[107820] in Cypherpunks
Re: _1984_ vs _This_Perfect_Day_
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jean-Francois Avon)
Sun Jan 24 20:40:07 1999
From: "Jean-Francois Avon" <jf_avon@citenet.net>
To: "mgraffam@idsi.net" <mgraffam@idsi.net>
Cc: "Sporting Shooters Association of Australia" <Sporting.Shooters.Association@adelaide.on.net>,
"=?iso-8859-1?q?Le_Qu=E9becois_Libre?=" <libre@colba.net>,
"Cypherpunks" <cypherpunks@toad.com>,
"Canadian Firearm Digest" <cdn-firearms-digest@broadway.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 20:19:59 -0500
Reply-To: "Jean-Francois Avon" <jf_avon@citenet.net>
On Sun, 24 Jan 1999 20:02:08 -0500 (EST), mgraffam@idsi.net wrote:
>To my mind, Orwell makes it clear while an individual may (even must)
>fail, nevertheless, the only worthwhile way to live is in rebellion.
>And, more to the point .. that a few months in rebellion is worth more
>than a lifetime of subserviance.
I don't agree with your conclusion. The story clearly shows that there is no
hope at the end, and that this is the results of his actions and attempts at
rebelling. This is why the bad guys did not only want his compliance but also
his soul. And *this* is the ultimate loss, the ultimate waste, worst than
death.
>I have never talked to a person who said that they would have not rebelled
>as Winston did, even taking into account his fate. Winton's failing isn't
>an example of why one should obey the Party, rather it is a map of what
>to do (and what not to do) next time.
Maybe, but you have to take things in their proper context. I never said we
"should obey the Party", but I say that human ingenuity and tenaciousness can
win against evil. Since a story is NOT a re-telling of actual events but the
presentation of an archetype, the sad ending leaves the reader with a sense of
smallness and resignation. Ask thoses same peoples if after having read 1984,
they would hesitate more before acting rebeliously in a terrible situation.
They will invariably answer 'yes'. It hammers into them the belief that you
can't beat tyrans. IMO, the only positive side is to make people a bit more
fearfull, thus a bit more carefull and likely to succeed.
>I have always found 1984 to be positive in this respect .. the idea that
>one can live a life worth living even in the most impossibly oppressive
>environments, if only one endeavors to be a man. That life won't last
>for long; but then it never does.
[snip]
>But, I suppose that this interpretation is heavily influenced by my
>naturally stubborn, rebellious nature.
:-)
>It does sound very interesting. I'd certainly like to read it. Too bad I
>don't speak French :)
Oh, but, it's originally in english, named _This_Perfect_Day_, in french
_Un_Bonheur_Insoutenable_ which translate more into "an unbearable happiness".
Ciao
jfa
