I like this quote because it's just so dreadfully realistic. It just discounts any belief in the power of heroism. Perhaps Winston is just a coward because the sight of the 110-pound brunette just scared the willies out of him to the point where he was unable to do anything. Perhaps he just lacks courage. Or maybe when it comes down to it, nobody really steps up and does the heroic thing when push comes to shove. That's certainly the general premise behind 1984. The Party will forever be in power because whenever a person could have the opportunity to stand up and be a hero, cowardice sets in, because going against the party is insanity and will be greeted with death. Really, all that's needed to end the cycle is for one person to stand up and be a leader within the proles. However, this will never ever ever happen. Orwell is essentially saying that nobody will put their neck out there because 1) Improvements are not guaranteed, 2) Death is a certainty, and 3) You will be deemed a lunatic by everyone else.
I, for one, think that what the people of 1984 really need is not a hero, but a legend.
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.
Ten Bonus Points to whoever can list all of this man's titles in a comment below
blah blah blah thoooought aboout the gaaaame....
ReplyDeletemost home runs in a season (73), most home runs in a career 762 and counting), highest slugging percentage, most intentional walks, record 12 home run titles, 13 slugging titles, six R.B.I. titles, solo batting title (.378 in 1934; placed in the top five hitters in terms of batting average eight times, including a career high of .393 in 1923, won 18, 23 and 24 games as a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1915, 1916 and 1917, and won the American League E.R.A. title in '16, set his first home run title in 1918, another year the Sox won the World Series, as a part time position player and part-time pitcher, notching up 11 homers and nine wins. George Herman Ruth likely will remain the sole player in major league baseball history to win batting, home run, R.B.I., slugging *and* E.R.A. titles, plus eat a dozen hot dogs and drink the better part of a keg of bootleg "needle" beer before suiting up for a game.
See now, that was not a good use of my time. I want those points. Also, I made a Sandlot reference as well. Go see. =D?
Oh, no, I was just referring to his Sandlot titles :D? Those things that they all call him. I like The Sandlot =}
ReplyDeleteohhhhh maaaaaan.
ReplyDelete*headdesk*
I'll be right back.
I don't know if I can even count it anymore. It may have lost its hilarity and wit.
ReplyDeleteBabe Ruth
ReplyDeleteThe Great Bambino
The Sultan of Swat
The Titan of Terror
The Colossus of Clout!
The King of Crash
The Babe
Like that?
But soooooo many pointsandefforts! <=[~~~~~~~~~~~~ ?
ReplyDelete