1984 O Brien Character Analysis

How does one determine the importance of another? Perhaps, it is by the words they speak or by their ability to impact someone else’s life. These standards for judgment are endless, but regardless of the criteria used the character of O’Brien in George Orwell’s 1984, is irrefutably one of the most important figures in the story. Crucial to all three parts of the book, O’Brien is the driving force that moves the protagonist Winston Smith’s plot line along, contributing to the rise, growth and fall of Winston in the novel. O’Brien takes on the role of the teacher, and torturer and is both patient and ruthless. The importance of O’Brien can be deconstructed into three parts; O’Brien makes Winston believe there are more enemies of the party, O’Brien

While participating in the required Two-Minutes-of-Hate, Winston and O’Brien momentarily share a glace, and just by O’Brien’s stare, Winston knew he found an ally. “An unmistakable message had passed. It was as through their two minds had opened and the thoughts were flowing from one into the other through their eyes. ‘I am with you’, O’Brien seemed to be saying to him. ‘I know precisely what you are feeling. I know all about your contempt, your hatred, your disgust. But don’t worry, I am on your side!’”(Orwell 19). This quote demonstrates just how vital O’Brien is to Winston’s realization that he is not alone in his hatred for the party. In Winston’s mind O’Brien becomes a sort of clandestine friend and political conspirator with whom he can discuss his wants of rebellion. At this point in the novel the reader begins to understand the importance of O’Brien in Winston’s life, as he acts as the metaphorical spark that kick starts Winston’s plot line. If O’Brien never glanced at Winston it is very likely that Winston would have continued to feel as if there was no one who in shared his beliefs and was an enemy of the Party. Thus because the characters do share eye contact Winston is able to begin his journey/ fight against Big Brother and the major plot of 1984, Winston’s search for rebellion,

Once he begins to believe that O'Brien is a member of the Brotherhood, Winston starts interpreting reality in such a way as to keep this impression. Orwell writes “There was a link of understanding between them [Winston and O’Brien], more important than affection or partisanship. ‘We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness’ he [O’Brien] had said. Winston did not know what it meant, only that in some way or another it would come true.”(Orwell 27). In this quote, it becomes clear to the reader that O'Brien has become an indispensable resource to Winston. The fact that his face comes into Winston's mind without any obvious association toward it shows that Winston sees O'Brien as more important than anyone else. O'Brien appears to be someone who can be trusted, as well as someone who has the resources to help anyone who wishes to do things that comply with his beliefs. This realization emphasis the importance of O’Brien to the novels plot, without O’Brien Winston would not have someone who he could blindly trust and uses as motivation for continuing his