"'Did you ever happen to hear an old rhyme that begins Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St. Clements?' Again O'Brien nodded. With a sort of grave courtesy he completed the stanza:
'Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St. Clements,
You owe me three farthings, say the bells of St. Martin's,
When will you pay me? say the bells of Old Bailey,
When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch'"(178).
The rhyme that Winston searches for all throughout the first half of the book is actually an old traditional song.... Perhaps the rhyme was chosen by Orwell because of its sinister connotations: it is believed that the rhyme was highly influenced by the public executions that took place at Newgate prison, which was located right beside Old Bailey, England's most important court. The bells of Old Bailey would ring before an execution, therefore asking the condemned criminals "When will you pay me?"
Ironic in many ways, Orwell chooses O'Brien to finally reveal the last line of the rhyme. In a prime example of doublethink, O'Brien, a full fledged member of the Party and the Thought Police, is the one who knows the entire rhyme, although he should have no knowledge of such a thing ever having existed. It seems Orwell uses this rhyme to symbolize how near Winston is to betrayal. Early in the novel Winston learns the first two lines from the owner of the junk shop, who is really a member of the thought police surveying Winston along with the rest. Then when Winston meets Julia he learns the third line and further loses himself to the thought police by being ever present in the room in the junk shop, that is complete with a hidden telescreen. Then when Winston finally meets his final "betrayer," O'Brien, the man to get the confession out of Winston as well as to fully earn his trust, he learns the last line.
http://www.rhymes.org.uk/oranges_and_lemons.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/LONold.htm http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/LONnewgate.htm
Friday, September 9, 2011
Being Watched through Technology - 1984 IX
"The voice came from an oblong metal plaque like a dulled mirror which formed part of the surface of the right-hand wall. Winston turned a switch and the voice sank somewhat, though the words were still distinguishable. The instrument (the telescreen, it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely" (2).
The television was relatively new when Orwell was writing 1984; the first successful electronic television was demonstrated in 1927, but owning televisions in a home did not really start until the 40's, with wide scale broadcasting only coming into being right around the time Orwell was writing this novel. Therefore, it is highly probable that Orwell, along with others, were very speculative of the television and all its abilities. The early rumors surrounding the television are most likely where Orwell drew his inspiration for idea of the telescreen, essentially a TV that can never be shut off and that acts as a window through which the room and people in it can be watched and listened to.
http://www.nyu.edu/classes/stephens/History%20of%20Television%20page.htm
The television was relatively new when Orwell was writing 1984; the first successful electronic television was demonstrated in 1927, but owning televisions in a home did not really start until the 40's, with wide scale broadcasting only coming into being right around the time Orwell was writing this novel. Therefore, it is highly probable that Orwell, along with others, were very speculative of the television and all its abilities. The early rumors surrounding the television are most likely where Orwell drew his inspiration for idea of the telescreen, essentially a TV that can never be shut off and that acts as a window through which the room and people in it can be watched and listened to.
http://www.nyu.edu/classes/stephens/History%20of%20Television%20page.htm
Vacant Memories - 1984 VIII
"For some reason they were nicknamed memory holes. When one knew that any document was due for destruction, or even when one saw a scrap of waste paper lying about, it was an automatic action to lift the flap of the nearest memory hole and drop it in, whereupon it would be whirled away on a current of warm air to the enormous furnaces which were hidden somewhere in the recesses of the building" (37-38).
The memory holes not only serve as a reminder of just how much the Party controls history, but Orwell also uses them as a reminder of the Party's absolute control over the minds of Party members. Any scrap piece of a memory, any information that suddenly became out of date because Oceania switched alliances in the war must be thrown down the metaphoric memory hole. The memory holes filling the workplace are yet another reminder that nothing in Oceania is concrete, and that a Party member must always be ready and willing to throw out out-of-date information.
The memory holes not only serve as a reminder of just how much the Party controls history, but Orwell also uses them as a reminder of the Party's absolute control over the minds of Party members. Any scrap piece of a memory, any information that suddenly became out of date because Oceania switched alliances in the war must be thrown down the metaphoric memory hole. The memory holes filling the workplace are yet another reminder that nothing in Oceania is concrete, and that a Party member must always be ready and willing to throw out out-of-date information.
The Power of Control - 1984 VII
"'Who controls the past,' ran the Party slogan, 'controls the future: who controls the present controls the past'" (34).
The past seems an unalterable thing; yet in most forms of history, such as oral history, or the histories found in books, such as the Bible which has been "re-translated" at least once by a king who could rewrite it without fearing any consequence, truth has ultimately been lost. Orwell realizes, though, that there is still the truth that comes into being when one believes completely that an event has occurred; therefore he is able to successfully use this idea as one of the founding principles of his Utopia he creates in 1984. If everyone believes that the event happened in reality, than no one can say that it did not happen. The Party realizes that although the past is generally thought of as a factual thing, it is really a story riddled with bias and falsities, a story controlled by those who hold power over the present; thus, the controller of the present controls the past. More importantly, though, is how the Party uses this power; they use their ability to change the past in order to adjust events so that the Party is continuously correct. Although at first this seems like more than a slight waste of time, a perfect rule would not be possible without it. Because the Party is continuously correct, the people have no reason for discontent, which completely removes an extremely common reason for overthrow. In that way, the Party's control of the present gives them the control of the future.
The past seems an unalterable thing; yet in most forms of history, such as oral history, or the histories found in books, such as the Bible which has been "re-translated" at least once by a king who could rewrite it without fearing any consequence, truth has ultimately been lost. Orwell realizes, though, that there is still the truth that comes into being when one believes completely that an event has occurred; therefore he is able to successfully use this idea as one of the founding principles of his Utopia he creates in 1984. If everyone believes that the event happened in reality, than no one can say that it did not happen. The Party realizes that although the past is generally thought of as a factual thing, it is really a story riddled with bias and falsities, a story controlled by those who hold power over the present; thus, the controller of the present controls the past. More importantly, though, is how the Party uses this power; they use their ability to change the past in order to adjust events so that the Party is continuously correct. Although at first this seems like more than a slight waste of time, a perfect rule would not be possible without it. Because the Party is continuously correct, the people have no reason for discontent, which completely removes an extremely common reason for overthrow. In that way, the Party's control of the present gives them the control of the future.
Secret Sighs - 1984 VI
"A deep and as it were secret sigh went through the Department. A mighty deed, which could never be mentioned, had been achieved. It was now impossible for any human being to prove by documentary evidence that the war with Eurasia had ever happened" (183).
When the war against Eurasia suddenly becomes a war against Eastasia, an enormous forgery has to be committed. But in accordance with the wondrous properties of doublethink, once the forgery is committed no forgery has been committed. Orwell uses the event to show just how well the Party's system is developed: even the workers whose job it is to forge events into being cannot remember that they had done such a thing.
When the war against Eurasia suddenly becomes a war against Eastasia, an enormous forgery has to be committed. But in accordance with the wondrous properties of doublethink, once the forgery is committed no forgery has been committed. Orwell uses the event to show just how well the Party's system is developed: even the workers whose job it is to forge events into being cannot remember that they had done such a thing.
Stolen Hearts - 1984 V
"'It was only an 'opeless fancy
It passed like an Ipril dye
But a look an' a word an' the dreams they stirred
They 'ave stolen my 'eart awye'" (218).
The song written by the Party for the proles is ever reoccuring in Winston's story, as it tells his tale along with George Orwell. Orwell uses the song to describe Winston's hopeless fancy for the future to be like the past, and a desire to help make it turn out that way. But although he feels this fancy rather strongly, he never bothered to act on it until one day he gets a look from O'Brien during the Two Minutes Hate that cause dreams of joining the underground conspiracy group referred to as "the Brotherhood" in their supposed quest to overthrow the Party. Orwell put two meanings in the last line of the song. The first meaning is how Winston and others in his position would understand the song, if they realize that it is deeper than a simple song for the proles: the dreams and falsities that they wanted to believe as truth stole their hearts and, essentially, their souls. The second meaning of the last line is the view of one more sympathetic to Winston's cause: the "they" in the last line is referring to the Thought Police, and how they will steal your heart and soul once they know of the dreams in your heart. But as the purpose of the song was never outwardly broadcast as a warning, or a tale of a Party member gone astray, the proles take it to be a song of a lost love, and the Party members barely know of its existence.
It passed like an Ipril dye
But a look an' a word an' the dreams they stirred
They 'ave stolen my 'eart awye'" (218).
The song written by the Party for the proles is ever reoccuring in Winston's story, as it tells his tale along with George Orwell. Orwell uses the song to describe Winston's hopeless fancy for the future to be like the past, and a desire to help make it turn out that way. But although he feels this fancy rather strongly, he never bothered to act on it until one day he gets a look from O'Brien during the Two Minutes Hate that cause dreams of joining the underground conspiracy group referred to as "the Brotherhood" in their supposed quest to overthrow the Party. Orwell put two meanings in the last line of the song. The first meaning is how Winston and others in his position would understand the song, if they realize that it is deeper than a simple song for the proles: the dreams and falsities that they wanted to believe as truth stole their hearts and, essentially, their souls. The second meaning of the last line is the view of one more sympathetic to Winston's cause: the "they" in the last line is referring to the Thought Police, and how they will steal your heart and soul once they know of the dreams in your heart. But as the purpose of the song was never outwardly broadcast as a warning, or a tale of a Party member gone astray, the proles take it to be a song of a lost love, and the Party members barely know of its existence.
Newtext - 1984 IV
"'It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words. Of course the great wastage is in the verbs and adjectives, but there are hundreds of nouns that can be got rid of as well'" (51).
In his creation of Newspeak, George Orwell seems to have partially prophesied the language of texting. Words like "Minitrue" (Ministry of Truth) or "duckspeak" (to quack like a duck), or even "stealed" (the new past tense of to steal) seem to have eerily foreshadowed the incorrect grammar and shortened words that have developed on their own today. Unlike texting lingo, though, Newspeak was created and made to become accepted into society in order to shrink the range of possible thoughts, rather than to shrink the time it takes to express any possible thought or emotion.
In his creation of Newspeak, George Orwell seems to have partially prophesied the language of texting. Words like "Minitrue" (Ministry of Truth) or "duckspeak" (to quack like a duck), or even "stealed" (the new past tense of to steal) seem to have eerily foreshadowed the incorrect grammar and shortened words that have developed on their own today. Unlike texting lingo, though, Newspeak was created and made to become accepted into society in order to shrink the range of possible thoughts, rather than to shrink the time it takes to express any possible thought or emotion.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
How the Top 'ats 'ave Gorn - 1984 III
"The old man brightened suddenly. 'Top 'ats!' he said. 'Funny you should mention 'em. The same thing came into my 'ead only yesterday. I donno why. I was jest thinking. I ain't seen a top 'at in years. Gorn right out, they 'ave'" (90).
Because Winston is obviously lacking in solid evidence to tell him that the past was better than his present, he felt the need to find someone who would remember the pre-revolutionary days enough to give him a rough sketch for him to form his view of then vs. now on. When considering how to do this, though, it is discovered that the reign of the Party is rather absolute: those who would have been able to tell him the differences have been "vaporized" by the Party; those living seem to not have the mental capacity or the care to have a grasp on the politics that existed in the past or the present. Orwell uses this encounter to reveal the characteristics of the proles, the people who are not involved with the Party and seem to have no grasp on the Party or its ideals. The proles simply think that it is the natural turn of things for popular trend to come and go, without ever realizing that their could be other reasons and motivations for things to happen the way they do. The proles are, in essence, unaware of the Party's existence. Once the truth of the situation is revealed, there seems to be nothing backing Winston's idea that hope lies in the proles; instead, it is as if the carpet has been pulled out from under Winston's hope.
Because Winston is obviously lacking in solid evidence to tell him that the past was better than his present, he felt the need to find someone who would remember the pre-revolutionary days enough to give him a rough sketch for him to form his view of then vs. now on. When considering how to do this, though, it is discovered that the reign of the Party is rather absolute: those who would have been able to tell him the differences have been "vaporized" by the Party; those living seem to not have the mental capacity or the care to have a grasp on the politics that existed in the past or the present. Orwell uses this encounter to reveal the characteristics of the proles, the people who are not involved with the Party and seem to have no grasp on the Party or its ideals. The proles simply think that it is the natural turn of things for popular trend to come and go, without ever realizing that their could be other reasons and motivations for things to happen the way they do. The proles are, in essence, unaware of the Party's existence. Once the truth of the situation is revealed, there seems to be nothing backing Winston's idea that hope lies in the proles; instead, it is as if the carpet has been pulled out from under Winston's hope.
An Object from the Past - 1984 II
"It was a heavy lump of glass, curved on one side, flat on the other, making almost a hemisphere. There was a peculiar softness, as of rainwater, in both the color and the texture of the glass. At the heart of it, magnified by the curved surface, there was a strange, pink, convoluted object that recalled a rose or a sea anemone" (95).
Orwell uses Winston's discovery of the thing with the "apparent uselessness" to show how the past begins to dawn on Winston: the past must have been better than the present (an idea as familiar to romantics as the idea that "the grass is always greener.." is to cows). But like the cows assumption that the grass on the other side of the fence is better, the assumption that the past is better than the present is developed from sight alone, from what is seen in the ancient paperweight. Orwell characterizes the paperweight in such a way that it becomes the symbol of Winston's hope for a better future.
Orwell uses Winston's discovery of the thing with the "apparent uselessness" to show how the past begins to dawn on Winston: the past must have been better than the present (an idea as familiar to romantics as the idea that "the grass is always greener.." is to cows). But like the cows assumption that the grass on the other side of the fence is better, the assumption that the past is better than the present is developed from sight alone, from what is seen in the ancient paperweight. Orwell characterizes the paperweight in such a way that it becomes the symbol of Winston's hope for a better future.
Shattered Ideals - 1984 I
"Someone had picked up the glass paperweight from the table and smashed it to pieces on the hearthstone. The fragment of coral, a tiny crinkle of pink like a sugar rosebud from a cake, rolled across the mat. How small, thought Winston, how small it always was!" (223).
The paperweight was introduced as the symbol of Winston's hope almost the moment Winston had begun to develop that hope. Orwell continues to throw in brief mentions of the paperweight being present in the scene until the moment when it seems hope will grow into reality. But just as it seems the goal is about to be realized, the paperweight, along with Winston's dream, is smashed. Orwell then uses the metaphor of the coral being Winston's hope to reveal just how small the hope had been; yet in a desperate brain, such as Winston's, a little can appear to be a lot. Although the hope most likely should have appeared small to the audience, Orwell is telling the story through Winston's point of view, therefore blowing the hope out of proportion.
The paperweight was introduced as the symbol of Winston's hope almost the moment Winston had begun to develop that hope. Orwell continues to throw in brief mentions of the paperweight being present in the scene until the moment when it seems hope will grow into reality. But just as it seems the goal is about to be realized, the paperweight, along with Winston's dream, is smashed. Orwell then uses the metaphor of the coral being Winston's hope to reveal just how small the hope had been; yet in a desperate brain, such as Winston's, a little can appear to be a lot. Although the hope most likely should have appeared small to the audience, Orwell is telling the story through Winston's point of view, therefore blowing the hope out of proportion.
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