1984: Book 2, Chapter 8

1. 1984: Book 2, Chapter 8 By Mark Newman

2. What Happens? • Winston and Julia visit O’Brien at his apartment • The luxuries of an Inner-Party Member’s apartment are revealed, e.g. fine food, clean walls, telescreen can be turned off • Winston admits to O’Brien he is a traitor to the party amongst other things, and asks whether he can join O’Brien in the rebellion • O’Brien accepts both Winston and Julia after much questioning • The Brotherhood is talked about in greater depth for the first time in the novel • Winston is told that once he has read Goldstein’s book, he will be a full member of the Brotherhood

3. Use of Character • As the chapter begins, O’Brien is described in a way to show that he is hardworking and intelligent, meaning he is both an asset and a possible danger to the party • When Winston and Julia’s presence is realised, his look is stern and perturbed, “his expression was grimmer than usual, as though he were not pleased at being disturbed”. This quote sparks curiosity and momentum in the story, as it was O’Brien who invited Winston, yet now that he has appeared, he seems reluctant to welcome Winston • He then breaks into a near smile, becoming very hospitable, offering wine to Julia and Winston, creating a feeling of confusion towards O’Brien’s primary emotion of annoyance • Finally, he becomes business like, in his initiation and acceptance of Julia and Winston into the Brotherhood

4. Use of Setting • “The room they were standing in was long-shaped and softly lit. The telescreen was dimmed to a low murmur; the richness of the dark-blue carpet gave one the impression of treading on velvet.” • This description creates a feeling of relaxation, with a large room giving plenty of space to move, the ever-interrupting telescreen nearly silenced into a calming purr, and the dark-blue carpet, easy to look upon, and melting into the dark surroundings • As well as this, the working elevators, smell of delicious food, and knowledge of servants creates an emotion of amazement in the reader, creating momentum as they wish to see if any other luxuries are given to inner-party members, which remind Winston of a better time and that he can never truly remember possessing

5. Use of Plot • The first official meeting with O’Brien is a moment that the reader has been anxiously awaiting, and the moment does not disappoint • After a short period of vague and awkward tension, the chapter opens up, into a discussion of the Brotherhood, and questions that test Winston’s allegiance to the Brotherhood • It is interesting that although Winston opposes undeniable allegiance to Big Brother, he is happy to “throw sulphuric acid in a child’s face” for the sake of the Brotherhood, an organisation he knows very little of, or many intricacies into what it stands for • Nevertheless, this meeting and discussion of rebelling against the party is a very momentous chapter in the novel, sparking much interest, and an eagerness to turn to the next page

6. Totalitarianism In The Chapter Character Setting O’Brien’s luxury apartment boasts a definite presence of totalitarianism in the society. Whilst the many workers of the party inhabit cramped, filthy, ever monitored apartments, his is large, extravagant, and almost private. • The creation of a character such as O’Brien defiantly shows the force of totalitarianism. Although he is considered an enemy to the party by the reader, he still possesses character traits of an inner-party member. He is able to express emotion more openly than the mindless drones that make up the majority of the party and he is made out to be more intelligent than the other party members.

7. Totalitarianism In The Chapter Both of these devices create a strong presence of totalitarianism. O’Brien’s character traits suggest he is better than the average party member, and the setting of is apartment shows that he is obviously considered higher than Winston and Julia. Although such techniques could be used to develop a feeling of hierarchy, the fact that one group in an entire country, that O’Brien is a part of, leads a much more pleasant existence suggests the total control by this group.

8. Conclusion This chapter provides a variety of narrative devices, creating much curiosity, interest, and momentum in the book, that also reinforces the presence of totalitarianism in the society.