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Recommended: George Orwell 1984 symbolism

In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, Winston Smith is considered the protagonist of the novel. He is presented as an ordinary man who is a very intellectual and fragile person. Winston is 39 years old and works for The Ministry of Truth in Oceania where the story takes place. The Ministry of Truth is involved with news media, entertainment, the fine arts and educational books. Its purpose is to rewrite history and change the facts to fit the Party's biased and misleading beliefs which Winston absolutely hates. By the end of the novel, based on Winston actions, he is questioned by readers on rather or not he is considered a hero according to George Orwell's definition of heroism: "ordinary people doing whatever they can to change social systems that do not respect human decency, even with the knowledge that they can’t possibly succeed." Though Big Brother never actually appears in the novel, and though he may not actually exist, he is recognized as the ruler of Oceania. Everywhere Winston looks he sees Big Brother’s face on posters reading “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.” Big Brother’s image is even broadcasted on the unavoidable telescreens used as surveillance cameras which helps keep all Outer Party members under close supervision by the Thought Police. At the beginning of the story we learn that Winston bought a dairy from an ordinary store. “Party members were supposed not to go into ordinary shops ('dealing on the free market', it was called).” Oppressed, he starts a diary of his rebellious thoughts against Big Brother and the Party. When Winston sees Julia at the two minute hate, an intense mass rally in which they are required to express hatred for Oceania’s rival nations, we found out that he's seen her around and althoug... ... middle of paper ... ...ationship. He looks up at the picture of Big Brother on the telescreen and smiles because he now realizes he loves Big Brother. Many would like to consider Winston a hero but sadly can't because he ends up being defeated by the Party. Although Winston did not succeed he did what he could by rebelling against the Party in hopes of changing the government. According to George Orwell's definition of heroism you don't have to necessarily succeed in order to be considered a hero. The simple fact that Winston, an ordinary man, did what he could in order to change the government even though he knew he might not succeed makes him a hero. In my opinion Winston is a hero that readers can admire and emulate because he stood up for what he believed in although he was defeated at the end and no longer dreams of revolution he did something most people wouldn’t do which was try.

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