1984

Orwell named his hero after Winston Churchill, England's great

leader during World War II. He added the world's commonest last

name: Smith. The ailing, middle-aged rebel can be considered in many

different lights.

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1. You'll have to decide for yourself whether Winston is a hero in

his secret battle with Big Brother, or whether he's only a sentimental

man with a death wish, who courts his death openly through an

illegal love affair and through his alliance with the enemies of Big

Brother.

a. If Winston is a 20th-century hero, it seems logical for him to

keep a diary even though he knows it will hang him. It is right for

him to follow his heart and have an affair with Julia. He is doing the

only possible thing by seeking out O'Brien and joining the

Brotherhood, which is committed to overthrowing Big Brother. Naturally

he will defy authorities even after he is captured and tortured,

trying to keep one last shred of personality intact.

b. If he's so heroic, why is he so foolhardy? It makes no sense

for him to create a permanent love-nest when he knows it will speed

his capture. "It was as though they were intentionally stepping nearer

to their graves," he thinks. A careful man would never open up to

O'Brien without knowing whether he is to be trusted. You can argue

that Winston's continuing defiance of the Party after his capture is

one more way of courting disaster. Do you think Winston secretly

enjoys torture? Although he confesses to everything they want him

to, he extends the torture by continuing his inner defiance- something

the Party seems to know. Winston's thoughts in Part Two, Section IV,

point to this interpretation.

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2. You can learn more about Winston by considering his view of sex

as a means of rebellion. He's divorced because his wife couldn't

produce the baby the Party expects, and wouldn't consider sex for

any other purpose because desire is Thoughtcrime. He is drawn to Julia

because she is "corrupt," which means she enjoys sex and has

previously taken several lovers. Knowing he will be punished, he falls

in love with her. Winston's ideal partner for the future is not Julia,

but the mountainous prole woman who hangs out the laundry for her many children. Another of Winston's ideal women, whom Winston writes

about in his diary, is the refugee mother protecting her child with

her own body. Orwell may be arguing that woman-as-mother is to be

honored, but any other kind of love is to be punished.

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3. Is the real love affair in Winston's mind, and is it with

O'Brien?