On 1984

His job was to rewrite History. Not merely, edit it to conform to ethical standards of his world, but changing, erasing, creating events utterly. It would be as if Rome never existed, Greece was actually in Zimbabwe and the Hwerthya invaded the United States in 1984. Winston’s occupation within the Party, his very career, is a complete reversal of thought from his inner-conscious self. Hardly a hypocrite, Winston will stop at nothing to fulfill his dream of revolution. He, like Thomas Jefferson acts one way, yet believes the opposite; this ultimate contradiction is at once burdening to his soul, yet simultaneously one of simple necessity.

Winston’s job at the Party is to “edit” the Histories, the newspapers, and the nonfictional, to fit the whims and aspirations of Big Brother. If Big Brother wants the credit for winning a war, so be it; if he decides the enemy never actually was, then thus it is. All humans are put-off—to several degrees—by altering the truth at the command of others; some may refuse and protect their dignity. Perhaps such an action prevents revolution. Yet when confronted with altering the past, and possible death—either essentially so, or in reality—most would chose the former. That is not to mean one wouldn’t feel terribly conflicted with their situation, in fact, and suffice it to say, it could easily make everything worse.
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Winston is an idealist, but he’s also a fatalist—sounds like yours truly. He knows what is right and what is wrong, but believes no one either cares or can change the status quo. At least, until he meets Julia…

Julia is a promiscuous little beauty. Sensual, divine in appearance, whimsical, soft, and pragmatic, she is the perfect counter to Winston’s fatalism, and lanky appearance. Throughout the novel, she is the only person he knows beyond the shadow-of-a-doubt feels the way he does about the Party, about Big Brother. His love for Julia is nearly as powerful and driving as his hate for the State.

His hatred thereof ranges from mere journal writings of “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” to actively seeking ways to bring about its demise. In a way, Julia adds to Winston’s hatred; she gives him another reason to fight the Party: Julia herself. However, how could she present him with a reason to pursue that course of action? It’s a slightly predictable explanation, but remarkable nonetheless; in the world of 1984, love is a crime. Not being able to have what one desires is a powerful catalyst for revolt, rebellion, and revolution. Like in Ayn Rand’s Anthem, the main character is propelled to act by his love of the Golden One, even though it is an entirely dangerous course of life.

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In the great stories that pit Man against Society, we see three general types. The first is the Triumph, where the protagonist sails to total victory and ends off much better than the beginning—the story of Christ. The second is the Compromise, here the protagonist prevails victoriously, yet suffers a great deal and may not end better off—Fahrenheit 451 is a prime example. The third is the Tragedy. In the Tragedy, the protagonist fails in his quest, and ends off worse than when he began—the three hundred Spartans, and of course 1984. Winston’s story is a complete failure; he walked into a trap. Many people he felt were in accord with his aspirations were in fact in league with Big Brother, and he is utterly betrayed.

Just like in the tale of the Battle of Thermopylae, the traitor does not act out of pure belief; Ephialtes didn’t want to betray his birthplace. Also, Mr. Charrington—in the novel—may not necessarily have disagreed with Winston, but he had another purpose in life.

Winston’s conflict between inner convictions and outer duties almost completely drives the novel. His desire for a new order is not imagined, though. It drives the world, as this is written, the birthplace of Government itself is experiencing the fulfillment of Winston’s dream. Eight Arab states have undergone either complete revolution, serious reform, or major uprising since the start of 2011. It’s no easy feat to work for an institution you hate, and it’s harder to defy it; oh, how it must hurt to be busted by the institution. Winston was forced to live two lives, and when he, at last, rejected one, he surely paid the price. The great irony is that although he altered history, Winston shall be remembered forever in the annals of history.