1984

what do winston's dreams about his mother, the golden country, and the dark-haired girl reveal about him ?

chapter 2

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Winston desperately wants to feel something real.

Winston dreams that his mother and sister are staring at him from a place lower than his; it makes him feel sad. In his dream about the "Golden Country," a young, dark haired girl runs toward him naked.

Source(s)

1984

Winston has ceased to feel anything. The Party has driven all meaningful emotion out of him. Dreams of his mother are painful. Dreams of the Golden country are hopeful and dreams of the girl are sexual and rebellious.

These dreams show us how volatile Winston really is. He harbors guilt about his mother and sister's death, believing that their deaths were meant to allow him to live. The thought that his mother would die for him illuminates the fact that she was able to show emotion and sacrifice........ thus, she had love. This disturbs Winston because he feels nothing.

The dream about the Golden Country dream is a recurring dream. The Golden Country is his forever place; it's perfect. The appearance of the girl marks something new in the dream. The fact that she removes her clothes is intoxicating, and yet not for sexual reasons, but rather for her defiance of the party.

Source(s)

1984

Winston's dreams reveal critical information about his past and foretell his future. Winston dreams about meeting O'Brien in a place "where there is no darkness" foreshadow his torture at O'Brien's hands. Winston's dreams of the Golden Country foreshadow his love affair with Julia. But dreams also represent history, and the freedom associated with history. The Thought Police can see everything except Winston's inner beliefs so Winston may go anywhere and think anything while dreaming as long as his outward behavior remains neutral. Through brainwashing and shock treatment, the Party ultimately controls Winston's dreams. Only then do they truly control Winston.

Winston's Mother - Winston often dreams about his mother. His mother and sister sacrificed themselves to save Winston. He remembers a time when war broke out and his mother protected him and gave him her food rations despite his ingratitude and selfishness. Winston's mother represents loss and human contact. As a child he did not understand or appreciate his mother's love but as an adult, Winston feels deep loneliness created by the loss of his mother and of natural human contact. Alienation and loss characterize Winston's entire existence.

Source(s)

http://www.novelguide.com/1984/metaphoranalysis.html