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1984 O Brien Character Analysis

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In a story how is it decided who the good and bad guys are? It all depends on your point of view. In George Orwell’s 1984, there is a totalitarian government ruling over its citizens with an iron grip. O’Brien’s duty is to catch anyone that is against the government he works for, this unfortunately means he is forced to backstab people, making many people see him as the antagonist. O’Brien is an older guy, who acts as a dynamic anti-hero: he strongly believes in the policies and government he supports, but he uses some unorthodox methods to keep people in line and loyal. O’Brien would be considered by most people to be an antagonist, for betraying the main character and torturing him, but he was only trying to keep his government strong. …show more content…

They begged to be shot quickly while their minds were still clean” (3.2. 105, O’Brien). O’Brien is a major character working to stamp out the disbelievers in the world, so when the disbelievers recant and ask for forgiveness, it makes O’Brien a kind of anti-hero to them. To the people of the party who have seen the error of their ways O’Brien is no longer the man who betrayed them, he has transformed into a complex character who saves and protects them. O’Brien works as an undercover government agent catching people who try to turn to him as an in to the Brotherhood. When O’Brien turns Winston in, he tells him that he always knew about O’Brien’s real …show more content…

O’Brien is an older man worn down by the stresses in his lifetime, “O’Brien’s face was strong, fleshy, and brutal, full of intelligence and controlled passion, but it was also tired and sagging” (3.3. Winston). O’Brien has lived a long life, trying to heal people but the methods he uses are taking their toll on him. It is his job to make sure people are pushed far enough they hurt but he must keep them from death and help them on their healing journey, he is referred to by Winston as his Protector even after what he is forced to do to Winston. O’Brien is a kind guy who has seen more than his share of terror in life and it has taken a toll on his physique. O’Brien strongly believes in what he is doing, he is a fanatic for the idea of what the future holds for their government. Their idea of a perfect future is the opposite of what former civilizations have strived for, “a world which will grow not less but more merciless, progress will be towards more pain, ….ours is founded upon hatred,” Winston could see a maniacal look in O’Brien’s eyes as he talked ( 3.3. 34, O’Brien). O’Brien is one of the leaders of the party, he lives by these ideals, and because these ideals are so important to him he sees anything done in their name justifiable. When Winston looks upon this vision of society with horror O’Brien looks upon it with happiness because it has been instilled into

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