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Winston Smith: A True Hero

Decent Essays

The main character in George Orwell’s 1948 novel, 1984, Winston Smith can be seen as many things. To some, he may be a hero, but to others he is a coward and a fool. Throughout the novel, Winston’s characteristics are explored, and readers are shown the reasoning behind Winston’s twisted mind. It is evident that although Winston thinks he had control over his own mind and body, this is an imagined factor. The world of 1984 is one of a totalitarian society, where no one can be trusted, and no one is safe, Winston being the primary example of one who trusted thoughtlessly. Winston, despite his flawed nature and his cryptic thoughts, could be seen as somewhat of a hero, he got the girl, he found a flaw in the system, he attempted to join a rebellion …show more content…

Usually heroes are strong, but some readers are more used to female heroes, where in it could be argued that Julia is actually the main hero, in Orwell’s eyes, as she is brave, headstrong and until she met Winston, she was getting by quite well. Usually, in novels, the stronger character is the hero, the weaker one is sometimes the love interest but foolish Winston is weak and hopeless and is not the hero, more like the one who needs saving. Julia could effectively be the hero, as arguably, she is the one who saved Winston. She is not a fool like Winston, but she trusts him and that is her mistake. Winston Smith: It's not so much staying alive, it's staying human that's important. What counts is that we don't betray each other. J: “If you mean confessing, we're bound to do that. Everybody does. You can't help it.” W: “I don't mean confessing. Confessing isn't betrayal. I mean feelings. If they can make me change my feelings. If they can stop me from loving you, that would be real betrayal.” J: “They can't do that. It's the one thing they can't do. They can torture you, make you say anything. But they can't make you believe it. They can't get inside you. They can't get to your heart. “ It is clear that Julia, unlike Winston actually understands the plight of Big

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