1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four: Novel Summary: Part 3 Chapter 3-Part 3 Chapter 4

Part 3 Chapter 3: "'There are three stages in your reintegration,' said O'Brien. 'There is learning, there is understanding, and there is acceptence. It is time for you to enter upon the second stage" (p. 264). In this chapter Winston finally learns why the Party acts as it does. O'Brien explains that the Party seeks power for its own sake. O'Brien states, "The more the Party is powerful, the less it will be tolerant; the weaker the opposition, the tighter the despotism. Goldstein and his heresies will live forever. Every day, at every moment, they will be defeated, discredited, ridiculed, spat upon-and yet they will always survive. This drama that I have played out with you during seven years will be played out over and over again, generation after generation.That is the world we are preparing, Winston.You are beginning, I can see, to realize what that world will be like. But in the end you will do more than understand it. You will accept it, welcome it, become part of it" (p. 271). Winston tries to resist. He argues with O'Brien that he is still a man and that there will always be men who will revolt. In response to Winston's argument, O'Brien forces Winston to view himself in a mirror. The torture has turned Winston into a savage, beaten shell. He no longer looks human. To further illustrate his point, O'Brien yanks Winston's last teeth out of his jaw and pulls clumps of hair from his scalp. "We have beaten you, Winston. We have broken you up. You have seen what your body is like. Your mind is in the same state" (p. 277).