184k views
3 votes
"Discuss how Winston is presented in each part of 1984 and how well Orwell develops him. Consider addressing the following or similar questions:

• How well does Winston handle his milieu and setting?
• What is revealed about Winston by foreshadowing? Are any developments surprising?
• What motivates Winston?
• Is Winston a round character (dynamic, changing, learning)? Or a flat character (static, unchanging, content)?"

User Gouldos
by
6.4k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

In George Orwell's '1984', Winston Smith evolves from a quietly dissenting individual to an active rebel and finally to a resigned victim of the Party's control showcasing his complex development as a round character. the oppressive setting foreshadows his struggles and the plot reflects his dynamic journey articulate in an omniscient narrative voice.

Step-by-step explanation:

Winston Smith, the protagonist in George Orwell's 1984, is intricately developed throughout the novel and is presented differently in each part, showcasing Orwell's attention to character development. In Part One, Winston is introduced as a fragile rebel, quietly dissenting against the Party by starting a diary. He struggles to maintain his facade of conformity, but his inner turmoil and skepticism are evident. Through the setting of dreary and oppressive Airstrip One, Orwell foreshadows Winston's eventual breaking; the setting itself heightens the tension, reflecting Winston's unrest.

In Part Two, Winston's character development intensifies as he falls in love with Julia and engages in an affair, his rebellion becoming more concrete and active. The plot thickens as he takes more significant risks, and his motivations become clearer: a yearning for freedom, truth, and human connection in a dehumanized society. This love affair is essential in revealing Winston's capacity for emotion and resilience, further shading him as a round character.

Part Three sees Winston captured, tortured, and eventually broken down by the Party, showcasing that despite his inner strength, the regime's power is absolute. His eventual acceptance of the Party's doctrine indicates a tragic character arc, rendering the story's resolution highly suspenseful and ultimately devastating. The dynamic nature of Winston's character is confirmed as he evolves from a hopeful dissident to a resigned and brainwashed citizen, underscoring Orwell's commentary on totalitarianism. Indeed, Winston becomes the embodiment of the individual's struggle under autocratic rule, and his journey poses questions about our human capacity to withstand oppressive forces in real-life contexts. Orwell's use of an omniscient third-person narrator ensures that the readers get a profound understanding of Winston's thoughts and feelings, enhancing the reader's engagement with his character. New Criticism or Formalism emphasizes understanding a character's evolution within the story, which is evident in Winston's transformation. Ultimately, Orwell delivers a character that is not just a flat archetypal figure but a complex, multifaceted human being, which is critical in making this literary work so compelling and thought-provoking.

User Ralle Mc Black
by
7.4k points