Part 1: Chapter 8

1) Do party members ever spend time alone?  Explain.

It is considered unorthodox to be alone, because when one is alone they tend to think a lot more, and ponder ideas. The Party is not a fan of thinking, so it is abnormal to loiter around or be alone.
 
2) What is “ownlife”?

Ownlife is the enjoyment of being by yourself, which the Party will see as very suspicious.

3) What is a “steamer”?

A steamer is the prole term for a rocket. The proles refer to it when it hits nearby and explodes.

4) What is Winston wearing that makes him stand out to the proles?

Winston is wearing his blue coveralls, which makes him stand out as a Party member to the proles.

5) What does Winston do to the human hand he finds in the gutter? What does this say about Winton’s previous experiences?

Winston kicks the hand away into the gutter, after only a slight bit of disgust towards it. This action makes it seem as though this was a usual occurrence for Winston to have, as if this is a common occurrence and Winston in desensitized to this.

6) How do proles feel about the Lottery? What is the truth about the Lottery?

The proles spend a lot of time hoping to win the lottery, when in reality the grand prize is not worth much, and any big prizes were awarded to imaginary people. The Lottery's main purpose is to keep the prole's minds busy and entertained, so they don't take notice of the Party's injustices.

7) Why does Winston feel that “it could only be a prole” (p.90) who could give a “truthful account of conditions in the early part of the century”?

Winston feels like this because everyone who is a member of the Party is already brainwashed or too afraid to tell him anything of the past. However, the proles could have the answers he wants because they haven't been forced to forget a life before the Revolution.

8) What question does Winston ask the man in the bar? What does Winston conclude at the end of the conversation with the man?

Winston asks the man about life before the Revolution, and if he felt more free than he does now. Winston finds that this man's memory is fleeting, as would most people who lived before the Revolution. Because of this answer, Winston concludes that the people who did live before the Revolution were very likely to not remember much of their past.

9) Describe the glass object Winston buys in the antique shop. (p99) Why is it “doubly attractive”?

Winston buys a glass paperweight with a piece of coral inside it. He feels that it is 'doubly attractive' because it is useless, yet still beautiful. This sort of object is something members of the Party rarely come across, as everything they use has a purpose, and such items as this are considered suspicious.
 
10) What is the name of the owner of the antique shop?

Mr. Charrington is the owner of the antique shop and he is widowed.

11) When Winston runs into a female party member, what does he first consider doing and why does he change his mind?

  Winston considers killing the girl because he feels threatened by her, but then decides not to because it would require too much effort.