1984 Winston Smith Character Analysis

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Winston Smith represents an ordinary person whom the reader can relate to; the audience experiences the cruelty of a totalitarian government through his perspective. He is the protagonist in the novel 1984 by George Orwell. Smith is introduced as out of shape, with a varicose ulcer on his ankle. His sense of fatalism leads him to commit unwarranted crimes against the Party. These rebellious actions lead to his capture. Ultimately Winston conforms with the party thus losing his sense of identity to Big Brother. Smith’s relatable nature substantially impacts the reader, emphasizing the associated theme of individuality. O’Brien and his enigmatic personality symbolize a totalitarian government. O’Brien is the antagonist in the novel 1984 by