Orwell demonstrates the ability of an authoritarian regime to dehumanize its citizens by tearing down ideas of individualism and pleasure with threats of pain, which, Orwell warns, is only possible in a society in which the existence objective truth is denied. Orwell uses sex and pleasure as a symbol for humanity; those without it fail to be human. Winston’s wife, for instance, was entirely controlled by the Party, despised sex. She only tolerated it as a “duty to the Party” (Orwell 67). Katherine’s humanity is virtually nonexistent; she is portrayed as nothing but a tool for the Party. She avoids all pleasure as if it were sinful. Orwell writes this to show that desire is a natural human trait; one cannot be human without desire. Furthermore, Julia, Katherine’s foil, is incredibly lustful, yet is the most human person other than Winston. She even …show more content…
Threat of forced labor and torture is constant and looming, displayed in the literal looming of the Ministry of Love: “[The Ministry of Love] was an enormous pyramidal structure of glittering white concrete, soaring up, terrace after terrace, three hundred meters into the air” (4). The citizens fall in line out of fear, shifting even their subconscious. Orwell demonstrates that the threat of physical pain will make humans change their very nature. However, Winston defies this rejecting the Party and refusing to change his nature. But, when enough physical pain is applied, he breaks,conversely rejecting his humanity in devotion to the party: “Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don’t care what you do to her.” (286). Julia, again a symbol of love and humanity is betrayed. Orwell displays that there is no greater motivator than suffering; a fact utilized by the Party. The Party has total control because of its ability to use pain, the most powerful human motivator, to eliminate all other human