unpersons

An unperson is a concept referring to an individual whose existence is deliberately erased from public record, memory, or both. This process typically involves the removal of their name from documents, photographs, and any other form of identification or historical record. The goal of making someone an unperson is to eliminate them from society's consciousness as if they never existed.

The concept is most famously associated with totalitarian regimes, particularly those of the 20th century, where it was used as a method of political repression. Individuals who opposed the regime, were deemed enemies of the state, or fell out of favor with the leadership could be subjected to this treatment. Their removal from records served to deny their past actions and their very being, making it difficult for others to remember them or acknowledge their contributions or existence.

In literature, the idea of unpersons was vividly depicted in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The Party in the novel systematically "vaporized" individuals, erasing them from all historical documents and ensuring that no one could recall their existence. This served to maintain the Party's absolute control over truth and history. The concept highlights the power of memory and historical record in shaping individual and collective identity and the devastating consequences of their manipulation.