Knowledge Builders

how does obrien break winston

by Ellie Medhurst Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

After Winston is arrested, O’Brien orders a guard to beat Winston’s elbow with a truncheon. So begins Winston’s torture. At O’Brien’s command, Winston is strapped onto a machine that is designed to stretch backbones until they break. O’Brien physically tortures Winston, all the while re-indoctrinating him with the Party’s tenets.

After Winston is arrested, O'Brien orders a guard to beat Winston's elbow with a truncheon. So begins Winston's torture. At O'Brien's command, Winston is strapped onto a machine that is designed to stretch backbones until they break.

Full Answer

How does Winston meet O'Brien in 1984?

Winston Meets O'Brien. In 1984, Book 2, Chapter 6, Winston is walking down the familiar long hallway in the Ministry of Truth when he is approached by O'Brien from behind. This happens right about where Julia fell so she could give Winston her note saying she loves him. Winston is startled and caught off guard by O'Brien's approach,...

Why was O'Brien able to understand Winston's thoughts so well?

Wenxi wrote: "O'Brien appeared in Winston's dream, "assisted" in Winston's rebellion. He's a torturer, a teacher, a friend, a enemy. However, why was O'Brien able to comprehend Winston's thoughts and feelings so..." Because he's bait.

How many times does O'Brien shock Winston?

Winston says there are four. O'Brien shocks Winston, again and again, then provides drugs that ease the pain. Winston comes to love and depend on O'Brien, because O'Brien alone can ease the pain. O'Brien informs Winston that his goal is not to extract a confession or punish him, but to cure him—to convert his thinking to that of the Party.

What happens to Winston after O'Brien torture him?

But now he is kept alive, tortured constantly, until he will admit to doing things he did not do, to things that are not real, just to make the pain go away. O'Brien turns a dial and Winston receives a painful electric shock. The needle is at 40; O'Brien tells him he will increase the amount of electricity if Winston lies to him.

image

How did O'Brien betray Winston?

During the process of this punishment, and perhaps as an act of psychological torture, O'Brien admits that he pretended to be connected to the Brotherhood merely to trap Winston in an act of open disloyalty to the Party.

How does O'Brien punish Winston?

O'Brien seems to have been a rebel like Winston at one point—when Winston asks if he too has been taken prisoner, O'Brien replies, “They got me a long time ago.” O'Brien adds insult to Winston's imprisonment by claiming that Winston knew all along that he was affiliated with the Party—and Winston knows he is right.

How does O'Brien manipulate Winston?

A powerful and cunning man, O'Brien tricks Winston into believing that he is a member of the anti-Party Brotherhood. He is completely duplicitous. O'Brien approaches and inducts Winston into the group, but does that in order to set Winston up for the ultimate crime.

How does O'Brien know that Winston is finally cured?

How does O'Brien know that Winston is finally "cured"? Winston professes his love for O'Brien. Winston promises to always love Big Brother.

Who betrayed Winston in 1984?

Winston's horrors and fear are brought to light in these chapters: He is betrayed by Julia and O'Brien, he is tortured and ruined, and every hope he had for a future without the Party is destroyed.

Why did O'Brien betray Winston in 1984?

This statement reveals that O'Brien thinks that Winston has something special. O'Brien wants to take more time so that he can change Winston to the core of his existence. Perhaps this is the reason why he tortures Winston so that he can change his beliefs completely.

What does O'Brien symbolize to Winston?

O'Brien seems to be a co-conspirator and friend to Winston Smith until the third part of the novel, when he is revealed as a zealous Party leader who had been closely watching Winston for years. O'Brien represents the Party and all of its contradictions and cruelty.

What does O'Brien give Winston?

O'Brien gives them wine, and Winston proposes that they drink to the past. Julia leaves, and O'Brien promises to give Winston a copy of Goldstein's book, the manifesto of the revolution.

Why did O'Brien appear in Winston's jail cell?

Later, though, he appears at Winston’s jail cell to abuse and brainwash him in the name of the Party. During the process of this punishment, and perhaps as an act of psychological torture, O’Brien admits that he pretended to be connected to the Brotherhood merely to trap Winston in an act of open disloyalty to the Party.

Does O'Brien sympathize with Winston?

One can also argue that O’Brien pretends to sympathize with Winston merely to gain his trust. Similarly, one cannot be sure whether the Brotherhood actually exists, or if it is simply a Party invention used to trap the disloyal and give the rest of the populace a common enemy.

What does O'Brien tell Winston?

Sorry, I sort of assumed they had a device like that because O'Brien tells Winston that he has ways to sense what he's thinking. When Winston thinks about rebellion, O'Brien show up immediately and tells him he could detect he was thinking about decieving him.

What is the relationship between Winston and O'Brien?

The relationship between Winston and O'Brien is one of the darkest and most intriguing in the whole novel. Although O'Brien is endlessly cruel to Winston, Winston never has any emotions but awe, inferiority, and respect towards him.

Why does Winston understand Winston?

He understands Winston because Winston seeks to know why and how things became this way, and even sympathizes with this desire, though he is ultimately determined to destroy it. It is in satisfying Winston's curiosity that he accomplishes this.

Why did Simon write "I took it to mean that O'Brien could'read Winston's thoughts'?

Ramses wrote: "Simon wrote: "I took it to mean that O'Brien could 'read Winston's thoughts' because he had done this all before, many times. Room 101 had been in operation before Winston ever heard of it and pres..."

Why did O'Brien mention the golden country?

O'Brien references this document during the interrogation, and he knew about it because it was sent deliberately . It shouldn't even exist, let alone show up on someone's desk. 3. The "golden country" that appears in Winston's dreams exists in reality just as he dreamed it, and is where he rendezvoused with Julia.

Did O'Brien have access to Winston's diary?

Room 101 had been in operation before Winston ever heard of it and presumably O'Brien...". Additionally, O'Brien had access to Winston's diary, and recordings of conversations he had with Julia (remember, their "secret" bedroom was tapped). O'Brien at one point says that Winston's and his minds are similar.

Who said "this discussion is getting very serious so"?

Arthur wrote: "so, this discussion is getting very serious so................................................"

What does O'Brien tell Winston?

O'Brien turns a dial and Winston receives a painful electric shock. The needle is at 40; O'Brien tells him he will increase the amount of electricity if Winston lies to him. O'Brien asks Winston if the past exists. Winston replies that it does. O'Brien responds that the past exists in the mind of the Party only.

Why does O'Brien say Winston does not exist?

O'Brien says that Winston does not exist because he is "training" Winston to see and think as the Party wants him too, to, basically, merge with the Party and lose his individual identity to that collective identity.

What does Winston begin to do?

Winston begins to understand and practice doublethink, to refuse to believe what he knows is true, and to truly believe what he knows is not. O'Brien's torture-driven training begins to take hold over Winston. Winston is not pretending that he sees the five fingers.

How long was Winston in prison?

Winston senses that O'Brien is directing the beatings, and though he can't be certain, that he has been imprisoned for seven years. Earlier in the novel Winston imagined himself dying in defiance of the Party.

Why does Winston love O'Brien?

O'Brien shocks Winston, again and again, then provides drugs that ease the pain. Winston comes to love and depend on O'Brien, because O'Brien alone can ease the pain. O'Brien informs Winston that his goal is not to extract a confession or punish him, but to cure him—to convert his thinking to that of the Party.

What does O'Brien say about the past?

O'Brien responds that the past exists in the mind of the Party only. To become sane, Winston must see through the eyes of the Party. Winston and Julia had thought that the Party could trick people about history, but could not actually invade or change people's thoughts.

Does Winston exist in Room 101?

O'Brien responds that Winston does not exist. Winston asks if the Brotherhood exists and O'Brien answers that he will never learn the answer to that question. Finally, Winston asks what is in Room 101. O'Brien says that everyone knows what is in Room 101.

How does O'Brien talk to Winston?

O'Brien walks beside Winston and adjusts his speed so they walk in stride. He then touches Winston's arm in a friendly manner and begins talking to Winston. Winston recognizes O'Brien's behavior as unlike other Inner Party members, which further calms him. O'Brien tells Winston that he knows about his interest in Newspeak and how Winston uses it in his job in such a beautiful way. O'Brien describes his work as elegant, and Winston responds with modesty.

What chapter does Winston meet O'Brien?

In Chapter 6, Winston meets O'Brien, and is thrilled that O'Brien invites him to his house. Updated: 06/07/2021.

What edition of Newspeak does Winston ask O'Brien?

O'Brien then asks Winston if he has seen the 10th edition of the Newspeak dictionary. Winston wonders where this conversation is going, but by now he is at ease with O'Brien, and goes along with it. He replies that the 10th edition is not yet available.

Why is Winston thrilled to have this?

Winston is thrilled to have this. First, it confirms that a conspiracy against the Party does exist. Second, he is thrilled because it would have been impossible otherwise to find where O'Brien lives because there are no directories.

What does O'Brien tell Winston about his interest in Newspeak?

He then touches Winston's arm in a friendly manner and begins talking to Winston. Winston recognizes O'Brien's behavior as unlike other Inner Party members, which further calms him. O'Brien tells Winston that he knows about his interest in Newspeak, and how Winston uses it in in his job in such a beautiful way.

Why does Winston realize that the conversation was an act by O'Brien so he could give Winston his address?

It would have been impossible for Winston to find him otherwise. There are no directories in existence, and no one would give him the address of an Inner Party member. This confirms to Winston that a conspiracy against the Party does exist.

Why did O'Brien give Winston his address?

However, as O'Brien gave his address to Winston for a work-related matter, and he is a member of the Inner Party, there is no need to hide it. Winston realizes that the conversation was an act by O'Brien so he could give Winston his address. O'Brien was telling Winston where he could be found if needed.

What chapter does O'Brien tell Winston that he cannot move?

Summary: Chapter V. In Room 101, O’Brien straps Winston to a chair, then clamps Winston’s head so that he cannot move. He tells Winston that Room 101 contains “the worst thing in the world.”. He reminds Winston of his worst nightmare—the dream of being in a dark place with something terrible on the other side of the wall—and informs him ...

What does Winston tell O'Brien about Big Brother?

When O’Brien arrives with the guards, Winston tells him that he hates Big Brother. O’Brien replies that obeying Big Brother is not sufficient—Winston must learn to love him. O’Brien then instructs the guards to take Winston to Room 101.

What is Winston's prisoner of his own body?

As Winston notes earlier in the novel, he is a prisoner of his own nervous system. Turning against Julia is an instinctive lunge for self-preservation. Rather than the rats themselves, it is the awareness, foisted upon him by the Party, that he is a prisoner of his own body that ultimately breaks Winston.

Where does Winston sit in Chapter VI?

Summary: Chapter VI. Winston, now free, sits at the Chestnut Tree Café, where dismissed Party members go to drink. He enjoys a glass of Victory Gin and watches the telescreen. He accepts everything the Party says and does. Without acknowledging it to himself, he can still smell the rats.

What does Winston dream about?

After some time, Winston is transferred to a more comfortable room and the torture eases. He dreams contently of Julia, his mother, and O’Brien in the Golden Country. He gains weight and is allowed to write on a small slate. He comes to the conclusion that he was foolish to oppose the Party alone, and tries to make himself believe in Party slogans.

Why is Winston safe in his thoughts?

Up to that point, Winston took solace in the fact that he is safe in his thoughts because the government cannot possibly read them. He can be as subversive and as free as he wants in his mind. This whole scene destroys Winston's last refuge.

Is "I am a bot" an automatic action?

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

image

1.In 1984 what does O'Brien know about Winston that …

Url:https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/1-what-does-obrien-know-about-winston-that-allows-131753

25 hours ago The two pieces of information that O'Brien uses to finally break Winston are what Winston fears most and loves most. Winston fears, above all, rats. And he loves, above all, Julia.

2.1984: O’Brien | SparkNotes

Url:https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/character/obrien/

22 hours ago  · Answered by Aslan 10 months ago 10/7/2021 9:22 AM. O'Brien is a prominent Inner Party member with whom Winston feels a strange bond. Winston feels that even if …

3.Who is O’Brien? How does Winston regard him?

Url:https://www.gradesaver.com/1984/q-and-a/who-is-obrien-how-does-winston-regard-him-439485

17 hours ago  · He's a torturer, a teacher, a friend, a enemy. However, why was O'Brien able to comprehend Winston's thoughts and feelings so..." Because he's bait. He hooks Winston by …

4.1984 - O'Brien's relationship with Winston/ Why O'Brien …

Url:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1394367-o-brien-s-relationship-with-winston-why-o-brien-knows-everything

9 hours ago  · Even though O’Brien betrayed Winston and turned him into the Ministry of Love, Winston still considered him a friend. Why does O’Brien call Winston the ” last man ” in 1984? …

5.1984 Book 3, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis | LitCharts

Url:https://www.litcharts.com/lit/1984/book-3-chapter-2

30 hours ago O'Brien says she betrayed Winston and was quickly converted through torture. Next Winston asks if Big Brother exists in the same way that he, Winston, does. O'Brien responds that …

6.1984: Book 2 Chapter 6 - Summary - Video & Lesson …

Url:https://study.com/academy/lesson/1984-book-2-chapter-6-summary.html

14 hours ago  · Winston Meets O'Brien. In 1984, Book 2, Chapter 6, Winston is walking down the familiar long hallway in the Ministry of Truth when he is approached by O'Brien from …

7.1984 Book Three: Chapters IV–VI Summary & Analysis

Url:https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/section10/

17 hours ago He says that when he presses a lever, the door will slide up and the rats will leap onto Winston’s face and eat it. With the writhing, starving rats just inches away, Winston cracks. He screams …

8.How does O'Brien know what Winston is thinking in …

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/3qfbld/how_does_obrien_know_what_winston_is_thinking_in/

31 hours ago O'Brien: O'Brien checked his step as though Winston had uttered the thought aloud. "You are thinking" he said, "that since we intend to destroy you utterly, so that nothing that you say or do …

9.How does O'Brien get into Winston's dreams? : 1984

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/1984/comments/h05w1q/how_does_obrien_get_into_winstons_dreams/

5 hours ago O’Brien also referees to this dream Winston has later in Winstons your true (says something to the extent of “I told you we would meet in the place where there is no darkness”). So obviously …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9