1984 Persuasive Essay

856 Words2 Pages

‘1984’ Persuasive Essay Can our feelings, our relationships, our humanity, be taken against our will? The short answer is ‘no.’ The long answer is ‘maybe.’ Our feelings, relationships, and humanity are intangible. These elements of our existence are not physical objects that can be seized or confiscated. They reside within our minds and ‘hearts,’ making them inherently resistant to external control. However, there are ways in which external forces might influence or suppress our humanity. In George Orwell's 1984, Winston Smith reflects, "Nothing was your own except the few cubic centimetres inside your skull" (Orwell, 1984), stating the intangible nature of our inner world that remains beyond the reach of totalitarian control. Feelings cannot be helped but to feel. Our bodies will always …show more content…

Our sensory and emotional responses are automatic; we feel pain when we are hurt, hunger when we need sustenance, and warmth when we are embraced. These visceral reactions are beyond conscious control and cannot be wholly taken from us. However, external factors can dull or manipulate these feelings. For instance, psychological or physical torture can numb emotional responses, while sustained deprivation can desensitize us to hunger or warmth. Yet, even in the most extreme conditions, the capacity to feel persists, indicating that while our feelings can be influenced, they cannot be entirely taken away from our will. In 1984, Winston experiences this when he says, "He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother" (Orwell, 1984). This chilling declaration illustrates how external forces can manipulate feelings, but the intrinsic capacity to feel remains, albeit distorted. Relationships with those we love, hate, mourn, cannot be taken from us. Relationships are the bonds that connect us to others. While physical separation or societal pressures can strain or alter these relationships, the core emotional ties often remain

Open Document