Identity 3 - Revisions to History Flashcards
Part 1
So whilst both authors suggest that revisions…
So whilst both authors suggest that revisions to the past provide individuals with little traction to ground a sense of self, the subjects of Funder’s text were more often able to evade the expectations imposed by the Stasi.
While the Stasi often faced firm opposition from East German citizens, the Party faces almost none. Not even the proles who which Winston one day believes that they may revolt. For Syme, who revels in the ‘technicalities of Newspeak’, the love for Big Brother defines his existence.
Part 2
He calls Winston out for his reliance on..
He calls Winston out for his reliance on Oldspeak due its ’vagueness’ and ’useless shades of meaning’. Despite the inevitability that Syme will be vaporised, his attitude mirrors that of the Inner and Outer Party.
Since ‘orthodoxy is unconsciousness’, Party members are powerless to disagree and rebel.
Part 3
The same is true of Parsons, who, even…
The same is true of Parsons, who, even after being outed by his own daughter, still defends the Party in Room 101. When questioned by Winston, Parsons declares ‘Of course I am guilty!’ chastising himself for his illegal thoughts and expressing his gratitude that they apprehended him.
He has been conditioned so thoroughly that he believes they will give him a ‘fair hearing’.
Part 4
Even, in the face of impending doom, he maintains …
Even, in the face of impending doom, he maintains that the Party would not arrest an ‘innocent man’ as they are merely doing their subjects a service by imprisoning them for thoughtcrime.
It is in this way that Orwell builds up the premise of a society where complicity is applauded and, where ‘ignorance is strength’.
Syme and Parsons are proof of this irony that, despite being united by circumstance they are both blind to their own condition which ensures that so long as the people remain unaware of ‘external reality’, the Party will reign supreme.
