Role Of Individuality In George Orwell's '1984'

Rebels throughout history have posed as a threat to society through challenging societal norms and advocating for something different, a change. In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, Winston Smith is a rebel who does not conform to the unconscious and homogeneous people of which society consists. Instead, Winston rebels through his acts of suspicion; however, he does not bring about reform but becomes one with society as humanity and individuality finally dissipates. The act of preserving humanity is to hold onto the quality or state of being human along with the impulses and instincts that are associated with it. Orwell’s classic, 1984, exemplifies the graveness of preserving humanity as “that was above all [Winston] wanted to hear. Not merely the love of one person, but the animal instinct, the simple undifferentiated desire; that was the force that would tear the Party to pieces” (Orwell 126). Humanity in society keeps the people in control of their own actions as they are guided by instinct and impulse. Without humanity, all people are controlled by the Party just as if they are drones. Winston Smith sees the necessity in keeping humanity afloat due to his belief that nature should rule people, and this is why he decides to diverge from society. Individuality distinguishes a person …show more content…
An issue involved with homogeneity is that “every concept that can ever be needed will be expressed by exactly one word, with its meaning rigidly defined and all its subsidiary meanings rubbed out and forgotten” (52). By Winston Smith not conforming to this homogenous society, he represents a hope for all of humanity along with his rise against government. However, the undifferentiated views of the Party and society itself lessen the effects of Winston Smith’s stand against the problem with no one having their own viewpoint on issues in