Identity 2- Rewriting History

Question 1

Part 1

Both Orwell and Funder however suggest that the..

Answer 1

Both Orwell and Funder however suggest that the act of rewriting the past to redefine the present does not provide the consistency necessary for individual identities to thrive.

In 1984, it is the Party who wields the power to depict history as they see fit. Winston’s remark that he exists on the same evidence as ‘Charlemagne’ renders him ‘authentically’ real, at least in a world where lies become truth.

It is in this way that the Party brings whatever and whomever into existence in order to reimagine the idea of ‘fact’ itself.

Question 2

Part 2

For those living beneath the glare of Big Brother, this inconsistency…

Answer 2

For those living beneath the glare of Big Brother, this inconsistency proves particularly difficult, as inquiries about the past are redundant due to the Ministry of Truth.

It is in this way, that the Party are able to leave little ti no traction with which individuals may make their own way forward. To a lesser extreme, the Stasi sought to end individualism through recognising only their subjective truth.

The suspicious circumstance surrounding Charlie’s death is a constant reminder for Miriam that the Stasi ‘want to pretend it all didn’t happen’.

Question 3

Part 3

The extent of their falsification is revealed as they ..

Answer 3

The extent of their falsification is revealed as they could not ‘get their story straight’ due to the fact that his body showed no evidence of ‘strangulation marks’.

It is in this way, then, that Miriam realises the ’existence of external reality’ is a fallacy in a similar way to Winston comes to this realisation. Miriam is, at least, able to trust in what she knows to be true irrespective of whether it is confirmed or denied by the Stasi.

Winston, on the other hand, cannot enjoy the same gratification. He cannot often distinguish between what he genuinely remembers of his past from the Party’s modifications of it.