Is Winston the novel’s hero, by Orwell’s definition? Is he a hero that readers can admire and emulate?
In a well-organized essay of at least 4 paragraphs, answer the following prompt.Remember to time yourself as practice for the AP exam and include a well thought out thesis that answers what you will be proving, how you will be proving it, and why it is important to the greater understanding of the novel.
George Orwell once offered this definition of heroism: ordinary people doing whatever they can to change social systems that do not respect human decency,even with the knowledge that they can’t possibly succeed.In Winston Smith, the protagonist of1984,Orwell creates an ordinary person, an“everyman” who stands for all the oppressed citizens of Oceania. Yet, as the novel closes, Winston cries as his love for Big Brother overwhelms him.
Is Winston the novel’s hero, by Orwell’s definition? Is he a hero that readers can admire and emulate? Explain your position by tracing Winston’s actions throughout the novel and considering the results of those actions. Consider the society that Winston is forced to live in and his relationship with those around him, his reaction to the various situations he is forced to face, and other instances of Winston serving as Orwell’s “hero.