1984: 257-277

Two plus two equals four. That’s a fact that no one can change because no matter which way you look at it two plus two equals four and it cannot equal anything else. But if everyone single person believes that two plus two equals five than it has to. Winston however has trouble believing this because logic tells him that it equals four. O’ Brien is trying to make Winston think the way the party wants him to.

Since Winston doesn’t think the way the party does O’Brien tries to convince him that he is crazy. It is quite ironic when O’Brien tells Winston that he is “unable to remember real events” when he really means that Winston is unable to grasp the reality of the unreal events the party puts out. They are trying to make him understand that nothing in the past exists. The party is trying to rid Winston’s mind of his craziness and make him think the right way.

In his interrogation there were three steps; first he had to learn about the party, then he had to understand the party. Only after these two steps were completed could Winston accept and love big brother and the party. And once he has accepted the party could he think the way they want him to. The party’s goal was to make Winston see that two plus two equals five.