1984 Literary Criticism Paper
1984 Literary Criticism Paper
An archetype is a reoccurring pattern of images, symbols, or a situation. The hero archetype is one who tries to fulfill a necessary task and tries to restore justice to a society. The hero will commonly go through the hero’s journey in search for truth and information on restoring justice to a society. All archetypal heroes share certain characteristics. In 1984, by George Orwell, Winston follows the hero’s cycle because there is nothing told of his childhood, he looses favor with the Party, and Winston is not buried after all.
Throughout the book “We are told nothing of his childhood” (Garry 11) besides the few memories or dreams he shares with Julia or himself. After waking up crying one morning, Winston shares a memory of his childhood to Julia; he recalls the time him and his sister and mother spent most of their days in underground shelters, hiding from air raids. Many times, Winston and his family went without food. From starving one day, Winston stole chocolate from his mother and sister and ran away, never seeing them again. Winston constantly dreams about his mother and is convinced he murdered her because he stole her chocolate and left her there to starve. However, his subconscious is his only road to the truth. Although the reader is given small memories on his childhood “nothing remained of his childhood except a series of bright-lit tableaux occurring against no background and mostly unintelligible” (Orwell, 3). Implying, the reader is not really told anything of his childhood besides the subconscious memories and few unclear images In 1984, the God is represented through Big Brother. This is true because Big Brother is perceived as the ruler of Oceania and he is a very high figure to the people. Big Brother’s face is constantly being broadcasted and he is even stamped on the coins. Thus, Winston “Later loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects” (11) by wanting to do many rebellious acts and hateful thoughts.
An archetype is a reoccurring pattern of images, symbols, or a situation. The hero archetype is one who tries to fulfill a necessary task and tries to restore justice to a society. The hero will commonly go through the hero’s journey in search for truth and information on restoring justice to a society. All archetypal heroes share certain characteristics. In 1984, by George Orwell, Winston follows the hero’s cycle because there is nothing told of his childhood, he looses favor with the Party, and Winston is not buried after all.
Throughout the book “We are told nothing of his childhood” (Garry 11) besides the few memories or dreams he shares with Julia or himself. After waking up crying one morning, Winston shares a memory of his childhood to Julia; he recalls the time him and his sister and mother spent most of their days in underground shelters, hiding from air raids. Many times, Winston and his family went without food. From starving one day, Winston stole chocolate from his mother and sister and ran away, never seeing them again. Winston constantly dreams about his mother and is convinced he murdered her because he stole her chocolate and left her there to starve. However, his subconscious is his only road to the truth. Although the reader is given small memories on his childhood “nothing remained of his childhood except a series of bright-lit tableaux occurring against no background and mostly unintelligible” (Orwell, 3). Implying, the reader is not really told anything of his childhood besides the subconscious memories and few unclear images In 1984, the God is represented through Big Brother. This is true because Big Brother is perceived as the ruler of Oceania and he is a very high figure to the people. Big Brother’s face is constantly being broadcasted and he is even stamped on the coins. Thus, Winston “Later loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects” (11) by wanting to do many rebellious acts and hateful thoughts.