A hero is often times defined as one who holds and exercises qualities that no one else is able to. In addition to that, a hero is not considered to be a typical ordinary person. A hero is generally required to succeed in doing something great at all costs-a by-product of a society that strives for perfection, strives for success.
While it seems that all heroes must succeed in accomplishing something great, it could be argued that the best heroes may not succeed in truly accomplishing anything at all, but rather in laying the foundation for the accomplishment of great things to follow. In the works of George Orwell's 1984, and Terry Gilliam's Brazil, the two main characters in the story are the perfect representation of this type of hero.
They exemplify a mindset that reaches beyond their limitations, the mindset to attempt to correct the injustices in their life, and the ability to carry on a lasting legacy as literary heroes even though they failed as conventional heroes by the end of their stories.
Both the characters, Sam Lowry from Brazil, and Winston Smith from 1984, exemplified a mind set that reached beyond their limitations. Both characters worked middle tier jobs for their respective governments, both of which were oppressive to both the body and mind. The governments went through great lengths to control the actions, thoughts, and feelings of every citizen, even the supposedly privileged ones who got to work for them.
In some ways, Sam Lowry had a much easier time dealing with such a controlling society. While he was controlled by the government he worked for, he did not have the constant surveillance that Winston Smith had from "Big Brother." Because their was no thought police, he was able to carry out his dream of meeting the literal woman of his dreams, proving that he would not be limited entirely by the state for which he lived.
Winston Smith did a similar thing by attempting to carry on a relationship with Julia. The government of Oceana would have never accepted this; however, nonetheless, he was bound and determined to be with the love of his life. Winston refused to live by the bounds of which the state of Ocean placed upon him in a similar fashion as Sam Lowry refused to live by the bounds his state imposed upon him. It is because of that attitude that they may be considered great literary heroes.
In addition to not accepting the limitations placed on them by their governments, they both attempted to correct those injustices. In 1984, Winston Smith realizes that the government of Oceana was telling their people lies about who they are at war with. He realizes that they continue to change their story of history however they see fit in order to control the people of Oceana. Winston does not like the idea of this type of control over him and the other residents of Oceana.
He bravely trusts people while conspiring with them to realize what is going on, and attempts to spark an uprising against the government. He keeps a journal of his rebellious thoughts; something he knows is highly illegal and attempts to hide it from Big Brother as best he can. Winston is confused throughout the story about why he has these thoughts and feelings-however, he embraces those feelings as an extension of who he is as a person and never tries to regret who he is.
Sam Lowry also tried to accept his feelings and correct the injustices in his life. He dreams of soaring high in life with the girl of his dreams at his side. He works extremely hard to find out who this girl he keeps dreaming of is. He even accepts a promotion that he does not necessarily want in an effort to garner more information about her.
Winston and Sam in the beginning of their stores seemed to have no passion or purpose in their life. They worked normal seemingly unimportant jobs in order to simply blend in with society. They lacked a certain element of excitement and passion that otherwise normal un-brainwashed people would display.
They truly were oppressed, and to an extent against their will. However, it was the love in their hearts that allowed the passion to start showing, and the realization that they were oppressed to sink in. Once they had discovered that fact, both Sam and Winston gave it their best shot at allowing themselves to break through the barriers that restrained them.
This is the reason why both Sam and Winston were able to carry on a lasting legacy as literary heroes even though they failed as conventional heroes. The most poignant scene in 1984 was when Winston was sent to be tortured in room 101. It was there when he thought about what Julia was going through and he decided in his mind that “if he could save Julia by doubling his own pain, he would.”
This is perhaps the best example of showing how Winston Smith became a hero by liberating his mind from the evil control of Oceana's government. Even though he would eventually fail at being able to be totally free, the face that he proved he could do it in the face of an immense amount torture for a brief amount of time sealed his fate forever as a great literary hero.
It begs the question that even though in the end, he becomes a pawn in the mind control game of Oceana's Government, did he still succeed in what he was trying to accomplish? Sam Lowry had a similar fate-He was able have that feeling of liberation for a brief period of time, until it was taken away. But did he necessarily fail at what he was trying to accomplish?
While they may have not had that period of liberation for very long, Winston and Sam were still able to soak up what it was like to feel the things that were prohibited. Feelings of love and passion for another are feelings that can never be replaced and are feelings that not many people under those mind controlling governments were able to experience. In summation of this point recall what Alfred Lord Tennyson once so eloquently stated, “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
It is for this brief period of liberation and feeling of love which they worked so hard to experience for even just a moment, that both Winston Smith and Sam Lowry become great literary heroes, despite in a sense failing and relapsing to the control of their governments.
The best heroes may not succeed in truly accomplishing anything at all, but rather in laying the foundation for the accomplishment of great things to follow-Winston and Sam did this. They exemplify a mindset that reaches beyond their limitations, they had the mindset to attempt to correct the injustices in their life, and they carried on a lasting legacy as literary heroes even though they failed as conventional heroes by the end of their respective stories. It is the works of art like 1984 and Brazil and the characters like Winston Smith and Sam Lowry, who make you appreciate your ability to have free thoughts.
