How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
It was tragic, all right, but George and Hazel couldn't think about it very hard. (3)
George and Hazel aren't too broken up by the fact that their son has just been kidnapped. They do what the government tells them, right down to their very emotions. At least there's no sadness in the world anymore, right?
Quote #2
George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. (3)
We might as well start calling the government the Thought Police. They're not only trying to change the way people look and act, but they're manipulating the way they think. Criticism of alarmist fears about socialism? Or a warning about just how bad it could be?
Quote #3
[George's] thoughts fled in panic, like bandits from a burglar alarm. (6)
The simile of "bandits from a burglar alarm" make it seem like even thinking is a bad idea at best, illegal at worst. On a subconscious level, George seems to notice that there's something wrong with how society works, but it hasn't quite bubbled to the surface yet.