What is O'Brien, exactly?

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11-09-2010, 05:36 PM
the_river_styx

What is O'Brien, exactly?

I would like to know what O'Brien stands for. I realize Winston is hopeful, and he believes he has a friend, or at the very least, he is not the only one that thinks the way he does. So is O'Brien hope? Or is he something else, entirely? It doesn't seem to me like he is just reassurance that Winston isn't defective.
11-09-2010, 07:40 PM
The Atheist

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_river_styx

I would like to know what O'Brien stands for. I realize Winston is hopeful, and he believes he has a friend, or at the very least, he is not the only one that thinks the way he does. So is O'Brien hope? Or is he something else, entirely? It doesn't seem to me like he is just reassurance that Winston isn't defective.

Keep reading, it'd be unfair to give the game away.

Richard Burton played him in a film version, which should give you a good image of what he was intended to look like.
11-17-2010, 02:21 PM
3GS

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Keep reading, it'd be unfair to give the game away.

Richard Burton played him in a film version, which should give you a good image of what he was intended to look like.

I second this. Towards the end of the novel is where O'Briens true character is revieled. Keep reading :D
07-19-2011, 10:29 PM
libernaut

O'brien is the ultimate evil. Draws you in with friendship and trust only to betray you and rule you.
07-19-2011, 10:30 PM
libernaut

Sorry for the spoiler if it was.
11-21-2011, 07:44 PM
Teacher

You can't discount the fact that O'Brien also represents the concept of "hope". This is the hope government often offers but never fulfills. It's also an aspect of the novel where we see Orwell most pessimistic.

As Winston is taken away, he's struck by how insignificant is he and how much energy the Thought Police have used to "catch" him.