1984 1st Socratic Seminar Final Reflection

            The seminar greatly deepened my understanding of 1984 as a whole, as I was able to see other people’s view of the dystopian society. I realized more in depth how the propaganda of the totalitarian government dictates the thoughts of the people and directly controls their actions. When someone mentioned the woman Winston works with who claims that Big Brother is her savior, I thought she was saying so to avoid suspicion from the thought police. The discussion got me thinking and I realized that she actually believed this man was a god due to propaganda.

            I most agreed with the statement that this dystopia was a possibility if World War II had ended differently. However, I disagreed with the statement that our current desensitization toward violence could eventually lead us to this. If I could have properly responded to this, I would have said that basic human instinct and emotion will prevent us from the level of desensitization outlined in 1984. A fully dystopian society would be necessary to create such an apathy towards violence, and as the world moves towards democracy, this scenario seems more and more unlikely.

            The seminar flowed very smoothly, and I think it was evident that almost everyone read the assigned reading. Multiple arguments developed, and both sides could support their claims with textual evidence.

            However, the biggest problem to me was my personal contribution. While I was operating on a half hour of sleep, my responses were weak, unsupported, and I only utilized logical appeals throughout the seminar. I plan on focusing on textual evidence to support claims for all three rhetorical appeals for next seminar.

Chapter 8

The theme of chapter eight understanding the future. Here are five quotes that support that theme:

"...[H]e'd known his fate would be the same. He would spend the rest of his life in prison." (Moore 156)

"'You committed an act like something out of the Wild West, and you didn't even realize how outrageous it was,' the judge said. 'That makes you a very dangerous person.'" (Moore 157)

"Now Wes's mind wandered to the long term for the first time. Finally, he could see his future." (Moore 157)

"I... realized that... this was an exclusive group that held a significant amount of influence and power. (Moore 162)

"His tribe's influence in making him a man was obvious and indelible. At that moment, I realized the journey I took was never mine alone either." (Moore 171)

Analysis: As the two boys grow up throughout the book, the reader is well aware of their respective futures. However, the Wes Moore's have no idea where they are going until this chapter. Chapter eight most emphasizes the differences between the two Wes Moore's. In this chapter, the other Wes Moore comes to the realization that he will spend the rest of his life in prison (first three quotes). He will never be a free man, and while this must be a crushing feeling, he understands what's ahead for the first time. The author Wes Moore, however, fully appreciates having gotten to where he is in his life in this chapter, and looks ahead for the first time (last two quotes): he sees a bright future ahead. He isn't wrong.