Part 3

III.

O'Brien tells me there are three stages to my reintegration: learning, understanding and acceptance. I am to learn of the second stage. He tells me he had a part in writing The Book and that I understand how the government maintains power but what I don't why the government maintains its power. This is what I must learn to do. He tells me the answer the the question. The Party maintains power solely for the purpose of having power. They have no caring for the welfare of others. O'Brien speaks of a "perfect" society built on hatred and cruelty. This world cannot live on its own, it would self destruct. But O'Brien is witty and will comeback with a remark that leaves me stunned every time. I cannot win. I tell him that the spirit of man will defeat the Party. So he tells me to get up, take my clothes off and look at myself in the mirror. I am hideous, I am missing teeth and I am bruised and scarred everywhere. I would not consider myself a man at all. I am beaten, i am broken to the point of no return. i ask when will I be killed. He told me it may be a long time but he assured me. I will be killed.