In the glory of opposites, it is possible for one man to be both. O'Brien is a paradoxical figure that adds an interesting twist to the story of Nineteen Eighty-Four. He is one of the key figures in changing the views of our protagonist, Winston.
O'Brien is almost a godly figure to Winston, who comes to love him even though he had betratyed and lied to Winston. Yet O'Brien is more than that; he is also Winston's torturer. Even though one would expect hate for the party and betrayal to mar Winston's opinion about O'Brien, Winston still comes to love him anyways.
When Winston is first brought to the Ministry of Love, he is shocked to see O'Brien in the cell, and askes if the party had gotten him too. O'Brien curiously replied, "They got me a long time ago." This implies that O'Brien once saw as Winston did and believed in two plus two equals four. Even though O'Brien did betray Winston to the thought police, and tortured him, O'Brien believed that he was doing it for Winston's sake. So although in O'Brien's eyes, he is an ally, O'Brien is also the enemy of Winston Smith.
O'Brien, is both good and evil, loved and hated. To consider him would be like considering an oxymoron. In this evil, there is good. In making Winston suffer, he allows Winston salvation. O'Brien is strongly influential in assisting Winston in his directives at Miniluv by being a man of opposites.
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2 comments:
+ great intro & attention getter
+ thorough support and sustained ideas
- avoid wishy-washy phrasing ("almost godly figure" should be "godly figure" or better yet, "godlike figure" ; avoid almost.
++++
Good job with your introduction; really interesting. Once again great ideas which you always support. Good use of vocab. avoid getting pulled into the plot as you sometiomes do.
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