> *"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. His heart sank as he thought of the enormous power that the Party possessed. It was not merely that they could inflict pain and death; it was that they could inflict pain and death in the name of a doctrine that demanded such pain and death. It was not merely that they were strong; it was that they could make you strong, by making you part of them, by making you a part of the endless process of their power. And it was not merely that they were strong; it was that they were cunning and baffling and seemed to be everywhere at once. They were inside him. His own mind was a battlefield where the forces of good and evil were engaged in an endless struggle. He felt himself growing weaker, crumbling under the strain. What he lacked was a firm base, a secure starting-point. How could he be sure that the Party was wrong, and the Brotherhood right? And if the Brotherhood was right, what were they trying to achieve? It seemed to him that they had no plan, no purpose, only a deep-seated, unreasoning hatred." * - Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell*
The quote you're referencing is not directly stated, but it's implied throughout Winston's internal struggle. Here's a breakdown of how Orwell implies this:
* The Party's control: The Party exerts total control over every aspect of life, including people's thoughts and beliefs. They use propaganda, surveillance, and torture to enforce their ideology.
* Winston's struggle: Winston is caught between his own conscience and the Party's demands. He starts questioning the Party's authority, but he's terrified of the consequences.
* The toll of violence: The Party's constant violence and manipulation take a heavy toll on Winston's sanity and ability to think critically. He feels increasingly confused, exhausted, and powerless.
The meaning of "conscience cannot stand much violence":
This means that the human conscience, our sense of right and wrong, can only withstand so much abuse and manipulation. When faced with constant violence and suppression, our moral compass can become distorted or even shattered.
In the context of *Nineteen Eighty-Four*:
The Party's tactics are designed to destroy individuals' sense of self and make them compliant. The quote implies that by subjecting people to constant violence and fear, the Party can break their spirit and make them accept even the most absurd ideas. This highlights the importance of freedom of thought and the dangers of totalitarian regimes.
Overall, the quote isn't directly stated in *Nineteen Eighty-Four,* but it's a central theme of the novel. The quote captures the idea that unchecked violence can erode human dignity and make people susceptible to oppression.