The clear antagonist in 1984 is Big Brother who is the source of all power and all conflict. Who is Big Brother though? His representative in this novel is O’Brien, who also convinced Winston to join the brotherhood against Big Brother. I was shocked when I discovered O’Brien’s betrayal not only to Winston, but to me. I was expecting a mass of people against Big Brother to group together and fight. O’Brien gave Winston a book on the truths of the party, and he invited Winston and Julia to his house to tell them how to join the brotherhood. He was their friend. Then he revealed himself as the exact opposite of Winston; the person who was the perfect Party follower and who knew all the answers. He made me angry because he acted so hopeful and then crushed the hope with his power. O’Brien, you were a disappointment.
"Never again will you be capable of love, or friendship, or joy of living, or laughter, or curiosity, or courage, or integrity. You will be hollow. We shall squeeze you empty, and then we shall fill you with ourselves" (page 211).
--O'Brien
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