Winston’s Description of Syme =
- “He was a tiny creature, smaller than Winston, with dark hair and large, protuberant eyes, at once mournful and derisive, which seemed to search your face closely while he was speaking to you.” (51)
- “His mocking eyes roved over Winston's face.” (52)
Winston’s description of Syme creates an image of a rather tiny yet very keen and intelligent ‘creature’. The important part about Syme’s appearances the portrayal of his eyes. They are described as protuberant and mournful and derisive. Moreover, they are repeatedly mentioned afterwards as well as the example of the second quote where Winston also describes his eyes as somewhat x-raying him.
Syme’s Style of Speech =
- Syme’s language is authoritarian and filled with an air of superiority while addressing Winston. His style of speech reflects his intelligence and his zealous devotion to the party and Big Brother especially Newspeak. His encounter with both Winston and Parsons is portrayed with a tone of distaste and a sense of self-superiority.
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“Don't you see the beauty of that, Winston?” (54)
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“I've read some of those pieces that you write in "The Times" occasionally. They're good enough, but they're translations.” (55)
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“'Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought?” (55)
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“Has it ever occurred to you, Winston, that by the year 2050, at the very latest, not a single human being will be alive who could understand such a conversation as we are having now?” (55)
All the above quotes are prompting quotes which have a didactic tone to them mixed with somewhat mockery as well which reflects Syme’s belief of self-superiority over Winston. Syme can be described as very loyal to the party as his language and discussions are all on party subject matters and whenever he mentions the party or the Big Brother, he does so is a ‘mysterious’ voice. Furthermore, the amount of knowledge and information which Syme has characterizes him as very intelligent, attentive, and devoted to party matters along with somewhat motivational as he tempts Winston by providing engaging explanations of the workings of Newspeak using questions which necessarily grab Winston’s attention.
Thoughts and Feelings:
- Syme is extremely loyal to the party as is seen through his numerous quotes above. Furthermore, he is extremely zealous about party matters especially the language’s development. Syme is uncharacteristically, relative to Winston, overjoyed at the thoughts of the hangings and violent campaigns of the party and demands even harsher fates such as he says ‘I like to see their feet dangling’. (52) Therefore, Syme is extremely zealous in party affairs and ranging from the modification of language to persecution of ‘confessed’ criminals, he is supportive of the party. His nature almost demands more brutality with the hangings to reflect the extent to which he is endorsed in party aims and objectives that instead of trying to align his own thoughts with the party’s, he is one step ahead and suggests modifications to the party’s chosen method of hanging thereby demonstrating his over-devotion towards the party.
- Syme is extremely enthusiastic about Newspeak as he ‘brightened up immediately at the mention of Newspeak’. (53) The attitude towards the language being moderated by party is important as it reflects Syme’s devotion, loyalty, and once again, zeal for the party affairs.
- Furthermore, Syme is very critical of Winston for showing lack of interest/enthusiasm in party affairs such as the Newspeak development, and the hangings etc.
PURPOSE OF CHARACTER:
Syme’s role in the play is rather two dimensional. One on side he is used by Orwell as a perfect character foil for Winston by being representative of the model party members INGSOC is trying to create within its members.
Syme is directly opposite to Winston in every manner possible. Whereas Syme is very enthusiastic about the hangings, Winston discusses them with an ‘indifferent’ (52) tone and showed little interest in the brutal ways of the party. Furthermore, the zeal which Syme has for the party’s modification of existing language is not shared by Winston at all as Syme says himself that ‘in your heart you prefer to stick to Oldspeak’ (55) which mark another difference between them. Moreover, whereas Syme is very intelligent and didactic, Winston responds very lamely and is very receptive. Syme’s problem is described by Winston as being too revealing as ‘he said things that would have better been unsaid’ (58), Winston is very quiet by comparison and his responses and analyses of everything is mental. Even the physical appearance is contrasting as Syme is described as ‘smaller than Winston’ (51) and this further emphasized the difference between them.
“SMITH, OLD BOY”
Winston’s Attitude towards Parsons =
- Winston is relatively comfortable with Parsons as he mentions much more intricate details about him relative to Syme.
- “Parsons, Winston's fellow-tenant at Victory Mansions, was in fact threading his way across the room--a tubby, middle-sized man with fair hair and a froglike face. At thirty-five he was already putting on rolls of fat at neck and waistline, but his movements were brisk and boyish. His whole appearance was that of a little boy grown large, so much so that although he was wearing the regulation overalls, it was almost impossible not to think of him as being dressed in the blue shorts, grey shirt, and red neckerchief of the Spies. In visualizing him one saw always a picture of dimpled knees and sleeves rolled back from pudgy forearms. Parsons did, indeed, invariably revert to shorts when a community hike or any other physical activity gave him an excuse for doing so. He greeted them both with a cheery 'Hullo, hullo!' and sat down at the table, giving off an intense smell of sweat. Beads of moisture stood out all over his pink face. His powers of sweating were extraordinary. At the Community Centre you could always tell when he had been playing table-tennis by the dampness of the bat handle.” (58/59)
- This physical description portrays Parsons as a rather jolly and an enthusiastic character towards the party and its lines however; he lacked the intelligence which Syme possessed. The description of ‘fat’ and ‘froglike’ showed him as very relaxed and easy going character. He is described by Winston as someone who will never get ‘vaporized’. (64) He described Parsons and characterized him as stupid when he says ‘with the stupidity of an animal’ (59) and reflects on the enthusiasm and gullibility of Parsons in combination with his stupidity.
Parsons’ Style of Speech & Thoughts and Feelings =
- Parsons’ style of speaking is very informal as he addresses Winston as ‘old boy’ on several occasions.
- Furthermore, his description of his son and daughter between page 59 and 62 further show his use of informal language which is suggestive of his lack of education and intellectual ability.
- He is very enthusiastic as well as he remarks ‘the Ministry of Plenty’s certainly done a fine job this year.’ (63) Parsons’ style marks him as enthusiastic and appreciative of the party’s efforts and goals however, also reflects his gullible character as Winston later explains his acceptance as ‘stupidity’. (59)
PURPOSE OF CHARACTER:
Parsons’ character is very similar to Syme’s in regards to their enthusiasm and appreciation of the party and Big Brother. However, Parsons lacks the intellectual ability which Syme possesses and according to Winston, Syme will be vaporized definitely due to his intelligence. Parsons is shown as more of a party model as he is raising his children in full spirit of the party as he proudly recounts their deeds of capturing a complete stranger for the Thought Police. Furthermore, a gullible devotee like him would never question the party at all and thus is easier to control, manipulate, and take advantage of. His character is somewhat parallel to Syme as they are both model party members but with the difference that Parsons has a family and is ‘dumber’ and therefore, a better target of the party.
“times 3.12.83 reporting bb dayorder doubleplusungood refs unpersons
rewrite fullwise upsub antefiling”
Winston’s Attitude towards Parsons =
Winston’s reaction towards Withers is completely unemotional. There is absolutely no emotional response drawn from him that is shown or implied by Orwell through diction, figurative language, or any literary device at all. Winston seems almost mechanical about the job concerning Withers and the only concern one may deduce by his language is that he feels a certain satisfaction in competing for his model of an alternate ‘truth’ for Withers to be accepted. This makes Withers a mere tool and of no importance at all to Winston.
PURPOSE=
The purpose of Withers in the novel seems merely to represent the fact that no one is exempted from the party’s purges. The fact that a ’prominent member of the inner party’ who was given the Order of Conspicuous Merit, Second Class is now ‘unperson[ed]’ illustrates the party’s mechanics which demand of necessity the purging of members throughout the party. Wither’s character highlights the fact that the Party purges at will and reason is not necessarily the reason behind someone being purged but merely the fact that the party’s workings demand purging every so often its members to replenish the atmosphere which is so needed to maintain the environment of human emotions which the party itself moulds and controls.