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Heroism In 1984

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When someone says protagonist, what does one usually think of? Generally, the words ‘good guy’ and ‘hero’ come to mind first, but are those words used correctly? Is the protagonist really a hero? In George Orwell’s 1984 and Philip k. Dick’s Minority Report, two different protagonists who commit ‘hero-like’ acts are shown. These acts on outside seem like they are benefiting the greater good, when in reality they help almost no one. The side effects of their actions are avoided to make the protagonists seem more worthy and stronger in the readers eyes, but it does nutmeat that they do not still exist. At a glance, 1984 is a dystopian about a man named Winston, the protagonist, who lives in a country called Oceania. It follows him through his …show more content…

In 1984 the antagonist is known by the name O’Brien and in The Minority Report his name is Kaplan. The first instance where Winston’s actions intervene with O’Brien’s life is when he unknowingly gives O’Brien more power through the crimes he commits. Winston commits all sorts of thoughtcrime throughout the book but it is not until the last part where he realizes that O’Brien, someone who he thought was going to help take Big Brother down, works for The Party. In part three O’Brien says, “‘And there are disease, pain, death ——-’ O’Brien silenced him by a movement of the hand.” (Orwell 277). This quote tells readers the extent of O’Brien’s power, specifically over Winston. It shows how his hidden figure type persona has evolved into someone who is not afraid to show who he really is and is willing to evict pain on to other people. All this is due to Winston rebellious acts against Big Brother. All throughout the story. he breaks many of Big Brother’s rules, reason why O’Brien catches Winston in the first place and has all the power he does right now. In chapter nine Kaplan says, “‘This is a great occasion for the Army… You’ll be glad to hear I”m going to give the public a full account of the spurious change brought against you’” (Dick ???). After Anderton tries to flee so he is not sent to the joy camps, Kaplan is able to persuade the government that the whole precrime system and the majority-minority report aspect is a false way of determining if someone is guilty. He wants the army to be back in control, specifically his team of sergeants that retired a while back. Anderton trying to run away from the fate that the system writes for him is the reason why Kaplan gains so much power in the first place. The protagonists actions affect the antagonists, in the better. In addition to affecting the antagonists for the better, the protagonists also cause the antagonists

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