Rebellion Begins

The Diary is a relatively significant piece in Winston's life. It holds a symbol of rebellion, against Big brother and his totalitarian concepts. The diary is not illegal, or as Winston says "This was not illegal, but if detected it was reasonably certain that it would be punished by death"(page 6). Winston finds that the diary is a place where he can express himself without anyone else knowing. However as he is writing he subconsciously writes "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER"(page 18) over and over again. Whilst writing this Winston undergoes a "twinge of panic" because he realizes the act he has committed. However upon realizing this he figures "Weather he wrote DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER, or weather he refrained from writing it. The thought police would get him just the same"(page 18/19). I believe as the reader, that the concept of keeping a diary is illegal in Winston's world makes sense. The government is trying to keep peoples free ideas suppressed, and as Winston shows us, writing can prove to unleash the concepts we believe without us knowing we are writing them. The fact that Winston wrote "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER"(page 18) also appears normal. The belief to overthrow the major Stalin like political figure, probably rests in the back of everyone's mind.