Characterisation in 1984

Characterisation in 1984

1. Winston Smith

   • 39 years old
   • Varicose ulcer above right ankle
   • Works at the Ministry of Truth
   • 'Winston' refers to Winston Churchill & 'Smith' is a common surname
   • Narrative is from Winston's perspective
   • Married to Katharine
   • Vows to kill children, kill Katharine, betrays Julia & kicks away human hand
   • After Eileen's death, Orwell became lonely (suggested in the novel)

2. Julia

   • 26 years old
   • Anti-Sex League
     • Wears sash to make her look more sexually attractive (ironic)
   • Works in the Fiction Department
     • Oily hands
       • Suggests she's practical; organises love affairs & obtains luxury goods
   • Sex object/male fantasy figure
   • Sonia Brownell is believed to be the model for Julia

3. O'Brien

   • Inner Party member
   • Brutal face
   • Winston is drawn to him
     • Homosexual reading of the text ?
   • Appears to be able to read Winston's mind in interrogation section

4. The proles

   • Marxist theory said that they would ultimately take power in the state
   • Controlled also with pornogrpahy
   • Seen as an ignorant mass
   • Not seen as important by the Party; incapable of understanding