A trait often celebrated is heroism. This is the ability to face danger and misfortune with courage. This attribute is exemplified by Winston Smith (the protagonist in George Orwell’s 1984 novel). Winston was a member the English dictatorial Party. The Party is governed by the Central Committee, which has the goal of regulating the views and keeping control of the people. Winston is responsible for ensuring that people adhere to Party principles.
Winston is the protagonist and the hero. He is the hero because he challenges government regulations and does so with unflinching faith in his people. Winston is a true hero because of his moral courage and unwavering belief (Bloom 2009). His compassion and willingness to make sacrifices for the well-being of his neighbors makes him one of few people who truly cares about them. By being an example to those fighting against injustice, he encourages them all to stand up for the right thing regardless of what it costs. Winston’s tale and example demonstrate that, even in darkest times, there can be hope.
Winston faces danger and hardship while serving the Party. Winston is involved in an illegal operation to obtain papers from the Ministry of Truth. Winston, along with his fellow teammates are taken into custody and tortured during the mission. Winston refuses to give up on the Party and its ideals, despite any cost. He remains firm believer that the Party will stand on the side for justice, and is working to make society better. Winston is an excellent example of human resilience and how they can overcome difficulties. He has shown courage and perseverance despite numerous threats to his safety (Schmidt 2021). He is an example of exemplary citizenship and courage in speaking out about his convictions, regardless of what the situation may be.
Orwell’s main argument was that the spirit of heroism is necessary for democracy and freedom because it allows individuals to pursue their individual interests without regard to government limitations. According to Orwell, the search for meaning is vital in maintaining moral decency and sanity under oppressive conditions. It is no surprise, then that Orwellian heroes were often defined as disobedient to authority and willing to take risks in order to reach their objectives. Winston made the decision to leave the Party to follow his convictions. This idea of heroics gives us a better understanding of the hardships people face when living in restrictive situations. We can see the value of courage and initiative in the face hardship. It also helps maintain an optimistic and progressive spirit that contributes to a healthy society.