"To the future or to the past, to a time when thought is
free, when men are different from one another and do not
live alone—to a time when truth exists and what is done
cannot be undone:
From the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of double think—greetings!" (Winston, 27)
Winston was very unsure just why he was writing from the very beginning. He pondered about it for a while, and decided that most books are written to tell to future people about the past. The problem is to Winston is how exactly do you communicate with the future. If the future is still like the present then no one would listen because they would all still be following the government and Big Brother's way of thought that no one should hate or go against them.
If the future actually was different, would Winston's current predicament even matter? Would his feeling against the government stand out in a future where everyone would be against Big Brother?
Winston himself is not even sure what year it is so for all he knows he can be in a past that was brought to be because of big brother.
As a solution, Winston makes a statement that dedicates his diary to both future and past. The past, where Winston knew he had freedom. From his own time, where everyone is controlled and it's hard to distinguish one from another and truth from lies. To whoever finds this diary, he greets them, perhaps in hope that his words can reach the reader. No matter their time.
From the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of double think—greetings!" (Winston, 27)
 |
| A past and its future. |
Winston was very unsure just why he was writing from the very beginning. He pondered about it for a while, and decided that most books are written to tell to future people about the past. The problem is to Winston is how exactly do you communicate with the future. If the future is still like the present then no one would listen because they would all still be following the government and Big Brother's way of thought that no one should hate or go against them.
If the future actually was different, would Winston's current predicament even matter? Would his feeling against the government stand out in a future where everyone would be against Big Brother?
Winston himself is not even sure what year it is so for all he knows he can be in a past that was brought to be because of big brother.
As a solution, Winston makes a statement that dedicates his diary to both future and past. The past, where Winston knew he had freedom. From his own time, where everyone is controlled and it's hard to distinguish one from another and truth from lies. To whoever finds this diary, he greets them, perhaps in hope that his words can reach the reader. No matter their time.
I thought Winston's question about whether his writing would be relevant in a different time very interesting. We often talk of the importance of literature in changing times and how older texts can be relevant to this day. Given that the culture of Oceania must be very different for Winston to think that and not think of the general impact of words. Later we learn that books are changed to agree with the Party which makes me wonder how many books are kept within their historical context if any.
ReplyDeleteI believe you understood the concept very well you saw the flaw Winston had from the very beginning. You bring in to play the past and the present with such ease. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI like that not only saw it in your perspective bua also saw how winston would think of it. Especially how his writing would even matter if everyone was too brainwashed or big brother was no more.
ReplyDeleteI thought that you had questioned from Winston's possible points of questioning. It engaged my attention on also the present and future references of Winston.
ReplyDeleteWhen you addressed the question of whether Winston's writing would be relevant in a different time a very good question to ask. I would like to believe that although it wouldn't have much meaning to people of another time it would still help them see whether it be the past or the future of his situation. I also like that you not only added who you interpreted the quote, but how Winston thought and questions. It makes me think deeper on the quote and have a deeper understanding of a quote that could easier be looked over if not reading carefully.
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