Open Prompt December 4

1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.

It is human nature to react in one way or another to your surroundings. The way in which you react depends solely on whether you enjoy being in that surrounding or not. In the book 1984 by George Orwell, the main character Winston Smith lives in a society run by an oppressive, controlling government. Winston reacts to this awfully intrusive government by quietly rebelling, and breaking the laws because he does not think the way they are treated is fair and just. 

Throughout this novel, Orwell uses many details to add to the idea of the party in control being cruel and  ruthless towards its people. The children are often times forced into learning to be a spy, and these kids attempt to find people breaking laws and accuse people of "thoughtcrimes." Thoughtcrimes are when someone thinks something against the government and it's considered illegal. These thoughtcrimes are yet another example of detail added in to the work that support the idea of an oppressive government. The Ministry of Truth is a department of the government that basically brainwashes the population into thinking that specific historical events did not occur and others did in order to keep the party in power. The Ministry of Truth adds to and gives the government virtually all power in society. These details included by Orwell support and exhibit the government as an all powerful force that is over-controlling and oppressive. 

Because Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth, he knows that the history he rewrites is not true, and things have not always been as they seem with this government in control. He constantly thinks about how terrible the party is, and is afraid of being caught for thoughtcrime. Winston feels such a strong hate for the party, that he keeps a journal and has written in it "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER." Big brother is what the head of the party is referred to as. Winston also has an affair with a character named Julie, which is something that is very illegal in this society. Winston responds to the standards placed by the party by breaking them, because he does not believe in them and feels a hatred for Big Brother. 

Throughout the novel, 1984, Orwell uses many specific details to enforce the idea of the government being oppressive, and cruel. The main character, Winston Smith reacts to this society by rebelling and breaking the laws, because he knows the truth and wants to be free from Big Brother's power.