1. Theme of Repression Analysing repression in ‘1984’ and how it is seen to link to Winston and supply an overall foundation for Orwell’s audience. Resource 23: Theme of Repression1

2. Theme of Repression 1.What does the term repression mean? The action of restraining or preventing someone from feeling or remembering something. Repression can be exercised in the form of repressing thoughts or feelings. Resource 23: Theme of Repression2

3. The aim of the Party was not merely to prevent men and women from forming loyalties which it might not be able to control. Its real, undeclared purpose was to remove all pleasure from the sexual act. Not love so much as eroticism was the enemy, inside marriage as well as outside it. All marriages between Party members had to be approved by a committee appointed for the purpose, and—though the principle was never clearly stated— permission was always refused if the couple concerned gave the impression of being physically attracted to one another. The only organized purpose of marriage was to beget children for the service of the Party. Examples of Repression Resource 23: Theme of Repression3

4. Sexual intercourse was to be looked on as a slightly disgusting minor operation, like having an enema. This again was never put into plain words, but in an indirect way it was rubbed into every Party member from childhood onwards. There were even organizations such as the Junior Anti-Sex League, which advocated complete celibacy for both sexes. All children were to be begotten by artificial insemination (ARTSEM, it was called in Newspeak) and brought up in public institutions. This, Winston was aware, was not meant altogether seriously, but somehow it fitted in with the general ideology of the Party. The Party was trying to kill the sex instinct, or, if it could not be killed, then to distort it and dirty it. He did not know why this was so, but it seemed natural that it should be so. And as far as the women were concerned, the Party’s efforts were largely successful Examples of Repression Resource 23: Theme of Repression4

5. The women of the Party were all alike. Chastity was as deep ingrained in them as Party loyalty. By careful early conditioning, by games and cold water, by the rubbish that was dinned into them at school and in the Spies and the Youth League, by lectures, parades, songs, slogans, and martial music, the natural feeling had been driven out of them. His reason told him that there must be exceptions, but his heart did not believe it. They were all impregnable, as the Party intended that they should be. And what he wanted, more even than to be loved, was to break down that wall of virtue, even if it were only once in his whole life. The sexual act, successfully performed, was rebellion. Desire was thoughtcrime. Even to have awakened Katharine, if he could have achieved it, would have been like a seduction, although she was his wife. Examples of Repression Resource 23: Theme of Repression5

6. What do these examples show? These examples show the aim the Party is trying to achieve. It also shows the how they attempted to eradicate the feelings associate with sexual pleasure. As the novel suggests, the aim is to “kill or dirty the instinct.” Resource 23: Theme of Repression6

7. The aim of the Party was not merely to prevent men and women from forming loyalties which it might not be able to control. Its real, undeclared purpose was to remove all pleasure from the sexual act. Not love so much as eroticism was the enemy, inside marriage as well as outside it. All marriages between Party members had to be approved by a committee appointed for the purpose, and—though the principle was never clearly stated—permission was always refused if the couple concerned gave the impression of being physically attracted to one another. The only organized purpose of marriage was to beget children for the service of the Party. Success in exercising Repression Resource 23: Theme of Repression7

8. Sexual intercourse was to be looked on as a slightly disgusting minor operation, like having an enema. This again was never put into plain words, but in an indirect way it was rubbed into every Party member from childhood onwards. There were even organizations such as the Junior Anti-Sex League, which advocated complete celibacy for both sexes. All children were to be begotten by artificial insemination (ARTSEM, it was called in Newspeak) and brought up in public institutions. This, Winston was aware, was not meant altogether seriously, but somehow it fitted in with the general ideology of the Party. The Party was trying to kill the sex instinct, or, if it could not be killed, then to distort it and dirty it. He did not know why this was so, but it seemed natural that it should be so. And as far as the women were concerned, the Party’s efforts were largely successful Success in exercising Repression Resource 23: Theme of Repression8

9. The women of the Party were all alike. Chastity was as deep ingrained in them as Party loyalty. By careful early conditioning, by games and cold water, by the rubbish that was dinned into them at school and in the Spies and the Youth League, by lectures, parades, songs, slogans, and martial music, the natural feeling had been driven out of them. His reason told him that there must be exceptions, but his heart did not believe it. They were all impregnable, as the Party intended that they should be. And what he wanted, more even than to be loved, was to break down that wall of virtue, even if it were only once in his whole life. The sexual act, successfully performed, was rebellion. Desire was thoughtcrime. Even to have awakened Katharine, if he could have achieved it, would have been like a seduction, although she was his wife. Success in exercising Repression Resource 23: Theme of Repression9

10. What do these examples show? They prove the attempts of the Party are successful. It also shows how Winston struggles with the Party’s ideals towards sexual activity and feelings. More on this later…. Resource 23: Theme of Repression10

11. 4. Why do you believe the Party allows marriage if they forbid desire? The sole purpose of marriage is to have children. Encouraging desire or love would endanger the Party by directing people's loyalties away from the government. 5. Why does the Party view sex as dangerous and antithetical to its power? Sex creates private loyalties and the Party must control these social acts and constructs. Desire, love, elation, jealousy and hatred are all strong emotions that can stem from a sexual relationship. All these emotions could prove more powerful than a duty to the Party, which is why sex is seen as such a threat. Resource 23: Theme of Repression11

12. 6. Why does the Party allow these desires to flow freely among the proles to the extent of supplying them with pornographic material? The proles outnumber the Inner Party members and so could easily overpower the Party if they chose to. The Part successfully disables their power by allowing the, a steady standard of living which includes pornography, music, films and alcohol. Although they do not live in comfort they are given just enough to ensure they never contemplate rebellion. 7. What do you think the Party’s aim is in repressing sexual desire? A successful totalitarian regime. This cannot be if private loyalties are formed as it will trump loyalty to the Party. Furthermore, it creates a mass of people who do not feel and are therefore dehumanized. This stripping away of emotions ensures successful manipulation and control. It all links together! Resource 23: Theme of Repression12

13. 8. How is Winston seen to be different and somewhat rebellious towards the restrictions of the Party concerning sexual activity? Winston questions the Party’s actions Winston does not repress his emotions; he wants to be loved, he wants to act on his desires His varicose ulcer is a symbol of Winston’s sexual repression. As you read the novel take notice the time his ulcer begins to itch, the detail he uses to explain how it feels. Resource 23: Theme of Repression13

14. Class Discussion What are your ideas on the following quote: So far, sexual repression is the Party’s most potent tool of power and control. Do you agree or disagree? Resource 23: Theme of Repression14