Title: 1984 Characters - eNotes.com
Headings: 1984 Characters
1984 Characters
List of Characters
Winston Smith
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Julia
O’Brien
Big Brother
Emmanuel Goldstein
Syme
Mr. Charrington
Mr. Parsons
Katharine
Jones, Aaronson, and Rutherford
Elderly Prole Man
Red-Armed Prole Woman
Ampleforth
Bumstead
The Skull-Faced Man
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Content: As a former Party leader, he understands the tactics the Party uses. This means Goldstein can disrupt Party activity and convert Party members to the Brotherhood. His mere existence is a threat because it offers the hope of revolution to those harboring anti-Party sentiments. As a result, the Party does everything in its power to promote a negative response towards the Brotherhood. Rituals such as the Two Minutes Hate and the frequent arrests of purported Brotherhood members serve to inspire fear in any prospective rebels. By a different reading, Goldstein is a fabricated scapegoat. The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism suggests that Oceania must constantly be at war in order for the Party to justify its oppressive policies and routine supply shortages. Viewed as a lie made up by the Party, Goldstein serves the same purpose as the constant warfare. With the constant threat of treachery from within the Party, the existence of the Thought Police becomes justifiable. Furthermore, the Two Minutes Hate allows the Party to redirect negative sentiments away from itself and towards Goldstein.