George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” features a diverse cast of characters, each representing different facets of the totalitarian society controlled by the Party. One such character is Parsons, a fellow Party member and neighbor of the protagonist Winston Smith. Parsons serves as an interesting and complex character whose portrayal and actions reveal key themes and ideas in the novel. In this character analysis, we will explore Parsons’ role in the story, his beliefs, his relationship with the Party, and his significance in the overall narrative of “1984”.

Parsons is described as a “short, fussy, and rather foolish-looking man” with a “dust-colored” complexion and a “vivid, darting” eye. He works at the Ministry of Truth, where he is responsible for the “rectification” of historical records, altering them to align with the Party’s ever-changing version of truth. Despite his unassuming appearance, Parsons is a zealous Party member who fully embraces Party ideology and actively supports its principles. He is often portrayed as enthusiastic, obedient, and blindly loyal to the Party, making him a stark contrast to Winston, the protagonist, who harbors rebellious thoughts and questions the Party’s authority.