Title: 1984 Author: George Orwell Topic: Emotional Response

George Orwell's 1984 evokes a powerful contrast of repulsion and pity in his readers in order to convey the true corruption of the totalitarian government. Throughout Winston's experience at the Ministry of Love, the author exposes the readers to the darkest aspects of human nature. His descriptions of the thought criminals' behaviour in response to the torture imposed by the Ministry are so despicable that the readers first feel disappointed, and then even ashamed to be …

…that Winston has lost the ability to feel. All through the novel, Orwell repulsed and disgusted his readers by exposing them to the very worst of human nature. Yet in the end, no aspect of humanity could evoke emotions that compared to what they felt for Winston's broken spirit- pity. That no degree of human nature is worse than the lifeless machines that the Party conditions is testimony to the corruption of the totalitarian government.