Them Or Us ? Thus !

Of all the plot points difficult to discuss
in the novel '1984', the role of the state
when it acts as a goad or agent provocateur
to Winston Smith's ideas about freedom
must rate as among the hardest
to clarify with any clarity.

Is his why the Chinese state permits
its subjects to read the book,
but discourages all discussion
of '1984' online? This must inhibit
personal one to one discussion
of what sort of society the book is
a mirror for, where it is easier
to believe the book only describes
the activities of foreign governments.

One point that every group defined
by its opposition to it's government,
that works well outside of Parliament
knows that it will attract provocateurs
from the government among its members.