1984

How is sex viewed in 1984? Compare it with how sex is viewed in Huxley's BNW.

1984

Asked by
Last updated by Roskolnikov
Answers 2
Add Yours
Best Answer

Sexuality in Orwell's 1984 is frowned upon. Sex between outer party members is strictly forbidden and punishable by death. The Party seeks to stamp out the sex instinct. The Party only recognizes sanctioned unions for the purpose of procreation to provide people to keep the party going. Huxley's novel bills sex to a favourite past time like going to Starbucks or something. Sex without meaning is encouraged. People are encouraged to live out their sexual fantasies every day until the act has little intrinsic meaning.

In Brave New World, sex is encouraged for both pleasure and reproductive purposes. On the other hand, in 1984 the Party takes the pleasure out of it and only certain members of the party and the proles are allowed to reproduce. Whereas BNW seems to understand sex as an opiate, 1984 seems to view it as a liberating experience.