1984 Post 9: Is it Really a Fear of Rats?

Winston has a fear of rats. For what reason it does not say, but nonetheless, he is terrified of them. So much that it breaks him and tells O’ Brien to “do it to Julia instead”. But is it really a phobia that Winston has, or is the author in actuality trying to tell us something behind the fear of rats. Rats are small brained little animals that are used for experiments, looking for cheese and learn to follow whatever it is scientists want them to do. What if the same goes for the people in the party? The only difference is that scientist look for how the rodents absorb the information and how they learn. Big Brother just wants to use it for power. To make sure they continue doing what they are supposed to do and follow the little maze that gets them to the cheese. Winston is unlike the rest of them, before entering room 101 anyways. He wished and hoped for the day that the rebellion would come for him so he wouldn’t have to live in the conformity of thoughts and self expression. In the end he became just like the rest of them. What is the author is saying instead of fear rats, he fared becoming a rat? He fears being another person that just did what they were supposed to do and follow the little maze that was meant to followed instead of breaking its walls down. This hidden symbolism is the author’s way of reiterating the idea that Winston mentions earlier in the book that “your nervous system ends up being your own enemy”. He was scared of himself losing that rebellious spirit and becoming another mindless rat.