Quote: In "1984," when Winston is given the manifesto for the underground movement in Oceania, the author of the manifesto writes "The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison they never even become aware that they are oppressed." (207)
I chose this quote because this is the most important part of the book, in my opinion. Orwell has created a way to talk plainly and without pretense of story about his beliefs about politics. Since "1984" is intended largely as a political statement, that means that the transcript of "the book" is the section most clearly representing what Orwell wants to say about where he feels that society is going. I do not think that reading this foreshadows any drastic change in Winston's demeanor, though, as he certifies his agreement with the book intermittently.
Analysis: This quote, especially the oppression by standards part, is a deep insight. This idea could be applied to explaining the Arab Spring last year. As those countries became more connected and saw more of the world (often via the internet) they decided that their lives were unsatisfactory in comparison. This is also an illustration of the fine difference between revolutionary and oppressor. The manifesto that this is an excerpt of essentially condones the actions of and justifies the Party. Even as the author criticizes the cyclical nature of power, he furthers it himself. The futility of idealism is a theme that is prevalent throughout "1984."
I chose this quote because this is the most important part of the book, in my opinion. Orwell has created a way to talk plainly and without pretense of story about his beliefs about politics. Since "1984" is intended largely as a political statement, that means that the transcript of "the book" is the section most clearly representing what Orwell wants to say about where he feels that society is going. I do not think that reading this foreshadows any drastic change in Winston's demeanor, though, as he certifies his agreement with the book intermittently.
Analysis: This quote, especially the oppression by standards part, is a deep insight. This idea could be applied to explaining the Arab Spring last year. As those countries became more connected and saw more of the world (often via the internet) they decided that their lives were unsatisfactory in comparison. This is also an illustration of the fine difference between revolutionary and oppressor. The manifesto that this is an excerpt of essentially condones the actions of and justifies the Party. Even as the author criticizes the cyclical nature of power, he furthers it himself. The futility of idealism is a theme that is prevalent throughout "1984."
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