1984 pg. 274-298 "It was like swimming against a current that swept you backwards however hard you struggled, and then suddenly deciding to turn round and go with the current instead of opposing it" (278).



I chose this quote because I think it finally shows Winston's true side. All throughout the book I never really thought Winston had totally bought into going against the Party and I thought he could have flip-flopped at any moment. Winston finally did here and I am not so surprised because he is supposed to be the example of a common man in Oceania. A common man naturally goes with the flow, and in this case the flow is going with the Party, so going against the Party would be rather difficult for an ordinary person. I think that here, Winston just stopped trying to be the hero that would help overthrow the Party.

torpid- having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling
capitulate- to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms.