is one that states the girl as having a “turned-up putty nose.” This leads me to believe that the subject went so far as to have cosmetic surgery to fix her perceived imperfection. My theory is that the woman of this poem struggled with an eating disorder and complications of this lead to an untimely death.
The closing lines are powerful and serves to emphasize the author’s views “Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said. Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending.” The line “Doesn't she look pretty” is assumed to be spoke by a attendee of the funeral, a person that shows remorse for the girl yet still only truly sees her for her appearance. The use of “pretty” also finally validates the subject in her attempts to be and feel physically beautiful, but such attempts are in vain for her struggle has killed her. This too-late-validation is mentioned in the lines “Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending.” Ultimately the “happy ending” is ironic in that the currently high standards set for women in society make for no real closure in that no female feels adequate.

Impressions of Julia from “1984”

Prior to Part Two of Orwell’s “1984” I was wary of Julia as a character and shared the same fear as Winston that she was a person not to be trusted. She appeared cold and deceptive. My perception of Julia, like Winton’s, changed dramatically with the first chapter when she slips the infamous note. The note proved that there is a softness to her and a clear penchant for being a traitor of the Party. Julia, then still referred to as ‘the girl,’ is smart about her passing of the note, with a begging facial expression, a deliberate fall and the secret passing of the note. Initially I worried the note was a trap but Winston’s excitement proved otherwise. They meet at Victory Square and she gives him detailed instructions for a meeting and then reaches out to hold his hand, a move that depicts clever planning and romantic inclinations. The two meet in the field. Julia is not vain and “couldn’t care less” (120) about Winston’s slightly haggard appearance. Winston reveals his initial impressions of Julia and she is delighted that her disguise of a “good Party member,” (121) is convincing enough and she admits to being extremely involved with Party volunteer work so as to ensure a good cover. She has a knack for determining who is against the Party, another instance of her apparent cleverness and know-how of the party. Her insight into the Party does not damper her anger however, and she has (as Winston states) “an open jeering hatred” which is framed by shocking the “coarseness of her language” (123). Julia, like Winston, has an appreciation for the beautiful and the unnecessary, like the singing thrush in the woods. Prior to having sex, Julia openly admits to sleeping with “scores” of men within the Outer Party and that she is “corrupt to the bones” (125). Julia proves intelligent in many ways like with skills in communicating beyond the Party’s notice but claims she can only seem to handle machinery, not literature. Ideals of hers are that one must “break the rules and stay alive the same” so as to avoid vaporization but stopping the Party is “stupid” (131). Julia isn’t totally blind to the Party’s wrongdoings but her focus is on this that directly affect her, like the stigma surrounding sex, love and privacy. Despite this Julia is a positive person and enjoys living in the ‘now,’ and incredulously asks “Don’t you enjoy being alive?” (136).

Chapters four through six serve to reinforce Julia’s penchant for rebellion (with the purchases on the black-market) but lack of will to change the nation simply for the sake of change (with her dismissal of not caring about the nation’s ever-changing history).

Predictions for "1984" Part 2

1. At this point in the novel 1984 (approaching Part 2) there is a question of where the narrative of Winston Smith’s will go. There is a chance George Orwell’s story will reflect that of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy where the protagonist becomes the leader of a nation-wide rebellion. In chapter 8, Winston finds that the lowest class, the Proles, could potentially overthrow the government if they chose to do so. This route proves unlikely, for Proles are unconscious and uncaring of political actions. The second move the book may take is the uneventful-account-of-misery plot where a character, like Winston, describes their horrible life in intolerable conditions where no definitive plot is created. The novel is simply an account of an individual through everyday life. I have trouble believing this second theory because the formatting of the book appears that exposition lies in Part 1 and more action will be seen in Part 2. My personal prediction for the story would be that Winston spirals into a hopeless depression (he’s already mostly there) that leads to a quiet case of insanity and he is eventually vaporized by the Thoughtpoilce after someone finds out about his diary-keeping. Despite this being possible, I am most partial to the first option of potential plot direction. This is because it appears Winston is becomingly increasingly comfortable being insubordinate, like with visiting the junk-shop a second time and claiming he would like to keep photographs from the Minitrue. Winston claims his views on history are “right” and thus he must “[defend]” (81) the Party-members from Big Brother. Thus I find he will try to incite rebellion.
2. I have a sinking feeling that Winston will be killed off by the close of the novel. This could mean that he attempts a rebellion, it backfires, and he is quietly vaporized. 
3. Going off of the “protagonist becomes the leader of a nation-wide rebellion” plot I think that Winston’s rebellion will have to involve other people. O’Brien has been portrayed as very important to Winston and I think if Winston is able to get him alone the two could talk and O’Brien could divulge his anger while Winston confesses his keeping a diary.
4. There is much mention of the sexual repression Winston experiences so I predict that Winston will undergo an awakening of sorts. I have a hunch that Winston will encounter a female character that also wants to rebel and she will become a partner-in-crime and possible romantic interest. 

Reflection on the Ministry of Truth in “1984"

In George Orwell’s novel 1984, protagonist Winston Smith works at a government building entitled the Ministry of Truth, or Minitrue (in his national language of Newspeak). The building itself is monstrous and composed of “glittering white concrete” (4). The edifice is huge and stark white so as to contrast the decrepit and dark housing complexes that the citizens must live in. On the front of the building there are the nation’s Party Slogans that read “War is Peace,” “Freedom is Slavery,” and “Ignorance is Strength” (4). These slogans define the ideals of this totalitarian society, one that relies on battle, oppression and unconsciousness. The Minitrue specifically focuses on news and entertainment. Winston’s job at the office is to alter “every kind of literature or documentation which might conceivably hold any political or ideological significance” (40). The nation of Oceania is led by an all-powerful and revered leader named Big Brother. Big Brother’s government officials, like Winston, aid him in remaining honest and respected. Although this honesty is not genuine,  for the Minitrue seeks to destroy all evidence of the government lying and suppress any individuals or occurrences that go against Oceania’s totalitarian regime.
The Ministry and it’s actions mirror those of dictator Joseph Stalin and his Soviet Union. Stalin ordered the purge of individuals that were against the newly formulated Communist government. Officials tried to remove influential figures from documentation and thus change Soviet history. This shaping of the past was done through censoring news, altering images and demolishing film. Political opponents of Stalin, similar to Big Brother, were edited out of history as they fell out of favor with the leader.

Explication of “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”

In Robert Herrick’s piece To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time, he gives advice that is indicative of the title. The first two stanzas give descriptions on “rosebuds” and the setting of the “Sun” where these are symbols that indicate a lack of spare time in living. The second stanzas are more literal in that Herrick explicitly asks the reader to not waste time and marry soon.
The first lines finds one should “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.” The buds are symbolic of a lifetime, where their beauty could presently be so evident but quickly dead-and-gone by the following day.  Herrick essentially is stating that humans have very little time on earth and mortality is ever-encroaching. The second symbol utilized is the sun. This “glorious lamp,” is in contesting with itself where “The sooner will his race be run” the “nearer he's to setting.” Again, Herrick is emphasizing mortality and how life can be looked upon as a race where they are suddenly over and a person’s metaphorical sun has set on them.
The third and fourth stanzas differ from the first in that they are less figurative and more advising. As with the first half of the poem Herrick finds that people must act soon in all they do for “age is best which is the first.” The following line is where Herrick’s advice on being keen with time sees reason. Herrick believes that action should be done “When youth and blood are warmer,” this singles out young people as his subject. Herrick’s ultimate thesis is clearly stated in the final stanza where he warns the reader to “be not coy, but use your time, / And while ye may go marry; / For having lost but once your prime / You may for ever tarry.” Herrick’s title of To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time makes total sense upon completion of the poem. Herrick wants (presumably female) virgins to make haste in finding partners to wed so as to not waste their “prime” of youthfulness and have to possibly live out life as a spinster. Herrick’s sole belief is that virginity should not be preserved but made use of in youth.

Explication of "To His Coy Mistress"

To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell depicts a nameless man speaking to a nameless woman. Here the male speaker begs of the female to be intimate with him and he is quick to remind her of their ever-encroaching mortality. Ultimately, this is the narrator’s inquiry for sex of the mistress and this is best seen in the first stanza. His justification is that there is little time for the two of them saying her refusal to become a sexual partner of his is akin to a “crime.” The man alludes to the rubies of India and compares the mistresses thievery (or stealing of sex from him) to British imperialism. The speaker is not soley considered with a physical relationship but displays having love for this mistress as well. He compares his building affection to the slow process of creating an empire. Upon completion of this empire of love he believes she would “show [her] heart,” which could either mean be finally intimate with him or pay him back with her falling in love, as well. The speaker is genuine in this empire metaphor asserting “For, lady, you deserve this state, / Nor would I love at lower rate.”
The second stanza the speaker returns to his anxiety over time, he fears “Time's winged chariot hurrying near.” But one line later he contradicts himself, stating “yonder all before us lie / Deserts of vast eternity.” It can be argued that the narrator’s incongruity stems from his being desperate for consummating a sexual relationship and then later slowly building a romantic bond. His warning if she doesn’t comply is her eventual resting in a “marble vault” where “worms shall try” to take her “long preserv'd virginity.”
The third and final stanza is his continued plea that the two consummate their relations while they still have a “youthful hue,” to their skin. He finds that if they are quick to get together now then they may “languish,” later. He claims that their “pleasures” will aid them in passing “Thorough the iron gates of life,” and manage the daily strife they are sure to face. His concluding lines are “Thus, though we cannot make our sun / Stand still, yet we will make him run,” depict both the pressure the narrator feels over the passing of time and his finding that with sex they can both speed up and slow down time.