Why Does Obrien Refer to Syme Only Indirectly?

Author Donald Gianassi

Posted Sep 14, 2022

Reads 48

Library with lights

When Winston is talking to O'Brien about the fact that he believes that Syme is a thought criminal, O'Brien does not directly confirm or deny his suspicions. Instead, he asks Winston what he thinks the consequences would be if Syme were, indeed, a thought criminal. Winston immediately imagines Syme being vaporized, which is, of course, the Party's punishment for thought criminals.

O'Brien then tells Winston that the Party does not necessarily vaporize all thought criminals, and that there are different levels of thoughtcrime. He goes on to say that the Party is not infallible, and that sometimes they make mistakes. Winston asks if Syme was vaporized, and O'Brien again does not directly answer the question.

It is clear that O'Brien is deliberately avoiding answering Winston's question directly. This could be for a number of reasons. Maybe O'Brien himself is not sure if Syme is a thought criminal or not. Maybe he knows that Syme is not a thought criminal, but he does not want to give Winston false hope.

Or, it could be that O'Brien knows that Syme is a thought criminal, and he is trying to protect Winston from the knowledge. By not telling Winston directly, O'Brien is doing Winston a favor. If Winston does not know for sure that Syme is a thought criminal, he can still hold on to the hope that Syme is alive and well.

In the end, we cannot be sure why O'Brien refers to Syme only indirectly. But it is clear that O'Brien is deliberately avoiding giving Winston a direct answer.

What does O'Brien's indirect reference to Syme suggest about him?

In 1984, O'Brien makes an indirect reference to Syme, who is a character that appears in George Orwell's novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. This reference suggests that O'Brien may be sympathetic to the character of Syme. In the novel, Syme is a character who is described as being intelligent and enthusiastic about the Party's ideology. However, he is eventually captured and vaporized by the Thought Police for suspected thoughtcrime. O'Brien's reference to Syme suggests that he may identify with the character's intelligence and idealism, but also sympathize with his fate.

How does O'Brien's attitude towards Syme differ from Winston's?

George Orwell's attitude towards Syme in his novel, 1984, is much different from Winston's. Orwell believed that Syme was a fellow revolutionary and was working towards the same goals as Winston. However, Winston saw Syme as a threat to his own position and authority within the Party. This difference in attitude leads to very different actions from the two characters. Winston betrays and kills Syme because he sees him as a threat, while Orwell does not because he believes that Syme is working towards the same goal as he is. This difference in attitude is the result of the different experiences and backgrounds of the two characters.

What does O'Brien's use of indirect language reveal about his character?

In "The Things They Carried," O'Brien employs a great deal of indirect language. This can be seen in his use of metaphors and similes, as well as his tendency to speak in generalities. This indirect language reveals a great deal about O'Brien's character.

First and foremost, O'Brien's use of language reveals that he is a very thoughtful person. He takes the time to consider his words carefully before he speaks, and this thoughtfulness is evident in the way he uses metaphors and similes. For instance, when O'Brien is describing the death of his friend, Kiowa, he says that Kiowa "went down taking a long time to die." This is a very poignant metaphor, and it reveals that O'Brien is capable of great insight and empathy.

In addition to being thoughtful, O'Brien's use of language also reveals that he is a very introspective person. He is constantly reflecting on his own thoughts and feelings, and this introspection is evident in the way he speaks in generalities. For instance, when O'Brien is talking about the soldiers in his platoon, he says that they were all "carrying the weight of their lives." This is a very general statement, but it speaks to the way that O'Brien was constantly thinking about the soldiers in his platoon and their inner lives.

Ultimately, O'Brien's use of language reveals that he is a very complex person. He is not afraid to confront the difficult truths about life, and he is constantly exploring his own thoughts and feelings. This complexity is evident in the way he uses metaphors and similes, as well as in the way he speaks in generalities. In short, O'Brien's use of language reveals a great deal about his character, and it is one of the things that makes him such a compelling storyteller.

What does O'Brien's lack of directness towards Syme say about his feelings towards him?

In Winston's dream, O'Brien is not very direct with Syme. He is talking to him in a hospital bed, but he does not seem to be very worried about him. This could be because he is not really close to Syme and does not feel the need to be very worried about him. Alternatively, it could be because O'Brien is trying to protect him from something. In the dream, O'Brien says that he will not tell Syme about the thing that is going to happen to him, which could be interpreted as O'Brien not wanting to cause him any unnecessary pain.

How does O'Brien's use of language when referring to Syme contrast with his use of language when referring to Winston?

In George Orwell's novel 1984, the protagonist Winston is having a conversation with his co-worker Syme, who is responsible for inventing new words for the English language. Winston asks Syme how he can be sure that the words he creates will be adopted by the others in the Party. Syme replies:

"The whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought. In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it. Every concept that can ever be needed, will be expressed by exactly one word, with its meaning rigidly defined and all its subsidiary meanings rubbed out and forgotten. Already, in the Eleventh Edition, we are not far from that point . . . . The great wastage is in the verbs and adjectives, but there are hundreds of nouns that can be got rid of as well. It isn't only the synonymous words; there are also the antonyms. After all, what justification is there for a word which is simply the opposite of some other word? A word contains its opposite in itself. Take 'good,' for instance. If you have a word like 'good,' what need is there for a word like 'bad'? 'Ungood' will do just as well. Or again, if you want a stronger version of 'good,' what sense is there in having 'plusgood' as well as 'doubleplusgood'?"

In this passage, Orwell is criticising the way that the Party controls language in order to control thought. He is saying that by redefining words and removing synonyms and antonyms, the Party is able to restrict the range of thought. This is because without the ability to express certain concepts, it becomes impossible to think them.

Orwell uses very different language to refer to Winston and Syme in this passage. When talking about Winston, he uses words like "thoughtcrime" and "thought-control". These words have a negative connotation and suggest that Winston is being controlled by the Party. In contrast, when talking about Syme, Orwell uses words like "inventing" and "creating". These words have a positive connotation and suggest that Syme is doing something creative and worthwhile.

This contrast in language highlights the difference in the way that Winston and Syme view their work. Winston sees it as a way of control, while Syme

What does O'rien's use of indirect language when referring to Syme suggest about his opinion of him?

When George Orwell's character O'Brien uses indirect language when referring to Syme, it suggests that he does not have a high opinion of him. This is most likely because Syme is a member of the Thought Police, and O'Brien is not. The Thought Police are the people who enforce the strict rules of the society in Orwell's novel, 1984. They are the ones who make sure that everyone conforms to the party line and that there is no dissent or independent thought. Syme is a member of this group, and O'rien is not. This difference in opinion is likely to cause tension between the two characters.

How does O'Brien's use of language when referring to Winston differ from his use of language when referring to Syme?

George Orwell's 1984 is set in a society where the government controls everything and "Big Brother is watching." The government controls the language that the citizens speak, and they are not allowed to use certain words or phrases. The government also controls the meaning of words, and they can change the meaning of a word at any time. The main character, Winston, is trying to rebel against the government, and he is trying to find a way to keep his own individuality. He meets a man named Syme, who is an expert on the language that the government has created. Syme is working on creating a new dictionary, and he tells Winston that the government is changing the meaning of words so that they can control the thoughts of the citizens. Winston is shocked by this, and he does not want to believe it. However, he eventually comes to believe it, and he realizes that the government is using language as a tool to control the minds of the citizens. Orwell uses language as a tool to control the minds of the readers as well. He uses different language when referring to Winston and Syme. When Orwell is referring to Winston, he uses language that is more negative. He describes Winston as a "lonely ghost haunting the places where he had been happy in the past." He also describes him as being "under the eye of the Thought Police." On the other hand, when Orwell is referring to Syme, he uses language that is more positive. He describes Syme as being "intelligent" and "enthusiastic." He also says that Syme is "a thinker." This contrast in language shows Orwell's opinion of Winston and Syme. He clearly believes that Syme is a better person than Winston.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does O’Brien’s relationship with Winston show about the project?

O'Brien has a close, trusting relationship with Winston. This shows the importance of the project to both of them.

Who is O’Brien in the Great Gatsby?

O’Brien is a powerful member of the Inner Party who tricks Winston into believing that he is a member of the revolutionary group called the Brotherhood. O’Brien inducts Winston into the Brotherhood.

What is Winston’s opinion of O’Brien?

Winston's opinion of O'Brien can be seen as fluctuating in the novel. Early on Winston has a strong dislike for him, attributing all his selfish desires onto him. However, by the end of the novel Winston seems to have grown to respect and even like O'Brien.

Is O'Brien interested in Winston in 1984?

It is difficult to determine O'Brien's true feelings for Winston, as he is always hiding his true motives. However, it seems that O'Brien does not initially care about Winston personally, but rather what he can learn from him. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that O'Brien sees potential in Winston and takes a possessive interest in him.

What is Winston's dream about O'Brien in Chapter 2?

In Winston's dream, O'Brien is presenting him with a new kind of book. The cover is black and feature a red star on it. The title of the book is "The Theory of Scientific Socialism." Winston sees that the inside covers are filled with drawings and diagrams. O'Brien explains that the book is meant to be an introduction to scientific socialism and how it can be used to change society. Winston is excited by the idea of using scientific socialism to create a more just society, but he is hesitant because he does not completely trust O'Brien.

Donald Gianassi

Donald Gianassi

Writer at CGAA

View Donald's Profile

Donald Gianassi is a renowned author and journalist based in San Francisco. He has been writing articles for several years, covering a wide range of topics from politics to health to lifestyle. Known for his engaging writing style and insightful commentary, he has earned the respect of both his peers and readers alike.

View Donald's Profile