Final answer:
The Party in the dystopian society aims to prevent any form of individual kindness, such as sharing a piece of bread in the Ministry of Love, to maintain a culture of fear and distrust which is essential for the Party's control over the population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is B:
The reason basic kindness, like sharing a piece of bread, is notallowed in the Ministry of Love is: b) The Party wants to maintain a culture of fear and distrust. In the dystopian society depicted, acts of individual kindness or charity are discouraged because they go against the core principles of the collective ideology. Such acts could foster bonds and unity among citizens that are contrary to the state's goals of control and power.
Explanation: The regime in such a society aims to maintain power by creating an environment where the outward expression of faith and loyalty is more important than genuine belief. Historically, as in the Soviet regime under Stalinism, propaganda and strict adherence to regime rituals were crucial for maintaining power. The constant presence of these rituals and propaganda made non-compliance or acts of kindness, such as sharing, not only an act of defiance but a threat to the social order the regime was trying to maintain. The party's narrative required complete subordination and mutual suspicion to prevent unity against the party. Instances of sharing, caring, and displays of mutual support would undermine the narrative of a malevolent authority bestowing 'gifts' on a grateful populace, hence obstructing the establishment of the narcissistic cult around the leader. With no room for alternative narratives of kindness and humanity, such acts were suppressed to reinforce a homogeneous society driven by fear and suspicion.
In societies shaped by collective principles, the individual is often subsumed by the collective. Outward conformance is valued over personal beliefs, ensuring strict adherence to the publicly acceptable expression of ideology. The suppression of kindness reinforces the regime's narrative of strength and unity under the Party, where individual sacrifices are demanded for the collective good.