Individualism is vital to the prosperity of humanity. In 1984, George Orwell presents a dystopian society plagued by totalitarian governments. Every aspect of a person’s life, from morning exercise routines to marriage, is controlled by the government, eliminating individualism. Living in constant fear and misery, the protagonist, Winston Smith, hopes for change. In contrast, Tom Parsons, his neighbor, is blindly subservient to the government. Through direct characterization by Winston and indirect characterization from his apartment and children, Parson is portrayed as a thoughtless slave to the system. Exemplifying the dangers of blind loyalty, he serves as a foil to highlight Winston’s hatred of the government. Winston immediately expresses
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At the beginning of the novel, the repulsion and frustration caused by the experience at the Parsons’ house further motivates Winston to contemplate upon the purpose of his criminal thoughts. After discovering Julia’s love note, Parsons is the character that obstructs Winston’s path to talk to Julia during the lunch break, leading him to build up hate alongside love. Even during his cameo in jail, Parsons causes Winston distress by using the bathroom crudely. In addition, whenever Parsons steps into the scene, his sweat and stench is mentioned in some form. Described as “overpowering” (22), “extraordinary” (56), and “powerful” (232), the sweat emphasizes Parsons’ loyalty to the Party. Just like the scent of the sweat is pungent and continuous throughout the novel, his loyalty to the Party is also the same. Furthermore, as a flat character, Parsons does not change, which helps to constantly bring out intense feelings of hatred within Winston. Parsons is the embodiment of an ideal Oceania citizen and physical incarnation Winston’s abhorrence. Even at the end, as he might have given Winston a glimmer of hope that everybody has the capability to denounce Big Brother, Parsons counters that with his faithfulness to the Party and pride in his daughter. Parsons, then, is exactly the person Winston does not want to
At the beginning of the novel, the repulsion and frustration caused by the experience at the Parsons’ house further motivates Winston to contemplate upon the purpose of his criminal thoughts. After discovering Julia’s love note, Parsons is the character that obstructs Winston’s path to talk to Julia during the lunch break, leading him to build up hate alongside love. Even during his cameo in jail, Parsons causes Winston distress by using the bathroom crudely. In addition, whenever Parsons steps into the scene, his sweat and stench is mentioned in some form. Described as “overpowering” (22), “extraordinary” (56), and “powerful” (232), the sweat emphasizes Parsons’ loyalty to the Party. Just like the scent of the sweat is pungent and continuous throughout the novel, his loyalty to the Party is also the same. Furthermore, as a flat character, Parsons does not change, which helps to constantly bring out intense feelings of hatred within Winston. Parsons is the embodiment of an ideal Oceania citizen and physical incarnation Winston’s abhorrence. Even at the end, as he might have given Winston a glimmer of hope that everybody has the capability to denounce Big Brother, Parsons counters that with his faithfulness to the Party and pride in his daughter. Parsons, then, is exactly the person Winston does not want to