Book 1 Chapter 1

Quotes:

1. "WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH" (pg. 4)
2.  "An unmistakable message had passed. It was as though their two minds had opened and the thoughts were flowing from one into the other through their eyes. 'I am with you', O'brien seemed be saying to him. 'I know precisely what you are feeling... I am on your side'". (pg. 17)
3.  " 'Why can't we go and see the hanging' roared the boy in his huge voice" (pg. 23)

My Reaction:

Quote #1
                It actually took me a while to get hooked to this book. The first couple pages of the book were weird, and my response was literally, "ok... no comment", in a bored manner. But when I got to page 4, and got introduced to this propaganda, I thought that the book was beginning to get interesting. I always imagined myself being a leader or any other form authority (governor, police, legislator, etc.), and I always believed that in order to maintain such a position stable, Quote #1 must always be advocated and implemented. At the same time, I also imagined myself being an ordinary citizens: and ironically, if I sensed anything related to this quote expected from me, I would inevitably revolt. I don't really have an argument for this quote, it's just something that stood out and grabbed my attention which lead me to be a lot more interested in this book.

Quote #2
                In all honesty, this quote stood out to me because I can relate to it on some levels. Reading it made me reflect on some of my past experiences of when majority group of people believed in B.S and I felt alone in holding an opposing perspective. In such instances, just like the protagonist in 1948, I would also be extremely observant in other people in hope of finding someone who shared similar opinions. Some of even the smallest signs by other people, would cause me to react the same way Winston did: force myself to to believe that I found a comrade.

Quote #3
                This was a quote by is Mrs. Parson very young son, who wanted to participate in the traditional once a month activity of watching people get hanged. Apparently, children in those areas usually just go and normally engage in these activities, and their parents provide them permission without any form resistance. I was very shocked when I read this passage, the lack of even the smallest morality but rather encouragement of inhumane activities actually got me a little upset. This passage just basically showed me something I wasn't prepared for, and it basically felt like the climax of the book.