Faith and Belief

Winston talks a lot in 1984 about how it is so difficult to argue with O'Brien and Big Brother.  Winston says that he cringes at "the enormous power arrayed against him,  the ease with which any party member would overthrow him in debate, the subtle arguments he would not be able to understand, much less answer" (81).  In a twisted and ironic turn of events, the Party has all the evidence on its side because of their alteration of the past and their control over the people of Oceania.

And yet Winston knows that the party members are wrong.  Despite all of their evidence and cleverly crafted arguments, Winston knows that "they are wrong and he is right" (81).  Winston believes with all his soul that "the solid world exists, its laws do not change" (81).  "Truisms are true" according to Winston (81).  Winston has no evidence to the contrary except the "mute protest in his bones."  Deep down, Winston believes in reality.

This idea really intrigued me.  It seemed to me that Orwell was contending that the only way to fight the 'logical' and 'reasoned' arguments of the Party was to have faith.  Winston states that he knows the party will fail because of "something in the universe - some spirit, some principle." He goes on to call this principle the "spirit of Man." That is what Winston has faith in, despite all evidence to the contrary, and that is why he believes the Party will fail. 

And I found this idea really intriguing because it seemed to me like Winston was using this principle of doublethink against the party.  The only way too fight irrational logic is to have faith in humanity.   The only way to fight the doublethink of the party is to employ the principle of doublethink in your own arguments - faith versus irrationality.  I'll take faith any day.