The word written on my index card is PRIVACY. This word relates to the opening chapters when Winston has to hide behind his alcove in order to write in his diary so the Thought Police won't catch him. This quote from the book clearly shows how secretive you have to be, "He had committed- would still have committed, even if he had never set pen to paper- the essential crime that contained all others in itself. Thoughtcrime, they called it" (Orwell 19). In Oceania, keeping a diary is forbidden and you will be punished for your actions. Winston has a telescreen in his room that helps Big Brother keep an eye on everyone. Whenever Winston has an idea or thought, he pulls out his diary and writes it down. Looking at this idea on privacy in Oceania, I think it's crazy compared to how we live now. We don't have massive screens in our room watching every move we make. In general, having privacy is usually a good thing because it allows you to have personal space where not everybody knows your business. Now on the other hand, if you do have something to hide, and the government is able to get into your information or emails, than you aren't so well of. Having technology now makes it easier for the government to get our personal information like on facebook or google mail.
I think that this is an important part in the book, because it shows how much control that "big brother" and all of his organization have control over Winston and the community of Oceania. Also, how it might make it easier for the government could get into our business just as easily as explained in 1984.
ReplyDelete