Examples Of Victory In George Orwell's '1984'

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In George Orwell's novel, 1984, victory and love cannot live in the same society. Orwell introduces the audience to two characters, Winston and O'Brien; one representing love and the other representing power and victory. Essentially there is no room for love in Oceania, where 1984 takes place. The government in Oceania is called The Party and thrives solely on power and the feeling of victory. Winston believes that the society that they live in at the moment won't last much longer without love and free thoughts. O'Brien thinks that power and victory is the superior feeling and love is reserved only for Big Brother, the head of The Party. What is overlooked is that humans may thrive on both love and victory, but humans long for love. It produces neurological and emotional happiness that can last forever, while the feeling of being victorious fades. Love prevails over victory, making Winston the right one of the two. …show more content…

The Party in 1984 "... seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power. Not with wealth or luxury or long life or happiness; only power, pure power'' (Orwell 263). This shows that The Party does not particularly care for its citizens. Eventually the people of Oceania will see that The Party is not fir to take care of its society and revolt as a whole. Another reason why a society based on power and victory cannot survive is it overwhelms people who exude power. O'Brien tells Winston of the importance of power within The Party and seems to be drained: "You are thinking that I talk of power, and yet I am not even able to prevent the decay of my own body'' (Orwell 264). O'Brien knows that he feels life slipping away from himself. Everyone in Oceania feels the victory and the power everyday. This will eventually psychologically tire many