Irving Howe’s article about 1984 brings up many debatable topics. In my opinion, George Orwell’s “1984” is indeed a novel. It is a fictional story about a man who lives in a society similar to actual societies such as a totalitarian society. I both agree and disagree with what Howe states about the story. “In Oceania the sex instinct, particularly among members of the Outer Party (the lower bureaucracy), is virtually obliterated” (Howe). This brings to my first point on how I agree with Howe when he states that George Orwell slightly exaggerates about the obliteration of sex and sexual freedom. I understand how the leaders are trying to diminish feelings and enjoyment, but how in the world can humans who have been having sex for eons, can suddenly not have the urge to have sex. Sexual desires are not taught by parents or teachers, it is simply in our blood and minds, it is part of being human being. This is when Orwell does not make sense at all in my opinion. I can understand if sex was limited to human beings as a way of torture in their society, but totally diminishing something that cannot be diminished just does not make sense to me. Also, why would one be caught or killed if he has sexual desires. Are they not supposed to be human?
Another point that I do agree with Howe is that the society that 1984 takes place in is
indeed how a totalitarian society would fall under Totalitarianism does indeed destroy
personal behaviors, talents, religion, faith, and sadly memory. Totalitarianism tries to
mold a human into a machine, rather than an individual with their own chosen beliefs,
wants, desires both sexually and non sexually, and also a significant aspect called social memory, which makes each individual unique because of their own memories. By
cutting/destroying one’s memories and filling minds with programmed “memories”, this destroys the human population and makes every single being a molded machine or robot, with each individual to have the same thoughts, memories, and desires.
In the end, George Orwell’s 1984 is just a novel that has been altered by actual political systems. The article does in fact make me look at the book in a different perspective, and how one should question everything. People might believe that Orwell was in fact implying an attack on political systems such as Socialism or other systems, but I think Orwell’s 1984 is his imagination and belief of what might happen in the future. The novel 1984 opened my eyes and made me see today’s society in a whole new aspect. Orwell wrote 1984 to provide us with an educational and debatable novel, but he might have written it to open the eyes of the people and show them what can happen to society one day, to simply not be ignorant and be a little more observant of our surroundings.
No comments:
Post a Comment