Part II, Chapter 7 includes the lines, “They can make you say anything — anything — but they can’t make you believe it. They can’t get inside you.”
This proclamation is critical to understanding 1984 and its depiction of the assault on freedom. A totalitarian regime might get the confession out of you, but it can’t force you to believe that confession or deny it was procured through torture. Your thoughts are still your own.
But the declaration begs the frightening thought of what if the state can make you believe what it wants you to believe, to believe it in your heart and soul as the truth.
This is a regime that controls the present by constantly changing and inventing the past. What if it can force you to believe its doctrines and even believe that you are grateful for the torture and brainwashing?
