AP English Prompt #2 9/19/08

One of the main themes in the book 1984 by George Orwell is the struggle to free oneself from the power of others. The main character Winston is the one who shows the struggle. He constantly proves that he wants to be an individual opposed to an conformists. He lives in a society of dictatorship. The government Big brother seeks full control over everyone. Winston struggles to be an individual but eventually he conforms.

Winston is a young man who does not play by the rules. He is not a renegade, yet he stands for something. Everyone in his country including him fears Big Brother. Therefore, most people do follow the rules. Winston seems like the typical guy in Oceana. He goes to work, he keeps to himself, and he do what the telescreen advises him to do. Even though Winston seems like the average guy he is not. He has thoughts in his head of going against the government everday. By doing one small thing at a time, Winston slowly tries to become an individual.

In the year 1984, people didn't write anything. Instead they speak into an instrument that is equivalent to a pen and paper. Not only do people stop writing, but it is illegal to own paper and pen. If the government caught anyone there would be severe consequences. Knowing this, Winston still bought an notepad and an inkpen. He did this so that he could feel that he had some sense of uniformity. He did not do it cause trouble, he did it to feel a little more accomplished as far as individuality goes.

Orwell used Winston struggle as an example to show that there will always be an uniformists in a group of congormists. Also that if it is not enough uniformity, that uniformists would eventually conform or suffer. Simply put if you can't beat them join them. Winston struggled to be an individual and ironically get others to join him. Once he seen there is no way he can undo years of conformity, les, and fear of the government he gave up. By the end of the book, Winston was