1984 Dialectical Jornal: Part Two

The quote I chose was "the essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labor. War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise make the masses too comfortable and hence, in the long run, too intelligent. Even when weapons of war are not actually destroyed, their manufacture is still a convenient way of expending labor power without producing anything that can be consumed.
This quote is important because it explains the slogan "war is peace." The war is really for power because all three super continents know they will never win because they are so evenly matched. The war is just a way to get rid of excess products and labor work. This way the people don't get "too comfortable" which prevents them from becoming more intelligent. The party fears intelligence because there whole government is based off of keeping the people ignorant. If the people become intelligent about what is really going on in there government and realize that the masses could easily overthrow big brother then the people would revolt. Intelligence is a threat to their society.
This relates to the war in Iraq. The US originally intervened because the said they were searching for "weapons of mass destruction." No such weapons were found, but our troops are still in Iraq. Now they are saying that they are there to try to fix the government. I think the US government is trying to keep us ignorant about the situation in Iraq so we don't try to stop what they are doing there.

1984 Dialectical Journal

The first quote I chose was "The children, on the other hand, were systematically turned against their parents and taught to spy on them and report their deviations. The family had become in effect an extension of the Thought Police. It was a device by means of which everyone could be surrounded night and day by informers who knew him intimately." This is an example of oppression. In 1984, their right of thought, speech, and privacy is taken away. They are being watched at almost all times. This is similar to when the government wire taps onto people's phones at anytime they want to see if they are a threat to the government or people in general.
The second quote I chose was "The preparations for Hate Week were in full swing, and the staff of all the Ministries were working overtime. Processions, meetings, military parades, lectures, waxwork displays, film shows, telescreen programs all had to be organized; stands had to be erected, effigies built, slogans coined, songs written, rumors circulated, photographs faked." This is an example of propaganda and brainwashing. The government in 1984 is advertising and promoting negative thoughts towards Goldstein when he is really trying to help the common folk. The government is trying to make everyone believe what benefits them. This relates to the real world such as advertising and commercials. Commercials and advertising try to get you to believe in something so you will support them or buy their products. They tell you things to et you to believe what would benefit the person or company making the advertisement.

Interview Reflection

Dear Jin Jingzhi,
My reaction to your interview was shock. I was appalled at the way you were treated. This seemed like a horrible time to live in. It must have been life-changing to get the chance to partake in the national affairs of the People's Congress. It must have been a big advance for you. It is depressing what the power cost you, though. Having your house searched for several days must have been terrible.
I'm sorry for what happened to your husband during the Cultural Revolution. I can't believe the Party would call your husband an anti-revolutionist with no real evidence. It must have been pure agony to be away from your husband for so long and to be worried all the time of if your husband was still alive. I'm sorry you had to watch your in so much pain where you felt helpless because you couldn't do anything about it. I'm glad you were reunited with your husband once he was released from prison. It must have been devastating to realize you were at the bottom of the social class and targeted by many. I'm glad you gained higher stature in society, but I am sorry for all that you have lost.
3 questions: How did you feel when you first heard the rumors that your husband was an anti-revolutionary? What was it like seeing your husband in prison? Did you want to change how the world was during the Cultural Revolution?