Examples Of Individualism In 1984

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In George Orwell’s 1984, the main character Winston Smith attempts to rebel against the government. Living in a totalitarian government prevented Winston from developing his own identity. At the end of the novel the government successfully brainwashed Winston into submitting himself completely to Big Brother. Throughout the novel, the idea of privacy is not permitted as every person is always being observed. The Thought Police is always out to invade the lives of those attempting to find their individuality. Out of the many themes in 1984, individualism was one of the most important. Orwell writes about a number of experiences highlighting the idea of suppressed individualism. The theme of individualism drives the plot of the novel, and is expressed through the …show more content…
With the use of tele screens, everyone is always under constant surveillance and being watched by Big Brother. This expresses the lack of freedom and individualism of those living under a totalitarian government. The main character Winston Smith is one of the many characters who was unable to express himself as an individual human being. Winston manifested values of peace, freedom, and love throughout the novel. However, he later became defeated which lead to the destruction of himself and his values. Winston also greatly represented the constant battle society was forced to experience between good and bad forces. In the novel Orwell states, “In front of him was an enemy who was trying to kill him; in front of him, also was a human creature, in pain and perhaps with a broken bone” (Part 2, Chapter 1). This expresses the delicacy and vulnerability of the relationship between Winston and Julia as they encounter a both powerful, and political resistance towards the government. Going behind the governments back in order to be together conveys the struggle they had to face regarding individualism in their