1984 Mini OralBy: Tara Bomar 22

Why doesn’t Winston stand at attention while “Oceania, ‘tis for thee” is played?

Page 26

“Quick Answer” Winston doesn’t stand at attention

because he disapproves of the party’s mindless killing. He does not feel respect for them, and so he does not salute.

Context Early in the story, Winston was home from work after a two

minutes hate session at the ministry of truth. He had been disturbed by his neighbors children because of their extreme desire to prosecute their own parents. He listened as the telescreen chimed, it brought news of the war he didn’t wish to hear. They announced that they had killed many enemies and captured even more as prisoners. Winston, along with all the other citizens of Oceania, was supposed to salute as the song was played, but he did not. He then wondered to whom he was writing the diary he had began, but decided it was for the future since the past was gone. He explained what it was like to be a real human with heritage and know truth.

Diction I chose the word Invisible. Winston does not stand to attention

because he truly believes he is invisible to the party. He is convinced they will catch him, but he is certain that for now he is safe within his diary and his thoughts. As we know, Winston had been far from invisible for years.

Significance to Text

This connects to when he finally accepts the title of rebel after joining Goldstein’s imaginary forces on page 167 (in my version). At both these moments, he directly disobeys the party.

Significance to Text

Also, my question connects to when he is finally caught and captured on page 224. at this point he had reached the inevitable, the day he had been waiting for but not looking forward to since he began his organized thought crime.

Significance to Text At this point in the story he has accepted

his fate, but he has not fully accepted his level of rebellion to the party. He knew he did not like them or big brother but he was only beginning to realize that he was different because he could hold on to his thoughts and morals.

Literary Device: Setting Orwell uses the secret spot in

Winston’s flat along with the secret garden, the secret shop attic, and the secret abandoned warehouse to create what Winston thinks are “safe places”. These different secure settings allow Julia and Winston to spill all the secrets the party needed to capture and torture them.

Theme & Author’s Purpose Theme: if you think something is

wrong, you should openly oppose it instead of trying to hide it.

Authors Purpose: Orwell included this in the story to accentuate Winston’s rebellion.