Characterization Practice – Part 2, Chapter 8 from “1984”

a) Introductory sentence, introduce novel, author and topic
b) What is characterization in your own words?
c) What is direct characterization?
d) Give a quotation integration example that shows direct characterization about WINSTON SMITH.
e) Explain the example.
f) What is indirect characterization?
g) Give a quotation integration example that shows indirect characterization about WINSTONSMITH.
h) Explain the example.
i) Concluding sentence.

 

“1984,” a dystopian novel by George Orwell, goes into the life of Winston Smith, a man struggling against a totalitarian regime that employs constant surveillance and mind control. Characterization is the method by which an author reveals the personality, traits, and qualities of a character within a story, allowing readers to understand and connect with them. Direct characterization occurs when the author explicitly describes the traits of a character, providing clear and straightforward details about their personality or appearance. An example of direct characterization about Winston Smith can be found in the opening of “1984”: “Winston, who was thirty-nine and had a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, went slowly, resting several times on the way.” This explicitly describes Winston’s physical appearance and age, providing readers with a direct insight into his frail and unhealthy state, which contrasts with the vigorous demands of the oppressive regime he lives under. Indirect characterization is when the author reveals a character’s traits through their actions, thoughts, dialogue, and interactions with other characters, allowing readers to infer qualities without being explicitly told. An example of indirect characterization about Winston Smith can be seen in his secretive behavior: “He took out a penholder, a bottle of ink, and a thick, quarto-sized blank book with a red back and a marbled cover. For some reason the telescreen in the living room was in an unusual position. Instead of being placed as to command the whole room, it was in the end wall, and the side wall was in shadow.” This example shows Winston’s cautious and rebellious nature indirectly. His secretive actions in hiding his writing from the omnipresent telescreen suggest his desire for privacy and resistance to the Party’s constant surveillance. Through both direct and indirect characterization, Orwell skillfully brings Winston Smith to life, illustrating his complexities and the profound impact of the oppressive world in which he exists.

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