Table of Contents
Introduction
“1984” by George Orwell is a book that presents complete and utter hatred — hatred of those who are not the same and hate of wickedness. In this novel, love represents an incomprehensible and absolutely irrelevant emotion. The absence of affection and compassion is what makes it possible to introduce a totalitarian regime. However, society instinctively seeks love and kindness in order to prosper, and without it, no one can be genuinely content or free. This is advantageous for “1984” because it is a society ruled by hate, but the lack of love sparks a rebellion by those who appreciate the value of love. Expecting a relationship in this system is a real death sentence, and no moral persuasion or emotional commitment is powerful enough to resist torment or treachery. Bodily suffering and terror will inevitably produce people alter their beliefs if it will put an end to their pain.
We can do it today.
Love and feelings as a component of human nature without which it is impossible to survive
It is vital for the authorities of this state to manage attitudes and feelings; the leaders instill hate and discourage love in their population. The Party believes that this is the only way to successfully revolt against their power. The possibility for love relationships in this system is almost impossible because of the despotic government and the fear of being exposed by the Party bosses. The party is aware that love should not be born because it is ruled by emotions. It is assumed that “men are infinitely malleable.” (Part 3. Ch. 3, Pg. 282) and no one should be allowed to become attached to another. The Party enables people to get intimate, but then uses torment to force them to cheat on each other — this is what eventually destroys everyone. No one can enter into a relationship severed by treason.
The Party not only criminalizes romantic fidelity; it also produces loveless family relationships. Kids in families display neither love nor care for their parents. The Party directs them to spy on their mother and father, to be tiny infidelity interrogators. The community has evolved into one where “it was almost normal for people. . . to be frightened of their own children. (Part 1, Ch. 2, Pg. 27) The Party encourages a system in which kids who betray their parents are rewarded, so mothers cannot express feelings for their children without being fearful of betrayal — which can lead to torment.
Families can no longer be as connected as they formerly were — each family gains grounds to be scared of each other and to be concerned that they might be exposed by their children. The family represents not such a driving force to unite all together without fear of being condemned. It is no more the relatives who establish norms and enforce authority — it is the state that brings up children, and families are not without reason afraid of their own descendants, in whose hands their fate is.
The most fundamental part of human nature is that people can attach to each other to develop affectionate relationships. A person must have somebody to struggle with, to rise up against oppression, but in this community any idea of love is usually overshadowed by the realization that anyone can cheat. The Party does not allow emotional commitment and threatens torment to any relationship. No one can honorably sustain a relationship under Party duress. Ultimately, treason is the only path that transcends even the primary human desire for love.
The idea of passionate affection is an illusion that cannot become a reality, because the insurgents’ hearts and minds are gradually being drilled with the idea that such love will only result in tragic misfortune. One day, the lovers will transform into ruined depressed people and betray the one who, in their opinion, imprisoned them. Love can be worth going to all lengths for but regrettably, ultimately, you persuade yourself into a dead end. And risking everything is equivalent to voluntarily agreeing to a death sentence. Affection and faithfulness are not sufficiently influential factors in this society — the dominant aspect is treason, and by this treason a person accepts the doom to death.
Conclusion
Love and emotional attachment, the basic elements of human nature, make a person fear suffering and treachery, as well as abandonment, which after all forces everyone to embrace the oppression and terror that enables the Party to succeed. In this community, in order to survive, one must not be permitted to establish relationships. One must be lonely and secluded because it is imperative to have love, but not to search for it fatalistically. Love has turned into an instrument of manipulation for the Party. Love is a treachery, and it is human nature to resist this treachery. People may desire to retain connections with each other, but the final awareness that emerges from the novel is that no sentimental ties or ethical beliefs can survive in the face of absolute pain.
We can do it today.