The mindless body Essays - Historical Revisionism, Mass Surveillance

Dissent, Assent, and the Body in Nineteen Eighty-Four by Naomi Jacobs describes several versions of an oppositional body that can resist dystopia. With the refusal to submit to the discomforts of everyday life by Winston, then the naked body of Julia in lovemaking. Jacobs ?must argue that the devastating pessimism of Orwell?s great novel is based upon an inconsistent and ultimately impoverished model of the body? (1). I agree with Jacobs?s thesis because it would be hard to accept the contradictory ideals and concepts of the party. The rewriting of history, to meet the party?s needs and give a false since of history to the people, to have them think as the party want them to. With being watched by the party all the time and having to control your facial expression and not have any wrongful thoughts, it would be like a body without a mind like a zombie. In Orwell?s novel, it described the breaking and reforming of man by pain. However, I would have to agree with Jacobs ?that minds do not always break under torture, that some people suffer appalling pain and fear and yet refuse to betray their loved ones and their comrades? (14). The strength and the power of loved ones and comrades can give the strength to overcome the pain and fear to protect loved ones and comrades. In conclusion, I agree with Jacobs?s thesis that Orwell underestimated the power and limits of the body and mind. The body and mind can withstand more than what Orwell would let us believe. I think Jacobs was right on the money with his thesis.