A study question for George Orwell's "1984":
Why is what the Party does to Winston UNLIKE other times in history when enemies were dealt with?
The answer's going to be somewhere from the beginning of Part Three to Ch. IV, I'm just not sure what to answer. I know in this section Winston is tortured by O'Brien with the dials, is that it? A bit confused here...thanks for the help!
The main purpose of torturing Winston is to convert him and make him believe in the Party. Formerly, enemies were punished and many became martyrs. Check these notes for some other ideas.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/section9.rhtml
I just remembered the term for that kind of torture -- brainwashing.
http://people.howstuffworks.com/brainwashing.htm
In George Orwell's "1984," the Party's treatment of Winston Smith is indeed unlike other times in history when enemies were dealt with. To answer your question, we need to focus on the section you mentioned, which is Part Three, specifically Chapter IV.
In this chapter, Winston is subjected to severe physical and psychological torture by O'Brien. The purpose of this torture is to not only punish Winston for his rebellious thoughts and actions but also to break his spirit completely and force him to submit to the Party's ideology. The torture includes the use of dials that inflict excruciating pain, creating intense physiological and psychological distress for Winston.
What makes the Party's treatment of Winston unique is the level of personal and psychological control they aim to achieve. The Party's goal is not just to eliminate political dissidents or opponents but to eradicate independent thought and individuality entirely. They seek not only to punish Winston but also to reshape his mind, making him a loyal and obedient Party member.
Unlike historical examples where enemies were typically executed or incarcerated, the Party employs a more sophisticated approach. Their aim is not simply to eliminate Winston but to convert him into a loyal supporter of the Party, which requires breaking his will and erasing his ability to reason independently.
To summarize, the Party's treatment of Winston in "1984" is unlike historical examples because it goes beyond physical harm, encompassing psychological manipulation and torture with the ultimate goal of complete ideological reprogramming.