The Children

[soccerchick21]

:confused: I'm a little confused about the way George Orwell explains how the children are so powerful. I understand that in this society these children have alot of the power, even much so that their parents are afaraid of them, but why? Why do they have all the power? Who picked them? Is it because Big Brother has brainwashed them into thinking that everyone is liars or cheaters or always up to doing something wrong? If you could help me better understand the way George Orwell is comming from with the children I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!:wave:

[KurtDunn]

The children are not picked because of themselves, per-say. The function they fulfill by being the snitches isn't just to be part of the self-policing force of population, there's more to it.

The Party wants to break down all loyalties that any citizen has before the Party itself. To do this, they contend with love that can be felt from person to person, including parents to children. The family unit is a huge obstacle in the year 1984, but it is quickly being dissolved. Selected marriages between romantically incompatible partners is one way it's being achieved, along with turning the Children into fanatical hate-mongering spies. It would be much harder to turn off the maternal/paternal instincts than it is to turn the children on the parents.

[hockey man]

the children are used as a source of intimidation. they are a sort of extent from Big brother. Big Brother wants to keep watch on the people the best he can, he has the telescreens, the thought police and now the children in which he uses as spies.