Dehumanization Toward Winston Smith in George Orwell's 1984

Abstract

Dehumanization is the act of stripping an individual of his/her own right to be a human. This act could be implemented in several ways, such as degrading their existence and/or equaling them to a mere object, taking away their rights to do something individually, dictating them to do someone’s bidding, and taking away their privacy. This study aims to describe the dehumanization toward Winston Smith, and reveal his response to it. This study used a literary approach by applying the concept of dehumanization by Nick Haslam. George Orwell’s 1984 PDF format is the main data source of this research, where the data are in the form of quotations from the novel which are relevant to the topic discussed. Based on the analysis, this study showed that Winston receives various dehumanizing acts from lack of privacy, mental oppression through propaganda, and physical torture by his own friends. In the novel, Winston also shows several responses opposing the dehumanization that he receives by writing a diary, which symbolizes his free thought. It also revealed that dehumanization made Winston become an egotistical person, putting his own goal to save his humanity first and foremost, while other people are not relevant to him. The last response revealed that Winston decided to love someone in a country that forbid love. His actions are supported by the appearance of Julia, his co-worker whom he takes an interest in.