On the day of his arrival in The Village, Number 2 did manage to get the Prisoner to give the time of his birth. But the Prisoner perhaps thought that to do so would do no harm because in all probability they knew it anyway, seeing as they had a complete file on his life. As for Number 2, he thought that once the Prisoner had given one piece of information away, all the rest of that priceless information inside his head would follow. It didn’t. So Number 2 arranged to take the Prisoner to the Labour Exchange and an interview with the manager there. Perhaps he thought that the Prisoner would volunteer some information by filling in a questionnaire, details of race, religion, hobbies, what he likes to read, what he likes to eat. What he was, what he wants to be. Any family illnesses, any politics? But the Manager was wasting his time, especially as it would seem that everything he wants he can obtain from the Prisoner’s file which Number 2 leaves with him. But the Manager appears to be more concerned about putting his tinker toy back together, I hope there’s nothing symbolic in that!
Be seeing you
Aren't we seeing the cog in the machine rebelling against the order? Or perhaps, the individual facing the threat of being made into a cog - of the Village, for the time being?
ReplyDeleteAll that's in his head, secret knowledge or family illnesses etc., he's supposed to give away. But he won't do it. While today, in the days of "social" media, people give away almost anything from date of birth to LIKEs and dislikes, bank account numbers and predilections for something, delicate or not. On a voluntary basis. - BCNU!
Hello Arno,
DeleteYes, I suppose it could be put in those terms. Yes I like your interpretations very much.
One thing is for certain, although Number 6 had resigned his job, he was still loyal. He wasn't perpared to give any information away, not even about any projects he had heard about, not even headings of those projects.
Today people are all too ready to give away information about themselves all too easily. What they are doing, what they would like to do, and sometimes to the smallest detail, most of it trivial rubbish which no-one could have the slightest interest in. Its as though people have a deep need to tell someone, anyone....to tell the World in fact! But more importantly people also give away the most important details. There is still a lesson to be learned from the Prisoner, even today.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU