While capital punishment was regarded as a vital aspect of the legal system, its execution appeared to severely disturb all those directly involved in the procedure. Even those in charge of executions described it as "a dreadful, unnatural action."
And yet even today we have a natural tendency want to see horrible things and yet not want to view them at the same time, as when a terrible car accident happens and passer-by people slow down to look.
Orwell's opinions on execution can also be seen in his other works. Winston Smith, for example, is tortured and brainwashed into accepting the authority of the Thought Police in his novel 1984. Winston, on the other hand, never completely abandons his belief in the individual's right to life and liberty. He is aware that the Thought Police would eventually murder him, but he refuses to give them the satisfaction of witnessing his demise. So the Thought Police use the death penalty to intimidate and control the population. Orwell uses this device to show how the death penalty can be used to create a totalitarian state.
In his other classical work, Animal Farm, the pigs, who have become the new ruling class, begin to execute the other animals who challenge their authority. Orwell uses this device to show how the death penalty can be used to suppress dissent and maintain power.
Typo alert: "Danny Deever", not "Danny Beever".
Thank you!
While capital punishment was regarded as a vital aspect of the legal system, its execution appeared to severely disturb all those directly involved in the procedure. Even those in charge of executions described it as "a dreadful, unnatural action."
And yet even today we have a natural tendency want to see horrible things and yet not want to view them at the same time, as when a terrible car accident happens and passer-by people slow down to look.
Orwell's opinions on execution can also be seen in his other works. Winston Smith, for example, is tortured and brainwashed into accepting the authority of the Thought Police in his novel 1984. Winston, on the other hand, never completely abandons his belief in the individual's right to life and liberty. He is aware that the Thought Police would eventually murder him, but he refuses to give them the satisfaction of witnessing his demise. So the Thought Police use the death penalty to intimidate and control the population. Orwell uses this device to show how the death penalty can be used to create a totalitarian state.
In his other classical work, Animal Farm, the pigs, who have become the new ruling class, begin to execute the other animals who challenge their authority. Orwell uses this device to show how the death penalty can be used to suppress dissent and maintain power.
Still so very relevant - thank you for posting.