03-10-2014, 06:25 AM
No one is suggesting this is a re-write of Orwell, this is a re-interpretation, picking up on the themes within the novel relating to the relationship between Winston and Julia.
And far from this poem falling short with regard to those themes, it is in fact very faithful to one of the key scenes in the book, when under the torture of re-education - illustrated in the poem by the literature course - Winston holds onto the memory of Julia. And only when subjected to his worst fear - the rats (in the poem, the final exam) - does he let that memory go, conform, and become a good party member - which in this poem could be seen as a class statement - an educated man, with a certificate, and a career, does not consort with a short order waitress, if he is to progress.
It doesn't require doublethink to understand what is being attempted.
And far from this poem falling short with regard to those themes, it is in fact very faithful to one of the key scenes in the book, when under the torture of re-education - illustrated in the poem by the literature course - Winston holds onto the memory of Julia. And only when subjected to his worst fear - the rats (in the poem, the final exam) - does he let that memory go, conform, and become a good party member - which in this poem could be seen as a class statement - an educated man, with a certificate, and a career, does not consort with a short order waitress, if he is to progress.
It doesn't require doublethink to understand what is being attempted.