The Importance Of Winston's Torture

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Winston’s torture takes place within the liminal location of the Ministry of Love: an unknown holding cell which exploits fear as a means of regulating behaviour. The novel repeatedly suggests Winston’s eventual captivity because of its persistent references to being beneath ground. In his memories he mentions the air raid shelter during the bombing of Colchester and, significantly, his disturbing sexual encounter with a prole woman takes place in her basement. Although his position within the Ministry of Love is never confirmed, these prior images of burial and suppression foreshadow not only his physical location within the prison, but also his symbolic death. Everything about his environment is artificial and tightly controlled, from the