Examples Of Conformity In 1984 By George Orwell

A rebel is a person who rises in opposition against an established government, a person who refuses allegiance to and resists a ruling party. Every society’s set of rules and regulations evokes the inner insurgent of a minority; George Orwell’s dystopia demonstrates the execution of pursuing one’s rebellious tendencies and the unconscious destruction that follows. In George Orwell’s 1984, Orwell juxtaposes rebellion and conformity by using various techniques. The portrayal of London, the Golden Country and the Prole District, the contrast between the Parson’s family unit and Winston’s relationship with Julia along with the depiction of mind versus body are all ways in which Orwell chooses to analogize rebellion and conformity.

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In the Prole District there is more leniency for the citizens, therefore both Winston and Julia have fewer gestures and actions to conceal while exploring their rebellious tendencies as well as continuing their relationship in secret. Unlike with the citizens of London, with the proles, “no attempt was made to indoctrinate them with the ideology of the party. It was not desirable that the proles should have strong political feelings” (Orwell 71). Due to the lack of telescreens, Winston and Julia, as well as the readers, feel a sense of ease while in the Prole District. Unfortunately, Orwell’s use of assigning settings with a sense of rebellion or conformity comes hurtling down. In what was supposed to be Winston and Julia’s safe zone, upstairs in Charrington’s shop, “There was a snap as though a catch had been turned back and a crash of breaking glass. The picture had fallen to the floor, uncovering the telescreen behind it” (Orwell 222). Everything that Winston and Julia confidently confess to one another in the room above Charrington’s shop is heard. Outside, the once singing red-arm prole woman stops singing and the melody is replaced with a sound of boots. Winston’s unconscious destruction has commenced and everything that represents Winston’s hope is being

Throughout Orwell’s dystopia, Winston is the intelligence behind the rebellion whereas Julia’s rebellion lies solely in the physical, “…only a rebel from the waste down” (Orwell 156). Julia cares exclusively for what happens in the now and is entirely thoughtless as to what is to come for future generations whereas Winston is the opposite; Winston rebels for the future. Despite this being so, one cannot be without the other. It is apparent that as soon as Julia emerges into Winston’s life, it is for the better. Winston’s fits of coughing come to a stop and his varicose ulcer begins to subside. Regrettably, things take a turn for the worse; after Winston’s torture in the Ministry of Love he no longer possesses the intellect and willpower to be a rebel. Winston’s inner insurgent is absent as he sits in the Chestnut Tree Café, drinking his victory gin, playing chess. For the first time, Winston is able to separate the mind from the body, “under the table Winston’s feet made convulsive movements. He had not stirred from his seat, but in his mind he was with the crowds outside, cheering himself deaf” (Orwell 297). Simply by doing this, Orwell presents how in the end, conformity will triumph over