"1984": pg 1-37

Well, I'll just start by saying this was a very disturbing, yet interesting few chapters to start the book. I, personally, would probably be put to death in this environment because of it's intolerance of individualism and it's obsession with hate.

One of the most disturbing items I found was how the children were. Their parents feared them and the children wanted to kill and murder and even turned in their parents to the Thought Police...it's like the government has taken away childhood innocence entirely and murdered almost all morality. It preaches hatred and even has a Two-Minute Hate session for Winston and his "comrades". The society goes through a daily brainwash in a sense to keep the people in line.

I thought the "Big Brother" on the poster somewhat reminded me of Hitler from it's vague description just because of the mustache and how the Big Brother has convinced--or terrified moreover--a whole society into believing that his way of thinking is right.

But amidst all of this dismal, foggy, and dark time, there is somewhat of a ray of hope, which I'd say is Goldstein...even though most of the people hate him and think of individuals as foolish to follow him. [Which kind of reminds me of a verse in the Bible...(I can't recall it exactly, so don't quote me)...but I believe it said something about how the world (usually a symbol for evil) will see you as strange and foolish for following God (being moral, I guess you could say).]

I think Goldstein was named that for a reason..."Emmanuel Goldstein" ....Emmanuel, which means "God with us" and Goldstein...the gold probably standing for a light in this time of darkness. Perhaps he's supposed to be a Christ figure, a sign of goodness and hope in this time of gloom.

One more note to add: Of all the violent and debased actions the people were taking, I found it interesting how perky, happy, and encouraging the excercise "instructor" was over the telescreen. It kind of makes you think of those actual excercise videos from the 80's (even though the book was written before that time). She almost seemed...I dunno...human...I guess it kind of reminds you how naive these people are in following what they're following and they are not necessarily evil...but just poor, deceived people who need help and who need someone to save them from the mess they are in...