Winston the Rebel
Character is defined as “The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” Often times, it is through various outside experiences that drive these qualities to the surface. In the world that George Orwell has created in his novel, Nineteen Eighty Four, character in this sense does not exist. In a society where “it is terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander” (64) the individual is not left with enough freedom to be an individual. This is mainly due to the strict government of Oceania, called Big Brother, whose slogan; “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” is a good indication of its rigid, controlling, and undermining nature. Unlike the majority of the population of Oceania, Winston Smith hates the Party and strives to challenge and weaken it in anyway possible. In a society where everyone is turned one way we are introduced and captivated by Winston who is turned in the exact opposite direction, a rebel. Rebellion is what makes Winston and as he continues to rebel against the Party and Big Brother his own character is questioned and tested. It is not until the end of the novel when he is confronted with his biggest fear that he acts vastly different. In Nineteen Eighty Four, Orwell explores what happens when a rebellious individual is forced against the wave of conformity.
Even though every time Winston tried to say anything in the Ministry of Love O’Brien would completely shut him down, 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 still truly believes that he is right. As he is being forcefully and continuously told that he is wrong, Winston does not back down.
“We have beaten you, Winston. We have broken you up… You have been kicked and flogged and insulted, you have screamed with pain, you have rolled on the floor in your own blood and vomit.” As O’Brien continues to try to undermine Winston, Winston is able to defend himself with one answer: “I have not betrayed Julia” (283). The one promise that Winston and Julia made to each other, but also to themselves, before Winston was taken and tortured in the Ministry of Love, was that they would not betray each other. As O’Brien describes, the Party has physically and mentally tortured Winston however he has upheld his promise. This shows Winston’s true rebellious nature as well as his strength as he is in the most vulnerable position yet he is able to hold onto his own beliefs against the Party’s physical control over him.
Winston’s rebellious nature as whole is completely altered towards the very end of the novel when O’Brien threatens Winston with his biggest fear of rats. As Winston is helplessly strapped down O’Brien grimly explains, “Have you ever seen a rat leap through the air? They will leap onto your face and bore straight into it. Sometimes they attack the eyes first. Sometimes they burrow through the cheeks and devour the tongue” (296). Despite his avid resistance leading up to this point, Winston eventually gives into manipulation. Although he was able to endure a lot more than most probably would have been able to, Winston crumbled under his worst fear. Just before O’Brien released the rodents Winston cried out “Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don’t care what you do to her. Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia” (297). In order to save himself Winston knew he would have to conform and therefore not only betray his promise to Julia but also betray his own beliefs.
There are definite boundaries to each individual and maybe it is at the breaking point where it is most useful to analyze one’s character. Winston was able to put up a tough fight against conforming until he was threatened by his worst fear. He was selfless up until this point when he easily could have crumbled under the pressure and torture. As mentioned earlier, the fact that he was able to withstand such pain and suffering for the amount of time he did portrays great strength, self-determination, and pride. However, fear and manipulation lead to his breaking point, which ultimately reveals failure and distance from the rebel he is.
Orwell highlights both the power of the individual and the power of society, but shows that the strength of the government and social structure unfortunately dominates one’s personal force, despite their perseverance. In the end, Winston ultimately looses the battle to the Party and the rebel inside of him. Nineteen Eighty Four explores a side of twentieth century government that we often forget about today.
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