Examples Of Humanism In George Orwell's '1984'

Humans have many unique attributes that they are associated with, however, this can be generalized by their emotions, morals, and actions. To Orwell, these attributes may build character, but they do not make humans “perfect beings”. To be human is to be able to take risks for others and be ultimately prepared for defeat. This journey is what one takes to stay human and die as human. Unfortunately, the Party systematically dehumanizes the mass majority for power and success. Winston, throughout the novel, attempts to maintain his human qualities that were once stripped away from the party. To be human is to live a life of your own; this is the only true path to freedom. These characteristics are what the party attempts to diminish, the emotions

In order to reduce human emotions and gain control of individual thought, multiple words are removed. For instance, the word “science” is removed as it opposed “the most fundamental principles of Ingsoc.” Not only does science pose a threat to a party, but it is manipulated to ensure that “technological progress only happens when its products can in some way be used for the diminution of human liberty.” (p.g. 244) Similar to the word “science”, words are used to voice each individual’s thoughts and desires. Hence, the party’s removal of certain words dehumanizes the Oceania citizens. The party also alters thought through propaganda taught in schools. To maintain power while taking away human instincts may seem difficult, however, by altering the minds of the young and impressionable, it becomes easy. The children are “systematically turned into ungovernable little savages, and yet this produced in them no tendency whatever to rebel against the discipline of the Party.” (p.g. 31) As schools only have government approved material, children start to lose the ability to think and question. Their only resource is Big Brother propaganda, leaving them in a state where it is unlikely to rebel. Lastly, the ability to act on one’s own free will is taken away from the mass majority. As surveillance and technology advance against the party members and