1984-reading Log #2

Moyer Period C English World Culture

Eamon Barkhordarian 10/25/09

Reading Log #2-Questions " You are prepared to commit murder ? " " Yes. " " To commit acts of sabotage which may cause the death of hundreds of innocent people ? " " Yes. " " If, for example, it would somehow serve our interests to throw sulphuric acid in a child's face - are you prepared to do that ? " " Yes. " " You are prepared, the two of you, to separate and never see one another again ? " " No ! " broke in Julia. (142) The reader is brought relief when it is finally learned that O’Brien has been a part of the Brotherhood all along. Throughout the book, Winston and the reader were a bit skeptic about O’Brien’s position in the party but those worriers were set aside after Winston and Julia were invited to O’Brien’s home. After Winston says he is willing to join the Brotherhood, O’Brien asks Winston the following questions found in the quote above as a test to see how willing Winston really is. As one might have noticed, some intense and very disturbing questions were asked to Winston. These inquiries aimed at Winston brought questions to my mind about the Brotherhood’s intentions and made me a little skeptic about their purpose. The act of pouring sulphuric acid on a child’s face is a disgusting act. I do not seem to find a connection between fighting the party and pouring acid on a child’s face. On top of that, I don’t believe it is right for hundreds of innocent people to die in order for the party to fall. Although I do believe sometimes sacrifices need to be made to achieve a goal, it must be the sacrifices of those that attempt to reach that goal, not those of innocent people. These thoughts have led me to think of the possibility that the Brotherhood is just as rotten and corrupt as the party they are trying to fight, and in the end, no one is right. In summary, it might just be a struggle for power and not a sense of justice.