Thursday, October 20, 2011

In 1984, what values of society are revealed through Winston Smith's alienation?

The rejection of Winston's personal values might lend
great insight into what society values.  For example, Winston is very passionate and
authentic about his beliefs.  Keeping his diary, articulating his dislike of his
coworkers, and even his relationship with Julia are all examples of his pure desire to
rebel against The Party and the government control of Big Brother.  While he is
passionate about this dissent, it reflect a social value of ascent and total
conformity.  At the same time, when he is captured and is forced to confess and recant
regarding his relationship with Julia, there is a genuine sense of torment about it. 
This reflects how social control supersedes all, a value that Winston does not share. 
Winston's alienation is the result of believing and sharing a consciousness that is
diametrically opposed to what society believes.  In identifying his beliefs, we can
understand what society rejects, and in seeing what Winston disdains, we can see what
society upholds.

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