Title: Two Minutes Hate 1984 - eNotes.com
Headings: Two Minutes Hate 1984
1984
Two Minutes Hate 1984
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Content: The main purpose of the Two Minutes Hate in the story is to underscore the Party's reliance on propaganda and illustrate the government's means of manipulating people's emotions. The intense ritual serves multiple functions and is meant as a therapeutic group exercise. This activity allows Party members to direct their suppressed, negative emotions towards an outside figure or organization, using Emmanuel Goldstein as the primary scapegoat. For example, Winston Smith cannot help but vent his rage and negative feelings he experiences on an everyday basis toward the incendiary images on the telescreen. His violent passions against the Party are redirected toward an outside image. The Two Minutes Hate is also important to the plot of the story and is a moment when Winston Smith "connects" with O'Brien. During the ritual, Winston believes that he detects unorthodoxy in O'Brien. Winston begins to view O'Brien as an ally and writes to him in his private journal. Winston also experiences a connection with Julia, who will become a prominent figure in his life later in the story. Therefore, the Two Minutes Hate contributes to the plot of the story and is a significant moment in Winston's life.