Chapter 5
Summary
O’Brien tells Winston that this Room 101 contains the worst thing in the
world, and for Winston, that is rats.
On a table is a device containing 2 rats, which will be fitted on Winston’s
face. Winston starts to panic thinking that surely O’Brien would not resort to this terror. O’Brien explains that the rats are very hungry and when he opens the gate, they will rush at his face and will
strip him to the bone. O’Brien stresses that there is no escape for Winston and no escape for the rats.
Winston is frantic and realizes that his only means of escape is to
interpose another human being between himself and the rats. He shouts frantically, “Do it to Julia, not me, Julia.”
Interpretation
Room 101 has ensured that the Party has power over Winston’s heart and
spirit. He has betrayed Julia. He has lost his mind.
This marks the third and final climax of the novel.
He has nothing left but to love Big Brother.
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