1984: A Summary

      Winston Smith is trapped in the dysfunctional utopian society of Oceania.  He is unhappy with the Party’s oppression and the way it limits the expression of the individual.  Every day, Winston witnesses the Party’s lies; his job at the Ministry of Truth is to alter history so that it fits perfectly with everything the government says.  He illegally buys a journal in which to write his rebellious and criminal thoughts.  He fixates on a Party member named O’Brien, who he believes to be a member of the Brotherhood, and becomes Winston’s personal Big Brother.  Winston becomes infatuated with a beautiful girl named Julia but he fears that she is a spy for Big Brother, for even children spy for Big Brother.  Julia then slips Winston a note saying “I love you” and they begin their illegal affair.  The affair continues in a rented room about the bookshop where Winston bought the diary and his feelings toward the Party grow more bitter.  He finally receives a message that O’Brien wants to see him.  Winston and Julia go to O’Brien’s apartment where he confesses that he is a member of the Brotherhood.  He makes Winston and Julia members as well and gives them a book to read.  Soldiers then burst into the room above the store because the store owner has been a member of the Thought Police all along.  They are then taken to the Ministry of Love.  It is revealed that O’Brien is just a Party spy and not one of the Brotherhood.  He spends months torturing Winston and finally takes him to Room 101 where he has to confront his worst fear.  O’Brien straps a rat cage to Winston’s head and Winston finally gives in.  He begs O’Brien to do it to Julia instead.  That separation was what O’Brien wanted so Winston was released.  He then found himself brainwashed and without any feelings for Julia.