Examples Of Ignorance Bliss In George Orwell's '1984'

Is Ignorance Bliss? It is human nature to seek out happiness. Everyone wants to be happy, whatever happiness means for them. Which leads to the question, Is ignorance bliss? Is there ever a scenario in which a person would not want to know something? Does knowledge always lead to happiness, or can knowledge hinder happiness? In 1984, Winston can see that his life is bad, and he wants to change things. Winston sees Big Brother as the source of his unhappiness, and he wants to overthrow Big Brother. However, many of the other party members love Big Brother. They are happy because they are ignorant to how bad their lives really are; they are ignorant that there could be anything better. In order to explore the question, “Is …show more content…
Parsons follows the wishes of the Party just as Winston does; however, Parsons is actually happy. Nothing makes Parsons happier than knowing that he himself is an obedient citizen of Oceania. Even in the end, when Parsons’s own children report him to the Thought Police, for saying “Down with Big Brother” in his sleep, Parsons is happy to be imprisoned. When Winston encounters Parsons in their cell, Parsons says to Winston, “Between you and me, old man, I’m glad they got me before it went any further. Do you know what I’m going to say to them when I go up before the tribunal? “Thank you,” I’m going to say, “thank you for saving me before it was too late”’ (Orwell 503). In fact, Parsons is even proud that his own children reported him, boasting to Winston, “Pretty smart for a nipper of seven, eh? I don’t bear her any grudge for it. In fact I’m proud of her. It shows I brought her up in the right spirit, anyway” (Orwell