Question

Respond to the following in the form of a short essay. Your essay should consist of at least five paragraphs.

George Orwell once offered this 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.
In Winston Smith, the protagonist of 1984, Orwell creates an ordinary person, an “everyman” who stands for all the oppressed citizens of Oceania. Yet, as the novel closes, Winston cries as his love for Big Brother overwhelms him. Is Winston the novel’s hero, by Orwell’s definition? Is he a hero that readers can admire and emulate? Explain your position by tracing Winston’s actions throughout the novel and considering the results of those actions.

Answer 1

Winston Smith, the protagonist of 1984, initially engages in heroic defiance against the oppressive regime, but his eventual capitulation to Big Brother's will signifies a failure to maintain his heroism by Orwell's definition. Thus, his initial acts are heroic, but his character as a whole does not embody continuous heroic resistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

In his novel 1984, George Orwell presents a dystopian society and introduces Winston Smith, an ordinary man who, in the beginning, appears to stand against the oppressive regime of Big Brother. However, by Orwell's definition, a hero is someone who acts against systems lacking human decency, regardless of the outcome. As the story progresses, Winston initially engages in acts of rebellion, such as entering a relationship with Julia and expressing his subversive thoughts in a diary. These acts are marks of heroism because they defy the totalitarian government's oppression and control. Even though he is captured and tortured, his resistance offers a glimmer of hope for change.

Unfortunately, Winston's ending does not quite align with Orwell's notion of heroism. After undergoing intense psychological and physical torture in the Ministry of Love, Winston's spirit is broken, and he betrays Julia, demonstrating that he has succumbed to the Party's will. His final act of love for Big Brother suggests complete indoctrination rather than heroic resistance. Considering this, Winston cannot be seen as a hero in the traditional sense, as his actions ultimately do not bring about any change, nor do they stand as a symbol of defiance against tyranny.

Nonetheless, Winston's character is complex, and there is a debate to be had about whether his initial defiance can qualify him as a hero, albeit a tragic one. Readers may admire his early courage but are likely to be dismayed by his eventual downfall. This complexity makes Winston a unique character in literature, as his journey compellingly portrays the power of an authoritarian regime to crush the human spirit.

Answer 2

“George Orwell once offered this 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.” In George Orwell's novel, 1984

Step-by-step explanation: