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What evidence in part three of 1984 suggests that O’Brien reciprocated Winston's love?
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In Part Three of 1984, O'Brien's behavior towards Winston suggests a complex, paternal-like affection rather than reciprocal love. O'Brien treats Winston with special care, as evidenced by his gentle and patient demeanor, akin to a doctor or teacher. He believes Winston is worth saving, indicating a unique consideration for him. However, this "love" is harsh, as it involves torture aimed at "curing" Winston, reflecting a tough, authoritarian form of care.
Whether one could describe O'Brien's behavior towards Winston as an expression of love is a moot point. However, there can be no doubt that he treats him differently from any of the countless other thought criminals that have had the gross misfortune to cross his path over the years. Whether or not we can call it love, O'Brien certainly seems to have a kind of fatherly feeling towards Winston. Though if it is love, it's definitely of the tough variety, given the immense pain that O'Brien inflicts upon the man who's become almost like a son to him. Nevertheless, O'Brien sees something in Winston that he doesn't recognize in anyone else:
Winston could not remember whether it was drugged sleep, or in normal sleep, or even in a moment of wakefulness–a voice murmured in his ear: "Don’t worry, Winston; you are in my keeping. For seven years I gave...
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watched over you. Now the turning point has come. I shall save you, I shall make you perfect." (Book III, chapter 2)
O'Brien knows Winston better than he knows himself. He understands what makes him tick; what lies at the very core of his being. And because of this unique insight into the depths of his soul, he knows that Winston is worth saving. This is a man who can be cured of his affliction; a man who can learn to love Big Brother in much the same way that he's come to love O'Brien.
O'Brien, in chapter 2 of Book 3, takes very special care of Winston while torturing him. This is a little ironic since the purpose of torture is pain. O'Brien shows significant restraint and care for Winston in his words. Look at his considerate language:
'I am taking trouble with you, Winston,' he said, 'because you are worth trouble. You know perfectly well what is the matter with you. You have known it for years, though you have fought against the knowledge. You are mentally deranged. You suffer from a defective memory. You are unable to remember real events and you persuade yourself that you remember other events which never happened. Fortunately it is curable. You have never cured yourself of it, because you did not choose to. There was a small effort of the will that you were not ready to make.
These statements show a somewhat forgiving nature in O'Brien. O'Brien wouldn't forgive Winston if he did not have love for him. In fact in narration, Orwell described O'Brien's nature specifically like this:
When he spoke his voice was gentle and patient. He had the air of a doctor, a teacher, even a priest, anxious to explain and persuade rather than to punish.
These words demonstrate a genuine character. All these occupations are jobs that require love and attention to those with whom the people serve.