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1984 Human Nature Analysis

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Affinity of Human Nature and Psychological Torture in George Orwell’s 1984 In the novel 1984, Orwell depicts a society in which the entire people conform to one looming belief. Through the character of Winston, Orwell presents us with a figure to exhibit the important qualities of human nature. Winston’s unique nonconformity in this dystopian society lead to a string of psychological torment inflicted upon him, which eventually molds his thoughts to Party ideals. Winston’s psyche becomes completely stripped from him, resulting in the susceptibility of his mind to be conformed to any desired belief. Human nature requires one to hold beliefs in order to function in daily life (A Treatise). The Party recognizes this fragile aspect, and is successful in creating a society maintained by one predominant theory. George Orwell’s utilization of psychological torture in 1984 takes advantage of the intricate structures of human nature and mind in order to manipulate and alter one’s beliefs and disposition. The changes in Winston’s perspective do not abruptly occur all at once. Orwell illustrates the gradual descent of Winston’s mind into acceptance of authoritarian principles set forth by the Party. The anatomy behind the human mind is what …show more content…

According to the outlook of the Party, the human mind is simply a blank state, a compliant object left to be manipulated (Argyros). This is O’Brien’s main objective during the orchestration of Winston’s torture. “‘Never again will you be capable of ordinary human feeling. Everything will be dead inside you. We shall squeeze you empty, and then we shall fill you with ourselves’” (Orwell 124). Once Winston is broken down, all of his individual beliefs prior to the psychological torture becomes dissipated. The only thing left to occupy Winston’s mind is the love for Big Brother that O’Brien has manifested within

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