George Orwell once offered this definition of heroism: ordinary people doing whatever they can to change social systems that do not respect human decency, even with the knowledge that they can’t possibly succeed. In Winston Smith, the protagonist of 1984, Orwell creates an ordinary person, an “everyman” who stands for all the oppressed citizens of Oceania. Yet, as the novel closes, Winston cries as his love for Big Brother overwhelms him. Is Winston the novel’s hero, by Orwell’s definition? Is he a hero that readers can admire and emulate?

Read the excerpt from rena's promise: two sisters in auschwitz. “i have a favor to ask of you, andrzej . . this is very difficult for me, but i must ask. it is no longer safe in tylicz for rena. her mother and i are worried for her safety every day.” “i heard what happened last night, mr. kornreich. i understand your concern.” “i have no money to pay you for this favor.” “sir, i would not take any money from you. she is my friend since childhood. i will do whatever you ask to your daughter.” “ you.” papa paused, stroking his chin where his beard should have been. “you seem like a man of your word. if you would bring rena across the border to slovakia, her mother and i might find sleep at night.” which best summarizes the excerpt? although he does not trust andrzej, rena’s father fears for his daughter’s life and finally agrees to leave her with him. slovakia is the only safe place for the jews of europe, and andrzej has agreed to take rena there. rena’s father asks andrzej to take her to safety in slovakia, and he agrees to do so. after much deliberation, rena’s father pays a polish man to take her safely across the border to slovakia. mark this and return