W12, #5: Bringing the Book to Life

We'll soon be reading Goldstein's secret book -- The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism -- let's take a look at how Hollywood tries to explain this part of the novel (including when O'Brien gives Winston the book):

Challenge:

• Do you think that this part of the film is an accurate portrayal of the book as your mind is picturing it?
• Did they explain enough of Goldstein's book (and ideas) to help a person watching the film (who has never read the book) understand what you now know?
• What should they have added?  What should they have left out?

Here's the clip (about 10 minutes long):

Comments

[Student #1]

This portrayal of this scene from the book was fairly accurate. I don’t think it was necessary to add the telescreen announcing the Out of Party members, because I found it distracting. The director should have added the detail of Julia attending the rendezvous with Winston. The part about having to change your face, name, and identity to be apart of the Brotherhood was also something that should have been included. The idea of the Brotherhood wasn’t explained in detail. The book also was mentioned the way it should have been.

[Student #2]

I never really thought of that world to look quite normal. For some reason in my mind I expected it to be a barren wasteland. I think it was pretty accurate, but my one thing is there was way to much dead time. I also don't understand the telescreen calling out the people's names. I think they could have left that out and had more dialogue.

[Student #3]

The first thing I noticed was the appearance of Martin. I thought that he would look Asian, like a "Mongol", but Hollywood seems to make him more British. Also, there are some other details that are different from the book to the movie, such as the absence of Julia during the visit to O'Brien, as well as O'Brien starting the conversation. Even though I believe that the movie is accurate in portraying the ideas of Goldstein, the book itself isn't how I imagine because I never thought it would be hidden within the dictionary. It's probably a Hollywood trick to make the story more mysterious.

[Student #4]

Everything was nearly accurate. I thought they didnt emphasize how hard it was to stay out of trouble and everything you had to go through to be a party member. The telescreen yelling out names every 5 seconds was just annoying and should have been left out. The general setting looked as if it was supposed, although it could have been a little more morbid and dead.