1984 Reflection

Thinking back to my reflection from Thursday’s class on what 1984 is really about I still stand with my initial view that it is a novel about finding, or searching for the light at the end of the tunnel.  In a society where everyone is turned one way we are introduced and captivated by a character, Winston, who is trying to do the exact opposite.  This novel focuses on, and makes readers question the true meaning of character.  Winston’s ability to look past what is on the outside, the easy answer or way out, even when society is telling him the exact opposite speaks greatly to his character.  Towards the end of the novel as Winston is being tortured by O’Brien Winston puts up a good fight.  Even though every time Winston said anything O’Brien would shut him down completely Winston is still his own believer. For example, he reflects: “Whatever he said, the swift answer crushed him like a bludgeon.  And yet he knew, he knew, that he was right.  The belief that nothing exists outside your own mind- surely there must be some way of demonstrating that it was false” (275).  As Winston is being tortured, and even though he ultimately knows he cannot win with words, he knows deep down that he is right.  The fact that he is in the most vulnerable position at this point in the novel yet still is able to hold onto his own beliefs exemplifies how mentally strong of a person he is.

Though in the end Winston ultimately loses the battle to the Party, Big Brother, and O’Brien by asking to torture Julia instead of himself, I still am a firm believer that as a whole this novel is about character and finding oneself.  To the outside perspective it appears that Winston lost himself and his idea of character to the society he had been fighting against for years.  However, on the last page of the novel Winston reflects, “He had won the victory over himself” (308).  To me, this does not show that he gave up on himself, but rather he is mentally strong enough to do what he knows he has to do.  This change in thinking does not represent weakness in my eyes but power and strength to fight for oneself.