1984 Group

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sftbll42010
sftbll42010
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Why does Goldstein's influence never seem to decline? Why doesn't the government ever capture him?

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Posted by sftbll42010 on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 5:43 PM and tagged with 1984.

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  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Goldstein's influence never declines and the government never captures him because his existence is vital if the government is to survive.  In fact, it is not clear that Goldstein really exists.  He may, in fact, have been made up by the government.

    So why does the government need him?  One of the main ways the government keeps society together is by having something for them all to hate.  This is Goldstein's function and it is one reason why Ingsoc is always at war.

    Without a bad guy on whom to focus, the people might not be so united and they might start to think about how their lives aren't that great.  So the government needs Goldstein to keep the people from being discontented.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/1984/characters

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    Posted by pohnpei397 on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 5:46 PM