Creative Writing Assignment - Essay Example

Edmond looked at the child intently and thought, ‘this is the first day of my silence.’ He felt something stir inside him that he could only identifyas joy and yet there was also the thought of fear on the world his little girl would grow in. The moment he knew of her birth, Edmond had released a sigh of relief and gasped for a muffled sorrow. There was love for her tiny hands and her wondering eyes. That face of innocence pokes at his heart like a dagger, how he wonders until when that innocence could last.

Edmond laid her gently on the crib and watched as she fell deeply to sleep. Just with any other marriage, his was approved by the committee and certified by the Party. He knew very little about his wife Susan when they got married after Edmond has just turned 25 and she was 22. They seem fit to be wed and that was enough reason to do so. The committee seemed to agree by affirming their union. But what ensued after the marriage was something they did not expect. All their conception about marriage and the relationship between two people does not seem adequate to describe what they have.

They have nurtured a trusting acceptance of each other and where sex is deplorable at first, they have grown to enjoy it as much as the company of each other. It was beyond companionship. Susan’s first pregnancy proved difficult which led them to decide to stay at her mother’s house before her due up until the first month after giving birth. Lucy and Edmond knew nothing about childcare. Lucy, Susan’s mother, lives in an old beaten-up yet warm house with a spacious yard. The house is right next to a shop owned by a certain Mr.

Charrington. She is a typical matriarch up and about in her house incessantly cooking, washing and sweeping. She takes care of two other grandchildren. She had been a complete delight except for a few stories that she tells about life before the Revolution that even she can’t reconcile. Lucy at times mentions the change in Mr. Charrington since his wife’s death and how his entire business has turned shady. She even told him how she has seen a man peering outside one of the windows. Edmond dismissed all of these with a smile and a few neutral comments he figured could not hurt an old lady.

Hi figured his sporadic conversations which at times tend to be subversive is enough trouble for both of them. Lucy constantly cared for them and could not be more pleased to a new addition to the household squeals. He knew he was capable of doublethink and has proved to be a difficult albeit useful feature. She often remarked how they should both take personal care of their child and hinted at not allowing anything to come between them and their child. Edmond often wondered how this could be done but resolved to do the same thing even before the baby’s born.

He wanted to give the best to the baby even if this means going to the black market for precious milk, a few sweets and even butter perhaps. But he feared knowing what the Party could do not only to them but to the children they care for. There had been stories of children being taught to spy and inform on their parents of the slightest infractions in the schools. The cutthroat competition on Admissions upon examination also keeps him at night and what happens next if his own child does get into the Party.

He is already happy being a Prole. He is even amenable to the hush talks of a Brotherhood revolt. He hears Susan scream “It’s coming!” Edmond jumped from his seat and rushed to her. “Keep calm. I’ll bring you to the hospital. Where’s Lucy?” “She’s in the yard,” Susan yells. He went outside and saw Lucy pale as she could be looking at a window in Mr. Charrington’s. Edmond was in a panic and just rushed to tell her, “It’s time. We’ll be off to the hospital” as he quickly run back to his wife.

They rushed outside the door and just as they were a few meters away he saw a swarm of Thought Police going into the house barging into the yard. He felt a quick chill through his bones. He wondered if he’ll ever see Lucy again. He tried hard to shake it off so that Susan wouldn’t notice. It was the longest five hours of his life. He paced on and on in the hospital corridors when finally the doctor informed him that it’s a girl. They would name her Sabrina as they have already agreed. When it was time for him to first hold her, he had never felt so much anticipation and fear.

He hoped fervently this world was somewhat different. He abhorred the possibility of his own child turning against him. He was wary of saying the wrong words in front of her or that their love for her was not strong enough to overcome whatever she will be told. He was completely helpless. He was a parent in Oceania. He decided to remain as silent as he possibly could. This was a vow he had to make. It is the culmination of his newfound protest against Big Brother and the Party. A reticent existence.