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A Hanging

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"A Hanging" by George Orwell tells a story of a condemned man seen through the narrator, a man that is given no name nor is it explained what crime he committed, leaving the reader to decide if his fate is just in the short time the narrator is with the condemned. The main idea of the story is that all life is precious.
First the story shows how desensitized society can and has become to the loss of life in everyone. Throughout the story dark tones and generalities are constantly present. The essence of humanity is void instead replaced with a mechanization of the soul to the point that taking a life is seen as a duty, not a blessing or curse. Orwell is a man working away his years, only to be moved by a prisoner, whose life is condemned, causing Orwell to realize the fragility and sanctity of life.
Next Orwell shows that all life is precious. He describes the prisoners’ body in vivid detail and explains that “This man is just as alive as we are alive” (Orwell 315). There is a dog, unaware of the punishment about to be handed down that breaks through and goes straight to the prisoner. He licks and plays with him and views every attempt to catch him as a game. Meanwhile the prisoner thinks this must be part of this process to dehumanize himself before he is executed.
Finally it is only when the prisoner avoids a puddle on way to his death you see a change in view from Orwell. An action so simple, viewed as common place would not be thought of for a second yet it changes the entire story. A man condemned to death in the few paces he has left refuses to bend or break his will or dignity. The simple action of avoiding the puddle Orwell realizing the sanctity of life, the individuality of the prisoner. Knowing the man had been condemned but knowing that every life is precious and that no life should be cut short "in full tide"(Orwell 315).
This story shows us that all

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