The Human Right to Personal Security in 1984 Essay Example

Human rights are the basic rights that every human being is given and they are not to be revoked. Human rights are important to me because they allow everyone to have an equal playing field and to be able to live civil lives if their rights are respected. As a person learning for justice, knowing these rights allows me to fight for justice depending on the situation. In George Orwell's book, 1984, he expresses what it would be like to live in a totalitarian government in London from the eyes of a 38 year old man who questions the government. 1984 shows you what an injustice society looks like with no human rights, thus giving us a platform to learn for justice and how violating human rights affects the average person. While incorporating imagery, Geroge Orwell describes the invasive ways that the government in 1984 watches the members of their society, violating their human right to personal security. I have the right to have personal security in my society which lets me know that their government is capable of giving that right to their people as well. 

The human right to personal security is an essential part of being able to be your own human being. Learning about yourself and experiencing situations requires privacy to do so. In the book the use of imagery allows for insight as to how the Party members feel. With the use of not only technology, readers are shown how the human right to privacy is truly violated in their society. Winston provides himself with some form of personal security to feel at peace in a society where that is uncalled for. Geroge Orwell uses imagery throughout the book to show how Winston is struggling mentally from the lack of security in his life. In his community it is normal to have cameras everywhere as well as microphones. In 1984 the author shows the abuse of personal security through imagery when he explains how no one is allowed to turn their tvs off at any time. He also expresses how there are hidden cameras everywhere such as in the streets, in stores, and in the woods. George Orwell says, “It was even conceivable that they watched everybody all the time. But at any rate they could plug in your wire whenever they wanted to. You had to live—did live, from habit that became instinct—in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement was scrutinized,” (5). The quote allows us to experience the fear and anxiety that Winston has grown to have because of the fact that there is no privacy allowed. In our society we could be watched through our screens at any time but we have the ability to fight back on this invasion due to our rights. The party members of Oceania do not have the same rights as us allowing for the Party to not only use technology to exploit their rights but other sources as well.

As mentioned previously, the human right to personal security is critical when one is finding themselves but it is especially necessary when bringing another living being into this world with your partner. Imagery is one of the ways Orwell chose to convey certain situations in which personal security is violated because it allows us to really feel the uncomfort or anxiety that is taking place. Winston does not have any children of his own, allowing for a somewhat safe space at home when not in eyesight of the TV camera. The author incorporates imagery in circumstances where Winston encounters children, which brings up past experiences he has had being a kid as well as situations he's seen with other kids. Children are known for turning in their parents for thought crime, which violates the human right to personal security. Mrs. Parsons' kids, who are also the kids of a fellow employee at Winstons work, were upset that they couldn't go see the hanging that had taken place that day. After Winston had finished helping Mrs Parson, he went to leave up the stairs to his apartment when one of the kids ran after him and shot him in the back with a play gun. This is normal for kids in the community to do because they are taught to show their loyalty to the party at all times. The author says, “Nearly all children nowadays were horrible. What was worst of all was that by means of such organizations as the Spies they were systematically turned into ungovernable little savages,” (Orwell 31). The children think of it as a game which not only violates the parents' privacy but also shows how well the Party has manipulated the childrens’ minds. Although parents are watched by other sources, their children are able to catch things a camera may not pick up on. Human rights are not only supposed to be respected but they are meant to be given to everyone no matter who they are or where they come from.

The human right to personal security is given to people for them to be able to learn about themselves and those they love in a comfortable situation. A violation of personal security can be revealed in many ways but in 1984 the author uses imagery to allow us to be able to visualize the severeness of the situation. Winston is a typical party member that is not given the privileges of personal security. George Orwell explains the significance of being able to have a feeling of privacy through imagery in situations where those of higher status are given more privacy than the average person. Human rights are not to be only given to some as a privilege, showing that the party is violating their peoples rights. O’Brien, an inner party member, had invited Winston and Julia over to be a part of the brotherhood. He did not say it straight out when he invited them but the context was implied just because of the fact that they were talking in the first place. According to O’Brien, inner party members are allowed 30 minutes of time to turn their TV’s off. On the other hand though, the average party member is forbidden to do this. George Orwell writes, “As O’Brien passed the telescreen a thought seemed to strike him. He stopped, turned aside and pressed a switch on the wall. There was a sharp snap. The voice had stopped,”(214). The actions that take place in this quote violate the fact that everyone is supposed to have the right to security. This shows that only those “favorited” are allowed certain rights which means to me that the government doesn't care for all of their people. Human rights are the most significant way that the government can show us that they care for us and truly want what's best for us.

The lesson I received from this book is that you can express your views on justice and human rights such as the right to privacy while also backing it up with examples of the evidence and how it violates the rights. I apply my logos by always having information to back my opinion when I decide to express it in both a casual and formal setting. I am reliable and a very caring person so I want to make sure that I give out information that is valid to those around me. I live by my logos in my everyday life. For example, me and my boyfriend were having a conversation about politics and I had a point that I wanted to make but I wasn't entirely sure if it was true or just something I saw on instagram. So while he was expressing his views I looked it up and found a source to back me up. I sent him the source and then explained to him my views. This was a small act but it allowed me to continue an honest and truthful conversation that didn't escalate because it was based on facts not just thoughts.