Monday, April 14, 2008

3rd Hour Discussion ? for 167-224

The very first question in today's discussion was about trust: who is or isn't trustworthy, is there anyone that you can really trust, etc. Our questions for you are...

Do you think that there are any characters in 1984 who are entirely trustworthy?

Are there any major characters ("major" meaning have they been named/mentioned multiple times) that are not playing two sides? Does this make everybody traitors?

How can you connect this to your life or to the world today?

8 comments:

lisal said...

So far in 1984, I don't think any of the characters are completely trustworthy. Certain people like Julia and O'Brien may even be playing double roles like Mr. Charrington. The only “trustworthy” idea is the structure of the party itself. I think this tells a lot about why people so willingly give up their personal uniqueness to abide by the party. Wholly and selflessly serving just as you are required contains the best guarantee of staying alive in 1984’s society. The government creates such a limited way of life, steadfastness to the party becomes a citizen’s only stronghold.

mollyd said...

I don't believe that there are any characters in 1984 that are completely trustworthy. Most of them are just in it for themselves or the party. The Party has taken control of people, so they do not even know what they are doing. They just do what is necessary. If that means lying and being on two sides, then that is what the characters are willing to do.

evand said...

No one in 1984 has proven to be completely trustworthy so far. If the characters have inflinching trust and support for the party, they are ensured survival.

raelangas said...

I think that no characters in 1984 are completely trustworthy, but who is? In 1984 you can never be sure who you can trust because you are constantly being watched and listened to. Like 1984 there will always be someone that you can not trust. In real life I do not think you can completely trust anyone. I mean, has you best friend never gossiped about you, or have parents promised to do something and not follow through?

Caryn S said...

Yes, I agree with what everyone said. I also want to bring up the connection between this discussion and the earlier one about youth and using children for a cause. I think that the concept of trust is human instinct; children naturally trust everyone and everything. The society we live in, though, getting closer and closer to that of 1984, makes kids trust less and less as they get older, though. It's sad, really. The society is what makes the trust be drained out of youth, and I see it every day. I know that, personally, I don't fully trust anyone with all of my secrets.

CatherineD said...

I don't think that there are any characters who are completely trustworthy. In the real world no one is perfect so everyone slips or lies, so no one is trustworthy. I don't think that anyone is a traitor. They may be on a different side but that just means they have different views. Everyone in the world is just fighting to survive so that may mean that some bridges are crossed that you didn't want to cross. Deep down everyone is a good person at heart.

KelseyL said...

I agree with everyone else in saying that no characters in 1984 are completely trustworthy. Every character in the book seems to be playing two sides no matter how you look at it. This can be connected to life and the world today because not everyone is completely and totally trustworthy. Everyone has told a lie, no tells the truth 100 percent of the time, everyone is leading a double life. I'm sure that there are people out there that would say that they have never ONCE told a lie, but that’s a lie. Also people in the world live double lives. When I am with my friends I am completely different then when I am around my parents or adults. Some people will act like they do something just to get the approval even when they don't do that something. I don't think that this means you can't trust these people, it just means that they are not completely trustworthy. I mean hey we are all humans, we all make mistakes, and we all lie every once in a while.

erin! said...

That was my question!

Anyways, yes, I don't think you can trust anyone. I felt like Mr. Charrington was trustworthy, but then there was a telescreen in the room, and he was a member of the thought police. Trust is a very valuable thing, but I don't think people realize how valuable. Humans, I think, tend to trust people to much. It's not as bad as trusting people in 1984, but you never know who could tell your secrets if something happens.