Goldstein's book, 1984

Goldstein’s book is baffling to me. Its symbolic purpose is rebellion yet I see little purpose in its physical cause, especially in Winston’s case. It basically goes over the party’s history and reasons for its actions which Winston already knows. Its long descriptions merely confirm what Winston already suspects. For this very reason, I am suspicious about the book and O’Brien. The book seems to fit Winston almost too perfectly. What are the odds that it confirms every one of Winston’s beliefs, no more and no less? Why is it that the book offers neither real conclusions nor instructions? It sounds more like a history text book rather than a high-crime offence. This may just be the reason why it is so detrimental to the party; it is comprised of pure, unchanging and unaltered facts. However, after reading it, what is a rebeller supposed to take away from it? If he or she had made it this far into the brotherhood, they would already have these thoughts. This brings me to my next point; does the brotherhood actually exist?

                If the brotherhood were to exist, wouldn’t it achieve some sort of goal rather than remain secretive? To be victorious, there needs to be a winner and a loser but who’s to know whether the brotherhood is victorious or not if they are so secret about their doings? In other words, someone outside the brotherhood, has to be aware of a victory for it to count as so. Otherwise, it does not matter whether they make advances or not because there is no effect. I am suspicious that they even exist and I believe that O’Brien may have set up the whole hoax to catch Winston and Julia. On the other hand, there really could be a brotherhood but it obviously isn’t doing too well for they haven’t made any advances and even if they had, they are unknown of and therefore nonexistent.