Identity and its destruction in ‘The Pillowman’ and ‘1984 Arianne Flit 12th Grade

The 20th century saw the rise of totalitarian governments worldwide. Naturally, writers turned to their craft to express the horrors of their regimes. This expression not only encompassed social issues and political views, but also provided a close look at human nature itself. Many works examine identity, as it was challenged by regimes which sought to instill conformity in everyone: out of these, two stand out for their clever exploration of identity. In the context of the extreme conditions of a totalitarian regime, the congruent development yet distinct perspectives of these works allow for a deeper understanding of identity and whether it can survive in an adverse environment.

In the strict, stifling society of ‘1984’, the governing Party seeks to completely weed out the individuality which characterizes Winston Smith. He is an ordinary man - and simultaneously “The Last Man in Europe” (Thorp, 1984) that opposes the Party from within - who struggles to preserve his identity, a challenge which becomes increasingly difficult. The totalitarian government in ‘The Pillowman’ challenges Katurian’s identity in a way that is undeniably similar to how Winston’s identity is threatened. Writer Katurian Katurian looks for the truth in...