Throughout the process of reading the novel, I will ask you to analyze the setting and the responses characters have to the setting. The explanation and questions below will help you analyze these two aspects of the novel.
SETTING – How is the world within the novel flawed, corrupted, fallen? How do its flaws reveal flaws in the modern world?
"Something is rotten in the state of..."
These dystopias are all set in some imagined version of the future, but each of these future is based on some aspects of the modern world. (In the modern world, we have video surveillance. In 1984, every moment of life is under video surveillance.) The authors ask the question "What if this or that aspect of modern life were to grow, to expand, to take over? How would human life change?" In dystopian novels the authors are especially interested in how certain aspects of modern life could worsen human existence or could so radically change it that being human would become unrecognizable.
While reading your novel consider the question, what aspects of modern life appear (perhaps in an exaggerated or expanded or intensified form) in the novel? How does the novel critique these aspects of modern life? How does the novel function as warning to the modern reader? How does the novel warn against expanding and intensifying some of the beliefs and behaviors made possible in the modern world?
Then, evaluate the critique of modern life. How revelant is the critique? In other words, how likely is the sort of future presented in the dystopia? Or, how likely is something *like* the future presented in the dystopia? And, how similar are aspects of *our* world to aspects of the novel?
Then, consider whether you agree or disagree with the implied critique? (For those reading 1984, Is video surveillance really that bad? Would it be better if there were more of it in our world? Or for those reading Oryx and Crake what do you think about genetic engineering in the novel and in our world? Think along these lines.)
CHARACTERS – How do characters respond to living in a flawed, corrupted world?
"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,/And by opposing end them?"
How do the characters respond to the dystopia, the flaws in her or his world? Do they suffer the slings and arrows? Do they take arms against a sea of troubles? What do they do? How do they assert (or not assert) their sense that the world is broken, corrupt, flawed, an unweeded garden? Or do they not have that sense? Do they see nothing wrong with the world as it is?
Consider what each of the major characters thinks about the world within the novel and how each of the major characters responds to it. (The answers will vary from character to character. The characters in Hamlet see the world quite differently and they respond quite differently too. The same will be true in your novel.)
20 comments:
Meghan Ciaramitaro
3/17/08
SETTING
In George Orwell’s 1984, the world is very much corrupt. Every move, word, and action is watched by “Big Brother.” Those in this novel must be extremely conscious of what the do and say, for they could be locked up for it at any moment. However, things are not illegal, “This was not illegal (nothing was illegal, since there were no longer any laws)…” (9.) Orwell tries to connect with the modern world by use of video surveillance and he shows the reader a world where people end up being frightened of every action they participate in. He perfectly satirizes what life would be like, if the each and every person was constantly being watched. Although this is something that could never happen, if it did, more trouble would be caused than alleviated. Always having the fear of being watch could drive one crazy.
CHARACTERS
The characters in 1984 are mainly under control of “Big Brother,” with the exception of the main character Winston Smith. He is the character written so the reader will have something to relate to in this crazy world. Winston is against this constant surveillance, but has not done anything about it. In the beginning of the novel, he purchased a diary; when he wrote in it true thoughts came out of his mind, such as, “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” (21.) This however, was a thought crime. Winston doesn’t seem happy with the way they live in Oceania, although, he hasn’t known any other way of life.
SETTING:
The depiction of the World according to George Orwell in the novel 1984 is that of extremes. The novel is centered around the fact that everyone is so extremely monitored, and with that comes betrayal. Anything that goes against the "Big Brother" can be seen as betrayal of the government. This makes most people very skeptical of others. In this society, the children become more and more concious of their parents decisions and think that what they are doing is wrong. "With those children, he though, that wretched woman must lead a life of terror. Another year, two years, and they would be watching her night and day for symptoms of unorthodoxy. Nearly all children nowadays were horrible. What was worst of all was that by means of such organizations as the Spies they were systematically turned into ungovernable little savages, and yet this produced in them no tendency whatever to rebel against the discipline of the Party..." The children are systematically becoming more and more mechanical, and less human. This is somewhat an idea that is going on in the World today. As the children become more and more separated by generations, they become more and more rebellious which could lead to problems.
CHARACTERS:
Characters respond to the children becoming more and more distant from even their own parents in a way that can only be heard through narration. If these parents were to say anything about the government and how they are ruining their children then they will be immediately killed. Anyone that goes against what the government is trying to do is seen as a criminal. The main character, Winston, can see the children betraying their parents and just sees it as a shame. But nothing can really be said because of fear for the "Thought Police."
SETTING
In George Orwell's novel, 1984, the entire world is controlled and extremely frightened by their leader called "Big Brother." The concept of video surveillance has taken over and now is being applied to every square inch of human life. In today's society, video surveillance has become a key tool in many different aspects. Orwell's satire depicts this prior statement and simply exaggerates it. This surveillance is provided by Big Brother so crime can be non-existent, hence the elimination of laws. However, there are thought crimes which can be done by doing something/even thinking about going against the world's state. Another thing that is different about this world is that the need for dates is unnecessary. The main character in the book, Winston Smith, only thinks that it is 1984 because all sense of time has been forgotten.
CHARACTERS
The few characters I have come to know in Orwell's novel are in total control of Big Brother. However, Smith is not. I think Orwell chooses to have the main character to be able to resist Big Brother's charisma because he wants his readers to see how an outsider would respond to this world. To get a better idea of how influential Big Brother is to the rest of the world, there is a thing called the Two Minute Hate, where a video is played to everyone daily and they become hysterical with fear. I think this Two Minute Hate is added to the satire to remind all the characters in the book to fear and obey Big Brother. An interesting event involving Winston happens in the first chapter or two, where he is about to write in his diary when his mind begins to wander. After his mind is back to reality, he sees that he has written , "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER" several times in his notebook, which would be considered a thought crime.
SETTING
George Orwell's 1984 consists of a society completely controlled by "Big Brother". "Big Brother" is basically like video surveillance taken to the extreem. The society is very corrupt with everyone fearing "Big Brother". The face of "Big Brother" is everywhere from on coins to on book covers to the walls with the slogans of the Party: "WAR IS PEACE" "FREEDON IS SLAVERY" "IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH" (6). "Big Brother" has control over everyone. "The hypnotic eyes gazed into his own. It was as though some huge force were pressing down upon you-something that penetrated inside your skull, battering against your brain, frightening you out of your belief, persuading you, almost, to deny the evidence of your senses. In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to belive it" (89). Although there are no laws, a person can commit thought crime and be taken away immediately or even vaporized; which is when people vanish and are written out of the society like they never existed. The Party does not like people who are "too intelligent" or see "too clearly" and speak "too plainly" (59). In this world time is not considered to be that important. The main character, Winston, only thinks that the year is 1984 but is not certain. History is constantly being re-written and changed around. Not many people can recall what life was like before the "Revolution". With telescreens watching their every move, people of Oceania have to be very careful of what they say and what they do. This novel exaggerates the aspect of life being monitored and watched constantly. In today's world there are devices sich as surveillance cameras but not ones that watch the every move of every person in the world. Although this would provide access to the illegal things people do, it would just make matters worse. It would make people rebel and get out of control.
CHARACTERS
The main character of the novel is Winston Smith. He lives in the world of "Big Brother" but does not agree with its ways. He shows his first signs of rebellion right away. Winston has purchased a small book similar to a diary. He writes down his thoughts of which include "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER" (21). As he is writing in his book he realizes that his risk of getting caught by the Thought Police is increasing. As the novel goes on, Winston fantisizes about this girl he sees at work. Eventually his fantasy becomes reality. Winston and Julia have an affair going on which is quite risky even though Winston is no longer living with his wife. Julia does not agree with "Big Brother" and the ways of the Party either. Their affair continues and they go against "Big Brother" in various ways. Both have heard of this underground organization called the Brotherhood that is against the Party that they wish to join. Members must be prepared to "...do anything which is likely to cause demoralization and weaken the power of the Party" (188). Orwell has chosen for the main character to be rebellious and against the Party becuase it gives the reader someone to relate to. Winston knows that his world is corrupt and is showing that he wants to go against it.
Setting:
Orwell sets the story in a world where every characters actions and thoughts are watched inorder to satirize modern life. In our world today, people are constantly judged and watched just not to the extent that is used in the novel. The characters in 1984 are corrupted by "Big Brother" because they have to live the way he wants or they are locked up. The extremeness of the setting really makes you realize how awful it would be to have your every move monitored and how corrupted people would become. Orwell did a good job at satirizing this aspect of life.
Characers:
Every character in the novel in being watched by "Big Brother" with the exception of Winston Smith. I think Orwell made Winston's character different so that we would have someone to relate to. Winston is against the whole idea of a monitored society and he writes about it in his diary even though it is a thought crime. All the other characters are so afraid that they obey "Big Brother" even though they may not believe that he is right. This shows how corrupted people can become when they are forced to live a certain way.
SETTING – George Orwell is taking things like surveillance, individualism, corrupt governments and exaggerating the negative or positive aspects of them. He creates an atmosphere in 1984 that seems, to us, an impossibly dirty, cold, miserable existence. Because of the corrupt party leader “big brother” and his doublethink methods, people are programmed and conditioned to think that the conditions they live in are better than they ever where. Members of the party wear blue overalls, every member is required to wear them. This, along with the doublethink methods essentially thinking for the people, no one is individual. No one wants to be sticking out in any way; it would draw attention to the thought police and next thing you know you’re vaporized from behind. Everyone is skeptical of each other, and everyone is scared of each other. Surveillance is everywhere; the telescreens watch everyone’s move, along with the spies, and more recently the children. Someone or something is watching everyone, which creates a tense feeling throughout the novel. Another way Orwell creates an atmosphere that doesn’t feel right, is the time, “ the clock struck thirteen” (p.1)….what?!?! Also, after the two minutes hate, people were chanting B-B B-B standing for Big Brother. They do this in a time of stress, a sort of self-hypnotic chanting, like those over zealous “reborn” Christians. Also the “ministry of love”, is a place of torture.
CHARACTERS – Winston Smith like many other unimportant characters in 1984 has adapted his face to appear the way it is supposed to appear during; 2 min hate, in front of the telescreen and other party members ect. If you have not adapted to this unspoken requirement then you’re going to get caught by the thought police. Characters like the Parsons children, who are members of the junior spies, are images of what “big brother” has created, and had wanted to create. Now everyone is watching everyone else, looking for thought criminals, unorthodoxy, anything that goes against Big Brother.
SETTING
The world that George Orwell creates in 1984 is meant to frighten and disturb its readers with the thought of constant surveillance. With constant surveillance through the telescreens, the people of the society are drawn into complete orthodoxy, where they follow what the society promotes and disproves of what the society does not. Close relationships have ceased to exist in this world; everyone is supposed to call everyone else comrade, nothing more; and thus, loyalty is hard to come by. The smallest glance or look in one’s eyes could hint toward unorthodoxy or even betrayal of the Party and its leader “Big Brother,” if anyone was to that glance or look; even a child, you could be “vaporized” one night and cease to exist entirely.
CHARACTERS
The main character in George Orwell’s, 1984 is Winston Smith. Action-wise he is an orthodox Party member, thought-wise he is against everything it promotes. He is capable of hiding his thoughts and keeping them to himself, except for when he shares his thoughts with the journal that he bought. Winston is the character that the reader is supposed to connect with, and the character that the reader wants to triumph over the world’s horrible exaggerations. Winston wants to believe that there are other people in the world in 1984 that have thoughts like he does, and he does meet someone who does. Julia (last name unknown), also is against what the Party promotes, but unlike Winston she doesn’t really feel the need to do anything about it. She rather break all the rules than change them.
SETTING
In 1984, by George Orwell, corruption can clearly be pointed out in this fictional future. From the "Big Brother" program to the telescreens in every household, the reader experiences a twisted version of what can be our government. A system that can control the minds of the people through the availability to see it all. In our world we have things like the Patriot Act, which allow the government to see only some of our privacy. In 1984, Orwell expresses the possibility that this could easily be exaggerated and lead us into a world similair to his disfunctional dystopia.
CHARACTERS
Most of the characters seem lined with the system. They follow the rules and show no expression. The main character, Winston, on the other hand sees the wrong and expresses his feelings through a diary. He also later discovers he is not alone, when he meets this girl. Strange at first, Winston beleives it is a trap, later to discover she knows the evil of the system.
Michael McGovern
Setting
In George Orwell's novel 1984, the reader finds a world were everyone in the country is being monitered by "Big Brother." The characters in the novel are monitered to such extent that they can not even do what they want in their own homes. People in this society are even arrested for thought crimes. While some characters such as Winston are able to get around the constant survailance, he is certain that he will eventually will be caught and be punished for his actions. The new government also does other things to further their control such as constantly changing history, One of the Party's slogans is "Who controls the past controls the future: Who controls the present controls the past." The government lies who they have been to war with and they go to war with countries who they recently had treaties with. No citizen publicly questions this because they are all under survailance and would be punished for it.
Characters
The main character in this novel is Winston Smith. The reader finds out early that Winston is reluctant to follow the party's rules right from the start of the novel. He finds a way to hide from Big Brother and writes his unorthadox thoughts in it. The characters in the novel are also forced to follow the party. This is shown when the citizens are watch the "Two minute hate." This is when a rebellious former member of the party is shown on the televison and the citizens must publicly scream and yell and show how much they hate him. Even though Winston joins in on the two minute hate, the reader is still able to see that he is unhappy with the society and wishes it was different. By including Winston in the novel, Orwell is able to show that there is resentment and unrest in a world controlled by fear and is under constant survailance.
SETTING
The first sentence of 1984 hurls the reader into a blatantly corrupt world. "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen" suggests that time is skewed in Orwell's world. This parallels the way time tends to be abused in our modern world. Time tends to be spent working miserably as opposed to living comfortably. This concept is also illustrated when Winston can't remember what the date is. Everything in Orwell's society is under video surveilance. No one acts naturally because they know that they could be being watched. In our modern world privacy is a rising issue with phone tapping becoming legal, and the pressures of the society we've created making people uncomfortable to act instinctually. It's horrifying to realize that the 3 slogans of the Party "war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength" apply to our society...but they do. As of late, the only way peace has been allegedly grasped at is through war, Americans are slaves to money and technology in exchange for freedom, and the only way to be happy and feel proud is to be ignorant of the corruption around you.
CHARACTERS
It's interesting that Orwell began the novel with Winston because Winston isn't completely invested in the society he lives in. Although he doesn't fight it, he is to some degree aware of the corrupted things that surround him. Winston's current state is reminiscent of the limbo that so many Americans linger in today. Despite his constant uneasiness he chooses not to assert himself.
SETTING
In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, a frightening leader named “Big Brother” controls the world. Giant posters and signs hang everywhere stating, “Big Brother is Watching You.” The people of Oceania are monitored and watched constantly by telescreens. People are not allowed to do what they want in their own homes and they are even arrested for things such as thought crimes. If a person is ever caught committing a crime that goes against the Party, you will be “vaporized” and cease to exist. Also the government is completely corrupt and does things such as change history to make previous things that they say or do to be “fact.”
CHARACTERS
The main character in George Orwell’s 1984 is Winston Smith. We find out at the beginning of the novel that Winston does not agree with the Party’s ideas and how corrupt the government is. Unable to share his true thoughts of the party and the government with the other people of Oceania, he finds a way to avoid the telescreens and expresses his feelings in a diary. Winston wants to believe that there are other people like him in Oceania that are aware of the corruption, but he is afraid he will be caught if he attempts to connect with someone.
Michael McGovern
Setting
Second Response
The setting of 1984 shows how corrupt the world has become. As the reader gets further into the novel, they see what the society has done to the people. Big Brother has made it so that history is always changed and convinces people that they are well fed and happy and though they are actually starving and scared. Big Brother has such a pull over the citizens, he made them beleive they were at war with Eastasia for a long time even though they had a treaty with them literally minutes before. Also, by having the setting be a run down, poor London, Orwell is able to show the extent of Big Brother's authority. By having the people be convinced they are doing well even though they aren't. Big Brother also uses Newspeak as a way to maintain control and survailance. If everyone speaks a language that doesn't allow them to express rebellious thoughts, no one would rebel and the government would have no issues.
Characters
Winston Smith is the main character in the novel and despises Big Brother. From the beginning of the novel he is rebellious and doesn't want to go along with the rules. After Winston meets Julia, they both begin to break the rules. They move into a room owned by Mr. Charrington which they beleive is not monitered. Both Winston and Julia continue to rebel against Big Brother by meeting with O'Brien about rebelling and reading a book that endorses revolution. However, they both are eventually betrayed by O'Brien and Mr. Charrington and they are tortured. Even though Winston is tortured, he is able to still retain his hatred for Big Brother and not give up Julia. Winston eventually gives in when they threaten to have rats eat his face.(Rats are his biggest fear.) He then claims at the end of the novel that he loves Big Brother. By having Winston in the novel, Orwell was able to show how a society that is always watching is able to stop those who rebel. Winston thought he was hiding from Big Brother the whole time when in actuallity, they always knew what he was doing. Orwell did this to show that Big Brother is always watching even when you think he is not.
Setting
As one reads on in George Orwell's 1984, the idea of a world being constantly watched becomes even stricter. More details and ideas on how to achieve a perfect world begin to show up in Orwell's satirization. In the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to understand that Thought Crimes are against the rules of Big Brother, but as the story goes on, the seriousness of Big Brother's plan to create a perfect world becomes more evident. The main character in the bool, Winston Smith, recalls a situation where he sees someone walking by him on the street, and notices the man give a reflexive wince that would surely get him vaporized according to the rules of Big Brother. Orwell includes this flashback of Winston's memory to show how intense Big Brother's laws are.
CHARACTER
Further on in the novel, the reader begins to learn more about Winston's opinion about Big Brother's dictatorship. It seems as if everyone in the book agrees with the rules within the World except for Winston. However, he does obey them only because his life would be terminated otherwise. As a matter of fact, his job is one that helps with the creation of a perfect world under Big Brother. His job is simple, he takes stories that have been written, such as news stories or documentaries, and rewrites them in order to eliminate any sense of opnionated statements. Orwell includes Julia, in my opinion, in order to have someone to rebel against Big Brother with Winston, since it is obvious that he craves to do so.
Emily Philpott
Setting:
The setting of the novel really helps to show what the corruption has done to the society. Throughout the story, we are able to see how the ways of Big Brother pay a great toll on the people and how it continuously gets worse. By having the story take place in a poor part of London the reader is able to picture what life was like and how that society was crumbling uncer the rule of such a strict leader. Big Brother told his people what they wanted to hear even though it wasn't true.
Character:
Winston was a very crucial character to have in this novel. He was very rebellious and him and Julia had no respect for Big Brother. The two went against the rules he had set and refused to live by them. When they move in with Mr. Charrington they believe that they are not being watched even though they really are. Mr Charrington ends up betraying them in the end just the way Big Brother betrays his society by lying to them. By having characters like Winston and julia, we are able to understand how corrupt the society is because they don't believe in it. Their actions agaisnt Big Brother help to show how ridiculous his ways really are and the toll that they have on their society.
Setting:
The setting of 1984 would not be as imaginative stimulating had it not been something that the reader could relate to. The setting is in a run down London city, but what is more important is not the actual city, but the castes of people. The characters are either high up in the inner party, or one of the average Joe’s if you will in the outer party. There is not a great emphasis on this part of the novel because it does not seem to be the biggest deal, but by having the character whom the reader feels the most for, Winston, in the outer party puts anyone in the inner party at a disposition. The fact that most people always want something that they cannot have, no matter how hard they work is something that plays very well for Orwell. By placing Winston in a lower class, in a run-down city gives the reader that feeling of hope, and wants the reader to continue to read and see if this man ever finds what he is working so hard for. From a modern standpoint, the setting plays mind games just like the characters behavior do. Seeing the fear that these characters have just because they cannot live freely is enough to make the reader very unhappy. It is aggravating to ever see someone suffer because they do not have the freedom that you so willingly disregard. This allows for passionate expansion and is a key to the novel’s success.
Character:
Orwell puts the reader in an emotional surf so that in the end, when Winston betrays himself, there is that angry emotion. There is a certain faith that is broken when you are pulling for something or someone and they just conform to what they have been fighting against the whole time. When the underdog doesn’t come out on top, there is at first anger, but then sadness. This situation causes the reader to assess the situation in a different way, because their hero did not come out successful, but something needs to be done. In reading this novel, the readers must become the hero and put themselves in the situation. Because you are pulling for the main characters, when they are betrayed you are almost happy because you think that they will turn everything around. However, that is not the case, and your favorite people behave just as anyone else would, causing the great affect of the novel. The fact that even the best of characters and personality cannot overcome the conflict shows the true influence of fear and corruption.
Ben Moore
Second Response
Setting
As the reader moves forward in the novel 1984, they continue to see the effects of the corrupt government on the environment and society. The reader witnesses how much power their leader, Big Brother, has over them by constantly making them believe they are happy with their lives even though they are tired and live in fear. He has so much control over the citizens that they will believe him even right after he contradicts himself in a speech. The reader can see Big Brother’s effect on the environment because the novel takes place in a run-down, falling apart London city. Everybody is so busy with their jobs and are continually reminded that everything is perfect in their lives that the citizens don’t even realize how rundown the city actually is. Orwell’s satirization of how to achieve a perfect world shows through Big Brother’s idea that if everyone is happy and are always being watched then the government should have no problems.
Characters
In 1984 the reader is most connected with Winston who secretly hates Big Brother and all that he stands for in the Oceania. The reader learns more about Winston and how he feels about Big Brother and the government as the novel moves on. It seems as though he is the only one in this society that is against Big Brother and he is having a hard time trying to find someone else who is because it is too dangerous. At one point he even contemplates suicide but then meets Julia who also is against the government. They meet each other to rebel against Big Brother and rent a room owned by Mr. Charrington, which they believe is not monitored, so that they can talk with O’Brien about revolution. The truth is that the room is monitored and O’Brien and Mr. Charrington betray them both. They are both tortured and both betray each other. In the end the government’s corruption overrules.
SETTING
As Orwell's novel goes on the reader is able to see how corrupt and flawed the world of 1984 is. It seems as though no one else is touched by the fact that "Big Brother" is lying to them except for Winston. Along with a girl named Julia, Winston continues to rebell and go against the wishes of "Big Brother". The past continues to change almost daily. Oceania was said to have been at war with Eurasia one day then the next day it says that they have been at war with Eastasia for years. "Big Brother" is constantly lying to the people who all but Winston believe it. "Big Brother" does not tolerate people who in a snese think too much or do not accept what is. These people are either vaporized or tortured until then are convinced of the "Big Brother" ways. Once a person has proven that they accept, believe in, and love the ways of "Big Brother" they are set free. In order to get people to do this they are brought as close as possible to their worst fear and even death.
CHARACTERS
The main character Winston continues on with his rebellious ways along with Julia. In the end they are both caught by the people who they thought were on their side (Mr. Charrington and O'Brien). From the beginning Winston thought he was getting himself into a trap but felt so strongly against "Big Brother" that he went along anyway. In the end it was a trap. The entire time he and Julia thought that they were not being watched but in reality they were. "Big Brother" saw all of their rebellious actions from having an affair to reading "The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism" by Goldstein. Once caught they were separated and tortured. Winston was tourchered so badly for an amount of time he did not even know. Winston was able to believe in his hatred for "Big Brother" and not betray Julia until he was faced with "the worst thing in the world" (310). This "thing" varies from person to person and in Winston's case it was rats. These rats were going to be released to tear up and eat his face. There is just some things in the world that are unendurable for a person. As O'Brien puts it: "If you have come up from deep water it is not cowardly to fill your lungs with air. It is merely an instinct which cannot be disobeyed" (311). Winston had to give in at that point. His instinct made him just as it would make him take a deep breath after coming up from being under water. The end of the novel is not what any reader has been hoping for the entire time. Winston is brainwashed into believing, accepting, and loving "Big Brother". It took a lot of torture but he is finally convinced that "2+2=5". By having Winston not overcome the control of "Big Brother", Orwell shows how corrupt and influential a society could be. The reader wants to expect a happy ending but Orwell does not give it to them which (like Hannah said) shows the true influence of fear and corruption over a society and a single person.
Meghan Ciaramitaro
second response
SETTING
As the story continues, Orwell's satire deepens. This world of corruption has had a great effect on society. The consistancy of being watched only intensifies throughout the novel and shows the reader how unreal the world is. The main character, Winston, continues to show familiarity to the reader because he has a different mindset than the other characters. Because his thinking is considered "normal" to the reader, it strengthens the feeling of true distruction and corruption by Big Brother. A world like this could never exsist in modern time. People need some sense of freedom in their lives, otherwise they will eventually become crazy and they will rebel. Mind washing can only proceed so far, a person can only believe something for so long before they realize its true problems.
CHARACTER
Orwell writes Winston as a character the reader will continuously love throughout the novel. However, by the end, a once respected character will dissapoint the reader because he finally gives in to Big Brother. He made it through so much hurt and torture in the end, but gave up because he couldnt take it anymore. This action, although sad, creates a strong connection to the reader. Winston experiences broken trust with Mr. Charrington. He endures his betrayal and then endless torture, but even after all that, he gives in. This is because he couldnt handle facing his fear; something many people in the modern world have trouble with each day. Big Brother wins with corruption once more and in a world like the one in 1984, there is no beating the system.
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