O'Brien presents "The Brotherhood" to Winston and Julia telling them that they will know none of their fellow members, perform small acts over time until they are eventually caught, and will surely be killed. What is the point if there is a chance that none of their actions will actually benefit their lives in Oceania(at least for many years to come)? And if their actions do actually provide a change and help to destruct Big Brother, won't they most likely suffer death anyway?