Parsons' Loyalty and Fall

Character fate flow for Parsons, the perfect Party follower who is denounced by his own child.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Devoted Drudge

The Devoted Drudge The Imbecile Enthusiasm Parsons is a fat, active man of paralysing stupidity, full of imbecile zeal. He spends every evening at the Community Centre and organizes processions, hikes, and spontaneous demonstrations. The Sweat His overpowering smell of sweat follows him everywhere, a testimony to his physical efforts. Winston sees him as a pillar of the Party, more important even than the Thought Police in maintaining stability. The Danger Parsons is dangerous not because he is cruel but because he is utterly unquestioning. He will denounce anyone, including his own father, if commanded.

The Proud Father

The Proud Father The Anecdote Parsons tells Winston and Syme how his daughter followed a stranger for two hours and handed him over to the patrols. He beams with pride at her keenness. The Normalized Spying The story shows how the Party warps children into instruments. Parsons sees nothing wrong; he is proud that his daughter has become a miniature Thought Police officer. The Domestic Terror Winston thinks of Mrs Parsons, who lives in fear of her own children. The family is a jail with the children as guards.

The Nightmare of Guilt

The Nightmare of Guilt The Sleep-Talker Parsons is arrested because he muttered 'Down with Big Brother' in his sleep. He tells Winston the story with a mixture of horror and pride, adding that his daughter denounced him. The Confession He insists he is guilty and grateful to the Party for catching him before it went further. He asks only that they shoot him quickly, because waiting is unbearable. The Broken Shell Parsons' unquestioning faith makes him a perfect victim. He has no power to resist the Party, even when it kills him.

The Waiting Room

The Waiting Room The Last Request Parsons uses the lavatory in full view of the other prisoners, unable to control his bowels. The telescreen barks at him to cover his face, but he cannot keep up any dignity. The Party's Thanks He will go before the tribunal and thank the Party for saving him. This is the logical conclusion of his indoctrination: the executioner is also the savior. The Utter Loss Parsons is a tragedy of devotion without insight. He is destroyed not by rebellion but by the very loyalty he embodies.

early chapters

canteen scene

inside the Ministry of Love cell

during the cell scene