1984: A Survival Story

The novel 1984, written by George Orwell, should undoubtedly be read more than once in order to fully understand the meaning of the story. Being a first time reader I find it difficult for myself to determine the true purpose of the novel. However, after evaluating the stories main characters, Winston and Julia, the best way I can explain the purpose of the novel is by considering it a survival story. By living in a society that is under the watch of “Big Brother” at all times Winston and Julia must force themselves to fit in with the rest of the party members. On the other hand they also have a desire to find a meaningful purpose in life which in many ways can be considered a contradiction to the survive at all cost mentality they have throughout the early part of the novel. The way each of these characters think and act throughout the novel changes dramatically, but all their actions ultimately stem from the idea of survival.

            Early in the novel the definition of survival is clear: Do not get vaporized. Winston and all other party members including Julia must accept everything about the party. This includes accepting the constant lies they are told about history and war as well as avoiding any personal pleasures such as sex. Whether a party member believes in what they are told to do really is not an issue because they must fit in if they want to survive. The idea of conforming in order to fit in is best stated by Julia when she says “I always carry one end of the banner in processions. I always look cheerful and I never shirk anything.  Always yell with the crowd, that’s what I say. It’s the only way to be safe.” (p. 124)As the reader later finds out, nothing makes Julia more happy than revolting against the party, but in order to do so she must also be able to fit in a survive. Like Julia everybody fears being vaporized, as a result carefully follows the rules of the party. It is the clearest example of what it takes to survive, but things ultimately become more complicated when characters such as Winston and Julia question the meaning of life.

            Every human has the desire to find meaning in their life. In the novel 1984 the party attempts to eliminate any such desires. However, about midway through the novel it seems as though Winston and Julia decide that in order to survive these desires must be fulfilled. Although this idea may seem to contradict the idea of following every party rule in order to avoid being vaporized it is still a method of personal survival. For Winston life is not worth living if he does not find a purpose for it. He decides that his purpose in life is to revolt against the party, and in many ways it takes over his life. For example, the description of Winston’s health explains how his rebellion is helping him survive. The passage says “seven times they met during the month of June. Winston had dropped the habit of drinking gin at all hours. He seemed to have lost the need for it… The process of life had ceased to be intolerable.” (p. 153)With this passage it seems as though Winston found a way to manage both methods of survival and not only stay alive, but also maintain value in life.

            Although Winston’s need to find meaning in life ultimately backfires I believe he could not live without fulfilling those personal desires. In my mind Winston would have given up.  The novel 1984 is not simply a story of how to survive, but also a story of finding a reason to survive. Without having a purpose to live people lose their desire to survive.