1984 Reading Response 1

In the society of 1984, equality is merely a façade, as evidenced by the proletariats. Conformity, however, is demanded, and the means of enforcement is the fearsome “thought police” as well as citizen spies.  Conformity is not merely forced through violence, however: Winston joins in the frenzy of hatred toward a purported enemy of the people not by intent, but rather because, “A hideous ecstasy of fear and vindictiveness, a desire to kill, to torture, to smash faces in with a sledge hammer, seemed to flow through the whole group…turning one even against one’s will into a grimacing, screaming lunatic.” (Page 16). Thus, conformity is created by a perverse system of law enforcement as well as inescapable societal pressures on the individual.

It should be noted that conformity and the reduction of conflict are addressed mainly within party members. Little attempt is made to control the proletariats’ thoughts or actions beyond obedience when absolutely necessary. In this regard, then, conflict isn’t reduced within the “prole” class. On page 60, for example, Orwell describes a conflict over pots, “Two bloated women, one of them with her hair coming down, had got hold of the same saucepan and were trying to tear it out of one another’s hands.” Prostitution, alcoholism, misery, and poverty are widespread within the prole community. Within party ranks, however, interpersonal and religious conflicts have been banned by simply eliminating all institutions that would allow for conflict- the church, marriage, and independent thought, for example.

1984 is a dystopian novel. Clearly, the society is not functional. On page 68 and 69, Orwell writes, “It was as though some huge force were pressing down upon you-something that penetrated inside your skull, battering against your brain, frightening you out of your beliefs, persuading you, almost, to deny the evidence of your senses.” From a physical standpoint, the society is obviously dysfunctional. Resources are perpetually scarce, and rations continue to shrink. Socially, the society does not permit close friendships or romantic relationships.  Most strikingly, the society is intellectually devoid- dissent is muted, history rewritten, and thought altogether suppressed.  Orwellian society, however, has its benefits. It has achieved happiness for a wide sector of the population, represented by Parsons. It is unclear but possible that the overall standard of living has risen. Yet, overall, 1984 represents dystopia in its destruction of fundamental human and civil rights.