Who is Syme in 1984?

In my English class, we're discussing the novel 1984, and I'm a little bit confused about the character Syme. What role does he play in the narrative, and why is he important?

Syme is a minor yet significant character in George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984. He is a philologist and works alongside the protagonist, Winston Smith, at the Ministry of Truth. Syme is primarily responsible for developing and refining Newspeak, the official language of Oceania, designed to eradicate all dissent and independent thought by simplifying and reducing the vocabulary.

In the narrative, Syme serves as an embodiment of Party loyalty and a representation of how the Party manipulates language to control its citizens. He is deeply enthusiastic and committed to his work, showing a strong belief in the Party's vision. His character also illustrates the potential vulnerability even dedicated Party members face. Despite his loyalty, Syme's intelligence and understanding of the Party's intentions put him at risk. Winston predicts that Syme will eventually be targeted by the Party and subsequently disappear due to his ostensibly dangerous intellectualism, foreshadowing the inevitable outcome that befalls so many people in the totalitarian regime of Oceania.

Throughout the novel, Syme's character highlights the chilling erosion of free thought and expression that is a central theme in 1984. His fascination with perfecting Newspeak serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of authoritarianism, as well as the power of language as a tool of control and repression. Syme's fate ultimately underscores the futility of resistance against an all-powerful, omnipresent authority such as the Party, leaving both Winston and the reader to contemplate the grim reality of life in Oceania.