1984: Chapter 3 & 4 Part 3

 

1. How does O’Brien’s explanation of power and control in Chapter 3 reflect the Party’s ultimate goals?

Consider O’Brien’s statement: “Power is not a means; it is an end.” How does this philosophy justify the Party’s use of torture, manipulation, and the destruction of objective truth? Does this view of power make the Party’s rule sustainable, or does it contain inherent flaws?

1. In Chapter 4, Winston is forced to confront the idea that reality exists only in the mind of the Party. How does his resistance (or eventual acceptance) of this idea demonstrate the effectiveness of the Party’s psychological control?

Winston initially clings to the belief in objective truth (e.g., “2 + 2 = 4”), but O’Brien insists that the Party controls reality. Does Winston’s struggle suggest that total mental domination is possible, or does his internal conflict reveal a limit to the Party’s power?