Why do we need narratives?
Why do we keep telling stories?
Since the dawn of time, people have told stories about their lives, their loves and their losses.
We tell stories to help us with our quest for freedom. When the ability to express our past is lost, we lose a sense of who we are.
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Throughout the human era, societies have consistently been attempting to grasp a utopian society through different collective structures. In every example that we have seen over history, has failed due to the overwhelming impact of the individual within the community. 1984 by George Orwell brings this idea to an extreme as he explores the understanding of the human experience through individuals dignity, personal freedom and the dangers of totalitarianism. When reading especially the first chapter of 1984 I could not get past the use of point of view and the time location that the story was set in, this reminded me of the classic text by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn called One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich which also explores similar themes such as the struggle for human dignity and the totalitarian parties unjust punishment.
Both these texts are centred around individuals experiences during life. The enhancement of a rich portrayal of the individual surrounded by oppression on every corner which is influenced by the rise of Nazi fascism is the perfect setting for one to battle with the idea of one’s self-worth and dignity. In the case of Orwell’s longing for the political truth, he battles with basic human needs that we take for granted today. Early on we discover that he is reduced right down below human as he is given a number to be known by. This subconsciously sends the message that he is of the level of live-stock animals awaiting the slaughterhouse; the same techniques that are used in POW camps except this is his everyday life before he had even done anything wrong. This inescapable paradox is extensively explored throughout the entirety of Orwell’s search for the true human experience as the party continues to push back on the knowledge of even simple mathematics. The line 2+2=5 is the first example we see where the party is lying, mind washing the general public to force their ideology of a Utopian society where, in fact, everyone doesn’t know they are unhappy as they don’t know anything.
Comparatively the ‘Stalinist labour camp’ which Ivan is trapped in is designed to bring about mental torture upon the captured as they are subject to temperatures well below zero, less than enough food to survive on and mattresses without sheets that seem as they have been washed in the mud prior to use. For example, Shukhov is referred to as “Shcha-85”, a mear mesh of his letters and a number (just as Orwell was in 1984). The fight for one’s personal sanity is more of a battle than the war which he was captured in, however, despite all hope being sucked from within him he is still seen to be removing his hat prior to mealtime, praying and reminding himself every morning of his upbringing as a civilised young man.
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Human Dignity in Ivan Denisovich: Critical Analysis.
(2022, July 14). Edubirdie. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/struggle-for-human-dignity-in-one-day-in-the-life-of-ivan-denisovich-critical-analysis/
“Human Dignity in Ivan Denisovich: Critical Analysis.” Edubirdie, 14 Jul. 2022, edubirdie.com/examples/struggle-for-human-dignity-in-one-day-in-the-life-of-ivan-denisovich-critical-analysis/
Human Dignity in Ivan Denisovich: Critical Analysis. [online].
Available at: <https://edubirdie.com/examples/struggle-for-human-dignity-in-one-day-in-the-life-of-ivan-denisovich-critical-analysis/> [Accessed 22 Dec. 2024].
Human Dignity in Ivan Denisovich: Critical Analysis [Internet]. Edubirdie.
2022 Jul 14 [cited 2024 Dec 22].
Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/struggle-for-human-dignity-in-one-day-in-the-life-of-ivan-denisovich-critical-analysis/
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