Examples Of Individualism In 1984 By George Orwell

George Orwell’s 1984 is a dystopian novel that serves as a warning of what to
become if totalitarian governments are not abandoned or eradicated. Its description truly shows how gray and bleak a dystopian society is. Uniformity is introduced to each and every citizen. This uniformity eliminates individuality of each citizen, which gives the novel a theme of uniformity versus individuality. The citizens’ words, thoughts, and actions are all dictated by the system. However, the main character, as well as few others, portray personal rebellion, which helps shape the theme of the novel, despite the threats of upfront dangers. This attitude, therefore, implies that there is hope for a wider rebellion that will eventually lead to revolution.
Uniformity

from the citizens is achieved with the use of mind control through
propaganda and technology. As a result, the system is able to convert the citizens to be orthodox and “orthodoxy means not thinking - not needing to think.

Orthodoxy is unconsciousness” (54). Consciousness makes the total being of a human. Not being able to think for oneself is as good as being dead. The system’s mind control strips the citizens away from their own lives. Even though that they are breathing, standing, walking, talking, and doing what real humans do, the system, basically, owns their lives. They all are subjected to be one with the system, which means giving up their own individuality. This lack of individualism results to “three hundred people all with the same face” (76). Indoctrination of individuals results to not being an individual at all because all of the citizens are doing, thinking, and saying the same things that the system dictates. Despite the mind control that prevents the citizens from noticing the lack of identity between them,

Winston recognizes this. With this recognition, he is able to appreciate the worth of being uncontrolled: “utterly alone, utterly secure, with nobody watching [him], no voice pursuing [him], no sound except the singing of the kettle and the friendly ticking of the clock” (99). His approach to such environment shows his fascination of freedom. It is obvious that Winston desires to be free from the chains of the system. Having freedom is the same as having oneself’s own identity, and this does not go along with the system’s doctrines. Even so, Winston endeavors to gain his own identity through acts of rebellion against the system. Winston’s consciousness of the lack of identity fuels him to confront the system’s uniformity control. His confrontation help emphasize the conflict between being all the same and being one’s self.
The characters commit rebellion acts against the system to get individualism for
themselves. Julia’s “I love you” (110) to Winston is a show of affection. Her way of rebelling is not through violence, but through love. Julia shows that she is different from other women in society who only think about the system’s sake. She does it for her own feelings and happiness instead. Winston loves her back and even imagines that “The paperweight [is] the room he [is] in, and the coral [is] Julia’s life and his own, fixed in a sort of eternity at the heart of the crystal” (150). This thought is rebellious in its own way. Winston imagines a whole different world without the system’s control at all, but only with his and his loved one, Julia. This life of his own sounds so warm and comfortable compare to what the system has to offer to its own citizens. Propaganda gives intimidation. Telescreens gives anxiety. Thought Police gives hesitancy. The system gives fear. With all of these negativities, it is unavoidable for humans to desire for pleasure, contentment, security, and happiness. Once a person experienced humanness of being free, and out from the chains of the system, he or she would definitely fight for a life worth living for.
Throughout the novel, only minor rebellions are shown and committed, but even
with these they certainly give hope for a revolution.

Winton’s definite act of rebellion is writing on his diary, and it is evident that Winston has planned to make his rebellion known: “To the past or to the future” (28). He plans to write the system’s oppressions on the diary, and hopes to be discovered by fellow citizens. This could enlighten them about the system’s selfish way of ruling, and to encourage a wider rebellion. His desire for a wider rebellion is more obvious when he says to Julia “the more you’ve had, the more I love you” (128). He believes that the more people that rebel, the bigger the possibility for a revolution. Even though that having sex is only a personal rebellion, and only appears between two individuals, the more personal rebellions, the more rebels there could be. By gathering these rebels altogether, they would have a chance to go against the system. As rebels, all of them know how being controlled feels like, and their desire for freedom will drive them through this

revolution.
Freedom of anything is limited or even impossible in a dystopian society. In this
society, with its telescreens, hidden microphones, spies, and Thought Police, being oneself is even prohibited. The system wants everyone to be a part of the system, and this means to give up individualism. Without individuality, all of the citizens will only rely on the system without objection. In this situation, it really is impossible to fight against the system. This is the reason why Winston’s acts of rebellion inspire hope. He knows what he is doing is wrong in the face of the system, but he knows that he is right to himself. Writing on a diary, having sex, loving someone and the thought of being free all risk Winston to the point of death and torture. In a really oppressive society, as shown in 1984, minor acts like what Winston, Julia, and others do mean so much. For them to be able to do that with the certainty of death is enough to incite others to follow their defiance.