In a way she realised that she herself was doomed, that sooner or later the Thought Police would catch her and kill her, but with another part of her mind she believed that it was somehow possible to construct a secret world in which you could live as you chose. All you needed was luck and cunning and boldness. She did not understand that there was no such thing as happiness, that the only victory lay in the far future, long after you were dead, that from the moment of declaring war on the Party it was better to think of yourself as a corpse.
Part 2, Chapter 3, 1984 (published 1949).
Well, as we have ten chapters to devour this week, I guess that it is necessary for me shove a couple of chapters down in one bite. So today is Chapters 1-3 from Part 2. Even if you are not up to where we are, post anyway and share your thoughts as you go along. I don't care if you are behind - it doesn't matter. I'M RUNNING BEHIND FOR PETE'S SAKE! Obviously not a very comfortable position to be in on my part!
I am currently enjoying the new twist of the story-line. Sorry to those I roped into this who are suddenly discovering they've landed in alien territory, but I don't think that it's going to be like this for all that long. I just can't help but think that something will suddenly happen and then we'll all be a mess, sitting around in inconsolable suspense! Won't that be fun?
My English teacher said this week that the corps (WWII) were just as good as corpses, (but undoubtedly in better phraseology!) And here it comes up again. Is there a single one among us who would not be doomed if crime consisted of as little as thinking unorthodoxly (differently to everyone else)? I'm a goner. Seriously, though. Just allowing yourself to think about people or things and not agree with them, or even dislike them, and you've got a deathwish. It's very disconcerting.
I wish you were running my book club, I love how you really delve into a book and ask interesting questions!
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