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Examples Of Free Will In 1984

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The Development of the Theme of Free Will in 1984 "We are not content with negative obedience, nor even with the most abject submission. When finally you surrender to us, it must be of your own free will” (Orwell 258). These are O’Brien’s words to Winston as the latter is being held and tortured in the Ministry of Truth. What is free will? By definition, free will is the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate, or the ability to act at one’s own discretion. Does Winston even ever possess free will in the first place? Some critics say no, he never made a free choice. Others say yes, in order for Winston to surrender his free will he must have had free will to begin with. Either way, the idea of free will is an …show more content…

In George Orwell's novel, 1984, the theme of free will is developed throughout the book by the characters' thoughts, actions, and words. The first example of the development of the theme of free will is glimpsed through Winston’s thoughts. In the Party, there is the idea of thoughtcrime, which implies that people can make conscious decisions that are against what the party considers good. Thinking submersive thoughts and even having an improper facial expression can make someone guilty of facecrime and/or thoughtcrime, so keeping emotions in check is crucial in the Party (“1984”). Winston is convinced that his thoughts are his own, and that they are not put into his head by the Party. As evidenced by the following excerpt from the text, Winston demonstrates free will through his thoughts. “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows” (Orwell 81). These were Winston’s thoughts as he began to think of rebellion, and these thoughts were written in his diary as if he was speaking to O’Brien. Another example of Winston’s thoughts demonstrating free will comes after he wonders why the Party controls so many aspects of his life and how no one else seems to take

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