Why does Nineteen Eighty-Four feature an English hero in Winston Smith, and an Irish villain in O’Brien?
Because Orwell was a simpleton, and deep down was no different than other middle class englishmen of his day. His hatred of the irish and papists is just facet of that.
I find this essay very compelling. It is a lengthier read and gets quite philosophical and complex at times but it delves into some highly relevant topics, some of which such as the reactionary tendencies of the western proletariat have been a heated topic of discussion here recently. I was particularly impressed with the deconstruction of the concept of “brainwashing”, the (re-)introduction of the notion of a “bourgeois proletariat” (originally coined by Engels), and the highlighting of the importance of art in supporting or challenging the ideological superstructure.
I’m still reading it; here’s an excerpt I liked:
“In short: Westerners aren’t helpless innocents whose minds are injected with atrocity propaganda, science fiction-style; they’re generally smug bourgeois proletarians who intelligently seek out as much racist propaganda as they can get their hands on. This is because it fundamentally makes them feel better about who they are and how they live. The psychic and material costs are rationally worth the benefits. As for those anti-imperialists who don’t participate in this festival of xenophobia — and here I include myself — we have our own elitist consolation: we accept the tragedy of masses of gullible sheeple falling for cunning propaganda because having overcome it flatters our own intelligence. The more we condemn society’s stupidity, the smarter we feel in comparison.”
Day is making an argument that western society is brainwashed; they actively enjoy being materially well off at the expense of the rest of the world.
I think there is a bit of both. Propaganda in the US is intense, and it’s everywhere. I don’t think you can discount it, especially since it starts at such a young age.
Yes that was a passage that stood out to me as well, it contains some astute observations that are quite elegantly formulated.
I agree with you, i too think it’s a bit of both. Day just warns us not to fall into the trap of believing that the western proletariat - in essence a global labor aristocracy - are merely “brainwashed” innocent victims. There is definitely a degree of willing complicity.
This is a really good article!
an eileen jones citation!
will have to read this again…I have mixed feelings about it, but re-reading it might make more sense to me
