Rats. Why'd It Have to be Rats? (Minor Spoilers for Divergent)

    When O'Brien mentioned that there were rats in the room with Winston, and then gave him the cage, it was clear how much it disturbed and scared him. It put Winston in a terrified state, where he is forced to live through his worst nightmare. This appears to be the climax of the book, as Winston is finally being confronted by the Party, and he is forced to make his final choices, which could leave to his torture and death, or his salvation.

    But the actual torture system seemed very reminiscent to me, with the binding him down and the rat cages. It felt a lot like the fear simulations that were a big part in the Divergent series. In case you need a refresher, the dear simulations have the participant going through their worst nightmares, in an attempt to overcome your fears. The fear is either a very specific and literal event, (In the case of Tobias's beating) or a more symbolic one. (With Tris being attacked by birds) The whole simulation revolves around facing these fears, and being stronger than they are.

    I think that the same kind of mindset is being used in 1984, albeit with a less good ending. I think that in this moment, the same goal arrives: to overcome your fear, and in Winston's case, a cage full of rats. However, I think that O'Brien is going to use this overcoming, and twist it into a good thing that the Party did. He will show that the rats can be taken away, but that it will only come with an acceptance to the Party, therefore showing Winston how good the Party really is.

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