Reply #6: Orwell.... [View All]

[Book Lover]

First of all, if you're still hungry for more Orwell in this vein, try the essay Politics and the English Language free and online here http://www.resort.com/~prime8/Orwell/patee.html. It will make you feel better. I hope.

Many critics have said that with Orwell, you really don't have to dig *too* deep. Why did Winston capitulate? Because he was human and was broken by the machine of the Party. O'Brien tortured him because he could, just like he said to Winston (paraphrasing here: "The purpose of power is power.")

Not sure I recall the thing about 7 years, though. I don't believe Winston was held for that long (?)