Winston Smith is the 39-year-old protagonist of the novel. He has a constantly-itching varicose ulcer on his ankle and is susceptible to coughing fits, physical ailments paralleling the dismay of London under Party rule. Winston is an Outer Party member, placing him below the Inner Party yet above the proletariat in the novel’s political and social hierarchy. Winston suspects life was better before the revolution and the rise of the Party’s power, but he knows the dangers of crossing the Party so remains diligent in his work and tries to keep the appearance of an obedient and unquestioning Party member.

Winston triggers the rising action of the plot when he begins writing in a diary acquired from a prole shop. His character arc highlights the theme of The Psychological Toll of Constant Surveillance. He is already frustrated with the Party when the novel begins, and his hatred for the Party grows as the novel’s action progresses towards the climax. Winston’s actions become riskier as the plot continues, going from writing in a personal diary to having a love affair and eventually confessing his anti-Party sentiments openly to O’Brien. In the plot’s brief resolution, though, Winston is a changed Party member: He spends his days drinking Victory Gin and is obedient to—even loves—Big Brother.