Big Brother

Winston Smith is not much of a heroic figure, ultimately he fails '' body and mind. Although this does not dismiss the idea that Winston is a hero because even though he fails he could still be considered a tragic hero. There are other aspects, such as his personality and motives, which question his true heroism. Winston is a hero only in the sense that we as readers are rooting for him to find a way to commit thought crime, to sabotage and ultimately overthrow the party. The reader wants him to be successful so throughout the story his attempt at being a hero is valid. Winston is a self centred character. He is motivated by his own agenda rather than any true altruism. His actions, such as writing in the diary, are more for the purpose of remembering, finding himself and defining his own individuality; rather than for the greater good of human kind. As a character, Winston is tragic because he eventually loses his desire to fight the party. However Winston’s bitterness is understandable, given the circumstances he is in. Because of the shear bleakness of the world, Winston Smith is nothing but a plaything to do the bidding of those above him. For a tragic hero, usually their defeat is due to an excess of pride. However, this is not Winston’s downfall. Winston has two issues: he wishes to be part of a revolutionary movement and he wishes to speak the truth, as he sees it. Both of these desires leave him vulnerable. Making the wrong friends and trusting the wrong people leads to his downfall. "I hate purity, I hate goodness, Idon't want virtue to exist anywhere. I want everyone to be corrupt to the bones." This quote made by Winston shows that his motives are questionable; this is not something a true hero would say. Winston as stated before is more occupied by defining his own individuality.