Ambiguity In 1984

George Orwell’s novel, 1984, thoroughly outlines the aspects of dystopian society, dictated by a totalitarian government of English Socialism. This novel preludes to a meaning much deeper than what is perceived from the events of the protagonist, Winston Smith, and his acquiesce against Big Brother. In order to decipher the uprooted meaning of this text, a formalist perspective can be used to analyze the literal aspects of a novel - particularly, in accordance to tension and ambiguity within a setting.

Winston Smith was soundly proficient at his job in the Ministry of Truth. The Records Department “is connected with the happenings of the story” as it is a crucial location for conflict to arise, ultimately adding to the plot of the story (Bloom, Edward. The Order of Fiction: An Introduction). Despite his job being unelaborate, it holds significant importance as he is in control of altering history, removing pieces of evidence indicating that Big Brother had made any erroneous presumptions.

In varying instances, Winston is put into a position where tension had become present. Upon receiving a bundle of documents out of the tube, Winston comes across a newspaper article containing information about three original leaders of the Revolution;

There are two ways of interpreting his job; it can be perceived as evil, being in control of distorting and manipulating history. In contradiction to this point, he is simply doing what is required of him, his environment being what is compelling him to carry out this action. Another example of the moral ambiguity he lives in was whether or not he should of kept the article or was right to have disposed of it. Winston initially was tempted to keep the document, having it be the morally correct thing to do so, yet would be imposing punishment upon himself. Therefore, for this reason he decided that the states definition of morality was more important than his