Dialectic Journal 2

PAGE 22

"A handsome, tough-looking boy of nine had popped up from behind the table was menacing him with a toy automatic pistol, while his small sister, about two years younger, made the same gesture with a fragment of wood. Both of them were dressed in the blue shorts, gray shirts, and red neckerchiefs which were the uniforms of the Spies. Winston raised his hands above his head, but with an uneasy feeling, so vicious was the boy's demeanor that it was not altogether a game."

In this quote, rather early on in Chapter 2, we get introduced to what the children in this society are like. From a very young age, Big Brother and the way the government has brain-washed everyone affects these children. I think it's interested that the young boy is not only described as tough-looking but also handsome, sort of creating an ongoing theme throughout the book about the physical characteristics of people. Also, I might be digging too deep into it, but the little boy is already setting an example for his younger sister, who is following exactly what he's doing except without the actual toy. I just find it curious that she doesn't get a toy of her own. 

They're both wearing the Spies uniforms, which reminds me of when small children dress up as cops to play games. But, to Winston it really doesn't seem like a much of a game. Already, these children are ready to take down any body who betrays the  Party, and as sweet as that may seem, it's pretty frightening to think they're putting that much hatred into it.