1984 Post Two

I believe the biggest thing impeding Winston's ability to trust in the One State is his job. Winston sees the lies the government is spreading every day in his task to change history. Winston is one of a handful of people who know the truth: the One State is not infallible, nor is it eternal. Winston knows that the One State makes mistakes - they rely on him to correct them. Winston knows that what he's being told is a lie, and as a rational man he can't force himself to believe a known falsity. I think Winston's actions are a protest on a more personal level. It's not that he wants to take down the government, but more like he needs an outlet for his confusion. He wants to belong and conform to the pressures of his government, but given his job, he has doubts. His escapades with Julia and writing in a diary are not attempts to take down Big Brother, but merely endeavors to satisfy his curiosity about a world without Oceania. Winston's actions are a form of protest not seen in modern times. He doesn't just speak out, he acts out. He does things against the will of the empire. Modern protesters (at least in America) focus on marching, speaking their opinions, but rarely acting upon them. They rely on others to institute the reforms, but don't reform things themselves. The tradition of complacency in this country permeates even into their dissatisfaction. However, saying America has become Orwellian is incredibly extreme. While our government does have powers that extend well into our day to day lives, we still maintain a respectable level of privacy, freedom, and individuality that distinguishes us from Orwellian society.