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Rereading Nineteen Eighty Four – Part III Chap. 6 (1)

Winston Smith sat alone in The Chestnut Tree, his now usual hang out, drinking.  Every so often he looked at the face on the huge poster and read the caption;    BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.

The waiter came, filled his glass up with Victory Gin, with its speciality of saccharine flavoured with cloves.

Winston listened to the telescreen anxiously.  Although only music was playing there was a possibility of a special bulletin from the Ministry of Peace.

The news from the African front was disquieting.  Winston had been worrying about it all day.

 A Eurasian army (Oceania was at war with Eurasia: Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia) was moving southward at terrifying speed.

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What is so shocking about this early bit of the Sixth and last chapter of Nineteen Eighty Four is that Winston has become so changed.  That he listens as if the reports matter, when before, he knew it was rubbish.

It as if torture had recreated him.

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Written by jaylar

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