mate betrayal. The reason '1984' is such an intriguing novel is the similarities that modern society could easily share with the world Orwell envisaged. The whole idea of being watched or monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is, in itself, a frightening concept which in today's society, is a very prominent issue for those who fear the emergence of a Big Brother state. '1984' could be seen as representing a world that has gone 'one step further' than the world we live in today, with technology only needing to advance another step in order for a 'Big Brother' state to become a reality.
             Winston Smith is the main character of the book and the 'last hope for mankind'. He is also pathetic - weak in both body and mind, and very naive. Orwell deliberately portrays him as such a man to show how little hope there is for mankind. In the end, this proves true, as Winston ultimately betrays Julia and allows himself to be brainwashed. The novel ends with Winston realising that he loves Big Brother - the figurehead of all that he wanted to rebel against. Orwell uses mock poetic language at this point to emphasise the futility of Winston's rebellion – 'O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin scented tears trickled down the side of his nose... He had won the victory over himself. He Loved Big Brother.'
             The proletariat or the 'Proles', as they are referred to by the Party members in the novel, are possibly the most important factor to be considered when deciding if Orwell meant for any hope to be drawn from '1984'. Winston is correct when he writes in his diary; 'If there was hope it lay in the Proles', for they are the only people left that have the freedom of thought to be able to contemplate ideas of rebellion. The sheer size of the Prole population within the world of '1984' presents a major th...