1984: Winston's Arrest and Torture 📖

Winston's Arrest and Time in the Cell

• Winston's Arrest: Winston gets arrested and thrown into a cell bustling with political prisoners and common criminals.
• Thinking of O'Brien: He knows that the Brotherhood doesn't help its members, so he doesn't expect any aid.

The Thin Man and Room 101

• Thin Man's Arrival: A gaunt, starving man with intense hatred in his eyes enters the cell.
• Officer's Orders: An officer orders the Thin Man to Room 101.
• Thin Man's Reaction: The man begs desperately, preferring death or a long sentence over Room 101. He is dragged away.

O'Brien's Arrival and Betrayal

• O'Brien Enters: O'Brien appears in the cell; Winston mistakenly believes he has also been arrested.
• Revelation: O'Brien reveals he was arrested long ago; Winston realizes O'Brien's betrayal.
• Guard's Attack: A guard smashes Winston's elbow, causing immense pain.

Torture and Interrogation

• Continuous Torture: Winston undergoes a continuous cycle of torture led by O'Brien.
• Torture Machine: Winston is strapped to a bed connected to a torture machine controlled by O'Brien.
• Freedom and Truth: Reference to Winston's diary: "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four."
  • O'Brien asks how many fingers he is holding: Winston must say five if the Party says so, despite seeing four.
  • Prolonged pain infliction ensues until Winston starts to see five fingers.

Purpose of the Party

• Discussion with O'Brien: The Party seeks pure power, not luxury, wealth, long life, or happiness.
• Party's Immortality: The Party is aiming for perpetual dominance and power.

Submission and Doublethink

• Improved Conditions: Winston is in a better cell with amenities like a pillow and a mattress.
• Writing on Slate: Winston writes: "Freedom is slavery. Two and two make five."
• Understanding Doublethink: Winston feels he has succeeded in becoming insane.

Emotional Resistance

• Dream and Mistake: Winston dreams of Julia and wakes up, shouting her name.
• Resistance: Though he has surrendered intellectually, he has not emotionally.
• Room 101: O'Brien takes Winston to Room 101, saying it contains the 'worst thing in the world.'

Room 101 and Rats

• Worst Fear: For Winston, the worst fear involves rats.
• Torture Preparation: O'Brien attaches a mask-like device meant for Winston's head, where rats will eat his flesh.
• Desperation: In terror, Winston begs for the torture to be done to Julia instead.

Aftermath and Indoctrination

• Cafe Scene: Winston is released and spends his time at a cafe.
• Meeting Julia: An awkward encounter; both admit to betraying each other.
• Final Submission: Winston now only loves Big Brother, finally fully indoctrinated.