Examples Of Cruelty In 1984 By George Orwell

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Cruelty is the main force behind society in George Orwell's 1984. It is the main way the Party maintains control. They have eyes everywhere and mercilessly detain anyone based on the slightest unorthodoxy. This functions because the population has been desensitized to cruelty. This is shown when everyone goes on without a word when he disappears, when people attend hangings for entertainment, or when Parsons is proud of his children for betraying him. Cruelty is different in this society than what we have seen in history because cruelty is the goal, not the means. The goal is not luxury or glory, simply power - the Party’s ability to inflict pain on their fellow man. Even the highest ranking Inner Party members live a modest lifestyle compared