Humanity in "A Hanging" by George Orwell
             In the essay "A Hanging" by George Orwell, there are distinct references to a deeper humanity of the situation, as well as a genuine awareness of humanity's ambivalence. There are two powerful examples in the essay that illuminates this contradiction. First, Orwell employs references to animal captivity, and provides a startling contrast to the brutal living conditions of the prisoners with an event of animalistic affection. Also, Orwell explores the duplicity of the human conscience, again, inspired by a seemingly meaningless event: the prisoner avoiding the puddle on his way to being hanged. Such minor, yet crucial details are what make Orwell such an excellent writer-he sees the world as it is: full of wonder and ugliness.
             Orwell describes the condemned prisoners as "brown silent men squatting at the inner bars, with their blankets wrapped around them." He makes them seem very much like caged animals in his description-the prisoners are, after all, waiting for death in "small animal cages." The prisoner to be put to death is removed from his cell by six Indian warders. On his first appearance Orwell remarks that he is "a puny wisp of a man, with a shaven head and vague liquid eyes," and that the prisoner wore an absurd moustache. Orwell's initial description of the Hindu seems hardly human, ridiculous, not worth a care. The Hindu is handled "in a careful caressing grip," Orwell observes, although this care does not exceed the caution used in handling a struggling fish.
             Ironically, a "dreadful thing" occurs, a dog enters the scene innocent of what is about to happen, and begins to play with the prisoner causing dismay among everyone present. This simple display of affection by the dog, forces them to see the terrible reality of what their doing: ending a man's life. The animalistic treatment o...