I am stuck on this question

[sppink]

I am having some trouble with this question for my final. "Describe the naive assumptions of parsons about the state of Oceania and how they result in his arrest and murder". If any one has any insight it would be greatly appeciated.

[quasimodo1]

will need a few more clues or a proper name or author

[The Atheist]

will need a few more clues or a proper name or author

LOL!

This is the 1984 forum!

[The Atheist]

I am having some trouble with this question for my final. "Describe the naive assumptions of parsons about the state of Oceania and how they result in his arrest and murder". If any one has any insight it would be greatly appeciated.

Dear old Parsons... "A fattish, but active man, of paralysing stupidity." One of my favourite phrases of all time.

Comrade Parsons is too stupid to even understand the rudiments of doublethink, or even Ingsoc, or probably even the extent to which the Party controls his life. Parsons should have been a prole.

Parsons may have uttered, "down with Big Brother", but I think it's far more likely that his children said that to gain kudos for themselves as I doubt Parsons would be capable of even forming the thought.

His naivety came about because he did just so much for the Party without ever thinking of deeper questions.

To have a chance at survival as an Outer Party member, Parsons would have had to:

Be aware that he could have seditious thoughts and accordingly practice doublethink on himself to ensure they never surfaced. He assumed that he was pure of thought and action.

Be aware that his children were the type of mosters likely to pull a stunt like this - Winston certainly saw it, he just picked the wrong parent. No doubt Mrs P was next. Parsons obviously failed to connect with his kids through naively assuming that they would be loyal to him.

Be aware that no matter much time and effort he spent working on Party needs, he was not going to gain any loyalty back. He assumed that his worth was evident, when in fact, he was as worthless as a prole.

Be aware that justice was not a option in Oceania. He could clearly see the three ministry buildings each day, yet never bothered to wonder why. He just blithely lived his life assuming that all would work out for the best. He was wrong, which is why he was so terrified. Winston was terrified because he knew exactly what he'd done, Parsons was terrified by having no idea how he came to be under arrest. He had assumed that people arrested were given a trial and that he would be entitled to defend himself.

[sppink]

wow thank you [[the athiest]] that was extremly helpful :)

[quasimodo1]

Thanks for the laugh. Really not clued in to this one at all. Minimally embarassing. I do respect any member couragious enough to adopt the monicker "Atheist". quasimodo1

[Extrocomp]

The question itself has a mistake. Parsons was never murdered. The last mention of him is that he was removed from the cell with Winston. We don't know what happened to him after that. I don't think he would be subjected to months of torture like Winston was. For all we know he might've been sent to a forced-labour camp. Strangely, not a single character died at any time in the novel.