Category: 1984

Introduction

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in US history as it laid the foundation for the existence of an independent union of states. This historical document is one of the primary sources of law in the United States, which guarantees the natural rights of Americans to life, liberty, and safety. The book 1984 by George Orwell, on the contrary, is a demonstration of a world in which freedom of the body, rights, and thoughts does not exist, and the slightest attempts to manifest it are controlled and suppressed by the state. However, if one carefully reads the text of the Declaration and realizes the books main ideas, a reader can note that these two works have several similar features. However, although the Declaration of Independence and 1984 both describe tyranny, the Declaration is a manifesto of liberation from it, while 1984 is a warning about the world of people not fighting for their rights.

Main body

1984 is one of Orwells most famous works, which has been debated for years because of its dystopian pictures that could come true. People often compare the events of the novel with modern times and often find similarities or symptoms of the society that the author described. For example, recent scandals about the national security services tracking peoples lives through their webcams resemble two-sided screens that controlled the lives of Oceanians. Packer also recalls the words of Trumps adviser Kellyanne Conway about alternative facts that remind the Ministry of Truths principles in the novel. In addition, Americans more often can hear statements about increasing state control over the media in an era when the flow of propaganda and fake news is exceptionally high (Kakutani). However, most of these concerns are controversial, while freedom of speech and action are among societys core values. The US government cannot arrest a person and re-educate him or her for dissent or criticism of power. Therefore, despite the fears of some pessimists, as long as citizens do not allow the state to infringe on their freedoms, Orwells dystopian world remains on the book pages.

Nevertheless, despite the controversial similarities between the current reality and Orwells world, one can note the features of the Declaration, which relate it to the ideas of the novel. One of the most striking passages is the explanation of reasons for peoples tolerance to tyrannical power. According to the Declaration of Independence, the traditional idea that the government cannot be changed due to light reasons makes humanity suffer and endure the evil to which it is accustomed, instead of overthrowing it (US 1776). The story of Oceania is a prime example of such human behavior. The main character, Winston, does not remember the true history of Big Brother and the Party coming to power. However, the reader can assume that people accepted and allowed its ruling, did not want to fight, and lost all their rights, and even the right to think.

Other lines from the Declaration are also suitable for the Oceania Society. The Declaration of Independence also says that when usurpation and abuse of government destroy people and the state, then people have the right and duty to oppose such a system (US 1776). In the appendix of 1984, the reader sees that Big Brother and the Party ceased to exist after all, and people regained their rights. This feature also links the Orwell novel and the Declaration by showing a similar development path for many states.

Another feature that relates the Declaration of Independence to 1984 is a demonstration of the tyranny of the ruler and the restriction of the citizens rights. The creators of the Declaration endure all the crimes of the British King to show the unfair attitude of the Empire to the inhabitants of America and to justify the reasons for their separation (US 1776). Orwells novel is also filled with crimes of the government and Big Brother against the people, but the successful fight against dissent is a significant obstacle for people who want to claim their rights. The state is trying to create a society that does not know that it has rights, and Winston demonstrates that it still succeeds (Orwell). Consequentially, although the implementation of the idea is the same, the reasons are different.

A particularly interesting part that coincides with the Declaration and 1984 is the description of the governments tyranny. One passage in the Declaration of Independence states that the King impedes the settlement of America by prohibiting the naturalization of foreigners (US 1776). At the same time, Oceania confronts its neighbors and does not allow foreigners into the country (Orwell 146). The creators of the Declaration also talk about the usurpation of power by the King, his influence on the judicial system, decisions of governors and laws, while Big Brother also personifies all power in the state (US 1776; Orwell). The same situation exists with the system of trade and taxes, which was wholly owned by the King and impaired colonial states development (Declaration of Independence). Like Kings policies, Orwells Oceania has the Ministry of Plenty, which plans economic shortages (52). Thus, the tyranny and totalitarianism of the ruler is a central component, both in the Declaration of Independence and in the novel 1984. However, the first document uses a description of the governments tyranny to proclaim the rights of the USA citizens, and the book demonstrates the consequences of reconciliation with it.

Another feature is that in the appendix of the novel, the protagonist also mentions the Declaration of Independence, which even stronger links this document and the book. An excerpt from the Declaration about the Equality, Happiness, and Liberty of people that was reduced to a single word crime-think is a vivid demonstration of Newspeak, which was designed to limit peoples thinking by depriving them of words (A Study Guide 13). This point is also indicative of comparing the Declaration of Independence, and the novel as it illustrates what a country and a society do not fight for its rights can be. This contrast demonstrates different reasons for describing the tyranny of government in 1984 and the Declaration.

However, apart from explaining the reasons for separating and declaring the US independence, the Declaration has statements that protect the USA citizens from the world described by Orwell. The Declaration proclaims that the primary purpose of forming a new independent state is to ensure certain unalienable rights for life, liberty, happiness, and safety (US 1776). The founding fathers and representatives of thirteen states pursued the goal of separation from Britain, which oppressed their freedoms and limited development opportunities to create a new free nation. The same principles underlie the US Constitution and the Bill on Human Rights, which determine the states policy towards its population. In addition, condemnation of power usurpation and explanation of the need for peoples participation in the fate of the country is also decisive for the further development of politics. These principles created a political system with a separation of powers between the three branches of government and a balance between them.

At the same time, in contrast to the text of the Declaration, Oceanias rules and laws appear in Orwells novel. The state says that peoples rights to freedom, equality, and safety are a crime-think because it undermines the authority of the government (Orwell 391). Happiness, pleasure, and love are also a crime since citizens should love only Big Brother. People cannot enjoy delicious food, such as chocolate, sex, and close relationships with their families, and even their bad habits are determined by the state. Emotions, especially positive, towards others, are harmful to Big Brother as they give rise to dissent. While the basic principles of the Declaration are to ensure happiness and security, Oceanias slogans are: War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. (Orwell 6). Power is also concentrated in the hands of the party, and no one can oppose it openly.

Consequently, the principles of the Declaration that underlie American politics are contrary to the laws of Oceania, which protect it from tyranny and totalitarianism. The separation of powers, the rule of law, and the people empowering to choose their representatives is a guarantee that a dictator will not govern the United States because Parliament opposes him or her. The proclamation of a policy that promotes happiness and safety means the ability of people to express their thoughts, desires, and needs, and do not be afraid of room 101 in which they will be re-educated by torture (Orwell 357-362). The only situation in which this world can become real is if the people accept such a government and do not rebel against injustice and cruelty. However, as long as people realize the importance of freedom to think and express their individuality, and until they continue to struggle, the legal and moral law is on their side.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of Orwells novel is a dark story of what could happen to a state in which natural rights are not respected, and the Declaration of Independence demonstrates liberation from such conditions. The Declaration and 1984 are similar and opposite at the same time since the tyranny of the King described in the document partially coincides with the totalitarianism of Big Brother. The world described by Orwell is more intimidating and more controlled, but the United States and the American citizens could have lived like this if people had not fought for their rights. The opposite of the Declaration is expressed in the fact that it protects the natural rights of the American population and guarantees that the government of the country serves its people for their benefit. Oceania might also have come to such a decision after Big Brother and the Party ceased to exist. Consequently, the Declaration and 1984 are the opposite ends of the continuum of democracy, where the United States is the embodiment of freedom, and Oceania is a model of totalitarianism.

Works Cited

A Study Guide for George Orwells 1984. Gale, Cengage Learning, 2015.

Kakutani, Michiko. Why 1984 Is a 2017 Must-Read. The New York Times, Web.

Orwell, George. 1984. Planet eBook.com, n.d. Web.

Packer, George. The Unheeded Message of 1984. The Atlantic, 2019, Web.

Utopianism

In his 1984 writing, Orwell (p.10) indicates how the societies fight to archive utopianism. There are high hopes that the current settings of the twenty-first century and the predictable future of governance will be sustainable and responsible especially on issues of cultural identity and preservation.

As predicted in 1984 by Orwell (p.10), the current major threat to humanity is lack of enough support for local uniqueness and distinctiveness. People have not yet embraced the need for cultural enrichment in their day-today lifestyles. According to him (p.2), the future holds possibilities for more personal, meaningful and understandable relationship or the need to understand the social cultural settings in a better way. Utopia destiny is a collection of ideas for a sustainable future.

Lifestyles

Orwell (p.12), sparks ideas that are more creative and that inspire ambitions for better lifestyles and techniques of governance. Human lifestyle will need less governance by rules and more enhancement of behaviour, unlike the past when people did not exhibit thoughts. This is well depicted from the character of Watson who was an official, whose role was diminished by the totalitarian rule at airstrip one. The situation at England forces Watson to confine personal thoughts to private writings, away from the telescreen (Orwell, p.3).

Governance

Most of current work-tools such as the television, surveillance webcams, cell phones and listening appliances relate to the telescreen due to easy manipulation and ability to preach propaganda. These unnecessary political wrangles make officials to behave in a definite and similar manner of thoughts and actions. The type of governance in his writing tries to limit information from publicity, just like the current government. The public in certainly not sure of the way government officials utilize fund allocations.

The government often conceal the required transparency, and citizens never know what the head of state does every day due to limited form of communication. There is however some improvements due to the media freedom thus the reason why we are able to know majority of the details that can affect governance such a good example was the Lewinsky-Clinton incident in the white house.

Recording of thought by state officials such as Watson was a critical crime according to 1984 by Orwell (p.2). Comparatively, the officials fail to reveal information, because they are in accord with reasons and service to the Big Brother who in this case is the government Orwell (p.19). The twenty first century government want similar situations where those involved stand in accord with one objective.

Revealing of career-disparaging information is also questionable in majority of the current government systems. There is a close connection between the behaviours of 1984 governance and the current one, since people have to follow defined procedures. They are possibly not as harsh as those of the twenty-first century are but when we break laws, the consequences for our actions are still unsympathetic.

Social Impact

The restrictions as shown in the 1984 by Orwell (p.37), indicates that people were restricted to speaking in the workforce since this would be social interactions. Social interaction is also a prohibited practice in majority of the workforce today. The workplace is not a social situate but a work setting. We can consider the way of life from Orwell writing as despicably over-harshness, but it is very similar to how we act today. Order and efficiency requirement for are common to all social settings.

One of the key reasons why earlier and current governance styles find it necessary to engage doublespeak, is because it is a natural way of realizing slavery into the systems and where total surveillance in put into practice.

Doublespeak in Our Current Social Setting

As Orwell (p.4), puts it, the character Watson works for the government as a propaganda asset whose task is to alter information in support of government actions or claims and still believe in the truth of those claims. Today people still respond instinctively with a similar concept or logic of doublespeak.

Doublespeak is not a confine in the text of Orwell, but is an evident part of our society as well. Good examples include our government fight for peace. U.S. government engagement in war with Iraq on March 19^th 2003, due to the assertion by the Bush Administration that Iraq was in violation of some U.N. Security Councils Resolutions among them being in possession of weapons of mass destruction seem ridiculous (Bush, p.1) .

It is not possible to fight in order to enhance peace. Fighting stands in the way of peace and therefore current peacekeeping forces resembles the classical use of doublespeak where Orwell (p.4), bring in the name of ministry of peace in the writing. Arguably, today and future prospective consists of doublespeak in action rather than verbalize. Is our government really concern with the welfare of citizens through defence and need for peace, or is hiding the concept of invasion and attack in their undertakings?

Position of Citizens

Orwell (p.5) presents the patriot act in his writing where citizens are required to forsake freedom, which the government alleges to protect and freedom. The concept is outrageous and lacks meaning. Relinquishing basic human rights to gain freedom is doublespeak. The Orwells indication (p.4), that War is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength is total doublespeak.

Religion

Almost every religion preaches peace and prohibits violence. If our religious practices were for the love of neighbourliness, then it is doublespeak to consider a holy conflict.

Works Cited

Bush, George. Remarks on Iraq. National Assembly, 2003. Web.

Orwell, George. 1984. New York, NY: Signet Classic Publishers. 1977. Web.

Introduction

In any society, forces of change deploy incredible efforts to do what is right amid the criticisms and resistance to the change emanating from the preservative forces of governance. Critics of immoral acts such as corruptions in societies are normally lonely. They feel neglected by the people who engage in mal-practices.

Doing the right thing makes the society collectively stronger. Enemy of the People and Nineteen Eighty Four strategically develop this idea. For instance, towards the epilogue of the play An Enemy of the People, Dr. Tom Stockman maintains, We are all alone&And therell be a long night before its day&But remember now, everybody.

You are fighting for the truth, and that is why you are alone&And that makes you strong&Were the strongest people in the world &and the strong must learn to be lonely (Ibsen, 1999, p.78). In this statement, Dr. Tom Stockman makes it clear that, even though advocating for truth or morals is a long hassle, finally the truth would set the society free.

The paper uses this assertion together with Dr. Tom Stockmans closing remarks as the analytical principles. Specifically, it compares and contrasts An Enemy of the People and Nineteen Eighty-Four focusing on how they develop the notion brought by Stockman that those fighting for a change in the society must arm themselves with strength as they face the inevitable resistance from those against the change.

Enemy of the People

Dr. Tom Stockman comes up with an incredible idea that he truly believes will alter the town in which the context of the play is based. He fights for bath changes despite the enormous challenge he faces since the whole town is against him: he is alone in the fight.

Following this resistance, his scientific experiments are widely perceived as wastage of time. In fact, this qualifies the quote by Dr. Tom Stockman when he says, Remember that you are fighting for the truth, and that is why you are alone (Ibsen, 1999, p.39) following the opposition he faces from all facets.

However, he stands for the truth, which cannot be upheld by the majority of the people. He is left alone in the struggle. Dr. Tom Stockman is precisely sure that failure to embrace his ideas would truncate into making the town people experience sufferings (Ibsen, 1999, p.39).

On his part, he feels that his self-respect and the freedom he possesses to express himself are negatively impaired. In this context, Dr. Tom Stockman develops the idea that introducing change is critically difficult since the person bringing about the change has to experience instances in which he or she feels lonely since many people are opposed to his ideas of change.

This affirms Dr. Tom Stockman quote that, You are fighting for the truth&you have to be strong (Ibsen, 1999, p.78). Therefore, the people could not have just embraced his idea of change since it was the truth, which has to face resistance from the society. However, he garners strength to continue advocating for social integrity through his revelation of the harms that corruption among the town people has on the economic wellbeing of the society.

In his quote, Dr. Stock man said that those who fight for the truth must be strong since the truth makes them strong. It is therefore more of a duty than a trial to stand by the truth. The revelation, as encouraged by Stockman, persuades every person whose fight for a positive change in the society faces discouragement from others. Ibsen develops the theme of social change and the ways of inculcating it in the minds of the town people by presenting democracy in two folds.

In the first place, democracy is presented as tyranny of the majority. Arguably, the force of the majority is essentially a tyrant insofar. In this context, the author sheds light that leaders of people shun from doing what is right and morally acceptable since they must make the people they lead happy (Ibsen, 1999, p.45). Consequently, people aiming to bring change by putting in place mechanisms of making people to do what is right face incredible loneliness because people will hardly accept them.

This argument is in line with what Stockman was advocating for when he encouraged such people to be strong in their efforts to nurture the truth. These people must therefore be prepared to be lonely for the sake of the truth. Hovard evidences a good example of the barrier of doing the right things due to influences and the need to fulfill the desires of the people even if they are wrong.

He does not print a doctors report and baths report in the fear of upsetting subscribers. On the other hand, Mayor is not willing to make proposals for altering baths in the fear that people may notice some mistakes made in the original plan (Ibsen, 1999, p.49). Majority of the people have an immense fear to take up risks, which according to the doctor, is not intelligent enough to do what is right (Ibsen, 1999, p.52).

As evidenced by the words of Dr. Tom Stockman in the quote that those that are willing to fight for change must be able to sacrifice their plight besides being strong and lonely. He says that those who are fearful cannot wage a good fight against the atrocities of the world. Fear of loneliness conforms to the status quo of a character regardless of whether it is right or wrong.

Additionally, Ibsen gives the picture of the manner in which leaders are capable of manipulating masses to fulfill their self-centered interests. For instance, the Mayor and Asaksen control all the meetings. They manage to convince the masses to support the comments of the doctor pertaining to masses stupidity (Ibsen, 1999, p.63). Arguably, instead of doing what is right and or allowing the majority to rule directly, threats and ideas of the majority prevent leaders from thinking and acting honestly.

What such leaders fear is being alone. A leader who can bring change to the society must be able to stand for the truth regardless of whether the majority approves it or not. They must be strong even when they are alone in the fight. In the play, a call is made for leaders to consider embracing what is right besides acting in an ideal way so that the truth, and what is right could make the society stronger rather than disintegrating it.

Nineteen Eighty Four

Written by George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty Four can be described as dystopian novel describing the state of the modern society. Unlike the society described in Enemy of the People whose leaders only do what pleases the masses, unfair minded persons living in a totalitarian state characterize the society described in the Nineteen Eighty Four.

Although the author does not directly propose the right ways for proper leading of a society, it is evident that he criticizes the society in which his novel is based when he presents it as being empty, over-politicized, and highly drab (Orwell, 2003, p.21). The entire novel revolves around the story of Winton Smith who works with the ministry of truth.

Through this character, Orwell is able to criticize the authoritarian society besides setting paradigms for determining what is right and what is wrong in leadership. The party to which Smith belongs controls everything in the state. Smith alters the states historical record to make sure that the name of the big brother and that of the government are portrayed in a manner that is pleasing (Orwell, 2003, p.59).

In fact, the main concern of Smith is how the status quo would be maintained. This contravenes the need for leadership as an instrument of change. Dr Stockman says that the leaders should not fear being compromised by the majority. Anyone who wants to embrace change should be ready to suffer loneliness for the sake of the truth.

This argument is depicted in the quote, We are all alone&Were the strongest people in the world &and the strong must learn to be lonely (Ibsen, 1999, p.78). To do this, he is suspicious of persons who are faithful to the ruling party that they might be members of opposition parties. For instance, Winton suspects that OBrien could be a member of fellowship, a party he thinks would act to violate the egocentric quest for his party to remain in power (Orwell, 2003, p.65).

Arguably, Winton and his party are presented as forces, which are resistant to change aimed at depriving everybody of the freedom of choice including the freedom to choose ones political stands. To Winton, being a member of goodwill while serving in the government is a big threat to the political party, as well as the government he diligently serves. This means that he is reluctant to embrace other peoples opinions to evaluate whether they are significant in influencing and bettering the livelihoods of the masses.

In fact, this argument concurs with the words in the quote by Dr. Tom Stockman that the courageous and positive result-oriented must be alone (Ibsen, 1999, p.78). Similar to the Enemy of the People, in the Nineteen Eighty Four, people who are determined to bring about change in the manner of governance of the societies would face an immense challenge in the process of attempting to alter the perception of people like Winton who are ideally egocentric.

While advocating for a society of equality, it is significant to note that the process would assume many risks and social struggles. According to the revelation by Dr. Tom Stockman, every change must take time before the people accept and or embrace it thus concurring with Stockmans words, &and there will be a long night before its day (Ibsen, 1999, p.78).

Those who are ready to champion change must be patient. However, it is only persons who are committed to change besides being willing to take up the risk would make the society described in Nineteen Eighty Four better by making it embrace diverse opinions of different stakeholders as tools and channels of creating a more equitable society. They must accept loneness.

The leadership depicted in the Nineteen Eighty Four does not welcome criticisms. This claim is why OBrien, although a faithful member of goodwill, disguises himself as a true follower of the ruling party in an attempt to spy the government. Any criticism is treated as an attempt to disobey the government, something that prompts punishment.

Indeed, when Winston is arrested at the bookshop by secret police, he is taken to the ministry of love to re-indoctrinate him through torture (Orwell, 2003, p.32). While this is an acceptable, such an act violates human rights. In fact, Stockman referred to this suffering when he raised the issue of a long night to symbolize the pain, suffering, and the confusion that characterizes the barrier between truth and deception. Such inflictions of pain are used to mask the truth from the sight of the majority.

They therefore accept things at the face value. Unfortunately, it is not critiqued by anybody since people must comply with the states demands. The law enforcing agents continued even to intimidate him through infliction of fear. In particular, Winton was taken to room 101, a place where ones worst fears are used against him (Orwell, 2003, p.37). This prompted Winton to change immensely.

He was not strong enough to fight for the truth. He was no one of the strongest people that fights for the truth. He did not wait for the day. The long hours of the night overcame him thus concurring with Stockmans words. Precisely, towards the end of the novel, he is a valid member of the society (Orwell, 2003, p.89).

This implies that he does not oppose or resist the oppression exercised by the government on the citizens. In this extent, it is apparent that Orwell manages to portray what is right and not right within a society through the long struggles of Winton to align his thoughts with the anticipations of the totalitarian government that he serves. However, by doing this, Winton commits a big mistake since subscribing to the prescribed codes of conduct, which are oppressive, amounts to the violation of rights of the masses.

Summary

Although the settings of Enemy of the People and Nineteen Eighty Four are different, the authors of these literary works have one noble concern: to address the right way in which the society needs to operate so that all people get an opportunity to exercise their rights without coercion.

In Nineteen Eighty Four and Enemy of the People, the existing forms of leadership and administration do not permit people to make their own decisions. Oppression and instilling of a compliance culture are the order of the day. For the sake of bringing about change in such societies, it is crucial for advocates of change to step in to challenge such regimes. However, the desire of people in the governance, whether in a state or hospital, is to maintain the status quo.

Therefore, advocates of change would essentially face immense opposition hence making them lonely. However, after this struggle, change is acquired. Consequently, people would contemplate and adopt new paradigms for fighting for their rights. In the end, the hard times faced by the advocates of change would be fruitful. Hence, the realization of their dream would end up making them stronger amid the loneliness in the fighting process.

Reference List

Ibsen, H. (1999). Enemy of the People. New York, NY: Dover Publications.

Orwell, G. (2003). Nineteen Eighty Four. New York, NY: Plume.

1984 is a novel about totalitarianism and the life of a man who tried to escape from an oppressive political regime. The famous British writer George Orwell wrote his book in 1948. Events take place in London, a provinces capital of the state of Oceania in 1984. The world is involved in an endless war, and the political regime called Ingsoc and headed by a mystical Big Brother permanently looks for ways to control the citizens minds and private lives. The key figure of the book is Winston Smith, an editor in the Ministry of Truth responsible for propaganda. Winston does not approve imposed norms and rules and hates the authorities, the main aim of which is to punish people who think differently from the official propaganda. Consequently, Winston is arrested, and, under torture, he betrays everything he loved and believed in. This book shows complicated relationships between the main characters and displays several crucial issues, such as propaganda, totalitarianism, and loss of independence.

Summary of the Book

After the end of the Second World War, a civil war began in the United Kingdom. The crisis led to its occupation by a new superpower  Oceania. Many changes have occurred on the political map worldwide. However, some citizens disagree with the existing regime. One is the protagonist, Winston Smith, who works as an editor in the Ministry of Truth. At the same time, he fully understands that he cannot share his opinion with anyone. Orwell (2018) tells readers that thus he buys an illegal diary in which he pens down his thoughts (p. 3), which is as dangerous as public disapproval of the ruling political regime. Smith gets acquainted with Julia, and, at first, he thinks that she is following him and wants to reveal his crime. However, after a while, the woman confesses her love for Winston, and they begin to meet secretly. Smith knows that this love story will not end happily as Illegal relations between men and women are strictly forbidden in Oceania.

Smith and Julia turn to an official OBrien to accept them into Brotherhood as they consider him to be one of the members of this opposition movement. However, later, lovers get arrested, and Winston realizes that he was mistaken in OBrien. Winston is subjected to mental and physical torments, and he is forced to renounce himself and all his beliefs, namely, his love for Julia. Eventually, Smith understands that all this time he was wrong, that now he believes only in the Big Brother and the Party and is loyal to them. This ending demonstrates how the system and totalitarian state can break a person and completely control his or her mind.

Main Characters

Winston Smith

He is the main character of the novel, and the author shows readers the whole story through his eyes. Smith is a rational and innermost man with his principles and beliefs. In the beginning, though he hates the authorities, he works at the Ministry of Truth. His primary responsibility is to distort information in the media, according to the demands of Big Brother. Winston starts writing a diary, filling it with his thoughts and memories, but by doing that, he is committing a crime. Illegal relationships between Smith and Julia eventually lead to his imprisonment and irreversible changes in his values and views.

Julia

Like Winston, Julia is against the Party and Big Brother. Nevertheless, she differs from him by her pragmatism and cares mostly about the present. She does not think about global problems and tries to harm the Party by committing small crimes. Julia is an active member of the Ministry of Truth. Another difference from Winston is that her rebellion is more intuitive and direct.

OBrien

This character is a mysterious person as he has super-intelligence and can guess words and sentences before they are said. OBrien can be regarded as the symbol of dictatorship and totalitarianism and the loyal regimes servant. He ingratiates himself with Winston, but later, he betrays and arrests him and Julia. After that, OBrien sends them to jail where inflicts tortures against Smith and destroys his personality.

Big Brother

It is an image of an omnipresent dictator and one of the founders of the Party. However, nobody has seen him, and all the information about this person is hidden (Gilbert & Pitfield, 2019, p. 96). Citizens of Oceania worship him and satisfy all his demands, though they see him only on posters and telescreen, but everyone is sure that Big Brother Is Watching You (Sahoo, 2019, p. 447). In fact, Big Brother insists that people love him more than anyone else, even their families.

Themes of the Book

Totalitarianism

One of the major issues of 1984 is totalitarianism, which presents the type of government where even the head of state is concealed from people. The Party and Big Brother establish total control over peoples relationships, feelings, and even thoughts. The typical patterns of such regime are the overall monitoring and surveillance of citizens through media and specialized institutions as well as spreading mottos, such as War is Peace and Freedom is Slavery.

Propaganda

Propaganda is a weapon of the totalitarian political regime, the officials of which use it to impose appropriate values and views on Oceanias citizens through the Ministry of Truth. The main character, Winston Smith, is also engaged in this activity, as his job responsibilities are to oust historical facts by distorted information. The propaganda also invents new concepts, such as Two Minutes Hate, Big Brother is watching, and other mottos.

Loss of Identity and Independence

Totalitarian regimes often adopt strategies that make people lose their identities and independence. In 1984, the imposed conformism and uniformity in food, clothes, and thoughts demonstrated that the Party and its head, Big Brother, are aimed at suppressing citizens and limiting their freedom. The ruling regime uses all legal and illegal means, such as propaganda, suppression, and tortures, to achieve its goals and subject people to its will.

Personal Opinion

Even though George Orwell wrote 1984 more than 70 years ago, it remains incredibly relevant in the 21^st century. That is why it impresses readers and makes people think about some crucial issues. Orwell foresaw a society in which the authorities would broadcast propaganda to distract citizens from urgent challenges. Nowadays, people seldom notice the existence of total control. Governments and corporations use the Internet and television to limit personal freedom and impose pressing values. Orwells 1984 is an earnest and thought-provoking dystopian novel.

References

Gilbert, F. & Pitfield, M. (2019). Teaching 1984 in the surveillance culture of schools. English Teaching: Practice & Critique, 18(1), 8599.

Orwell, G. (2018). 1984. Pittsburgh, PA: General Press.

Sahoo, B. (2019). George Orwell and his relevance to the twenty-first century. Language in India, 19(2), 440455.

The world created by Orwell consists of three political powers competing: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. Because of the permanent clashes, society is deprived of good products, subject to surveillance. Poverty is widespread, a general decline of strength among people deprived of individuality and incapable of personal freedom. As a result, Orwells utopian world consists of a monotonous mass of people who have found their protection in uniformity. There is no objective truth in the collective consciousness, and the ruling party promotes slogans denigrating freedom.

Society (very small, only 300 million in Oceania) is disenfranchised, and a rigid social hierarchy restricts it. Among the psychological aspects of the world are bans on love and relationships (thoughtcrime), pressure on children, training in speculation, and manipulation. The higher party imposes doublethink- the ability to believe in two mutually exclusive things, with the consequence being that the world lacks personal opinion, honesty, and faith in people.

Winston Smith is the protagonist, a middle-aged man who works in the documentation department and compiles facts with dissenting utterances. Despite work in the Ministry of Truth, he deeply hates party ideas, only pretending to adhere to them. Winston appears to be a strong personality, a man of will who has found his individuality and begins to doubt the party. After arrest, he endures torture with fortitude and lets Party eventually break him down and turn him into an obedient member of society. After realizing the situation he dreams of trial and execution, lest he becomes part of what he has fought. At the center of his motivation is his belief in a better world, in individual and social freedom. He swears to OBrien that he is willing to sacrifice everything to overthrow the party. The reader can see in him that no matter how intense the ideologically wrong idea is, there will always be people who can oppose it.

Julia is an actively anti-dissenting, anti-love young girl who hides her genuine party hatred. She pretends to obey the laws, but in reality, is in permanent violation of them. Julia is a beauty who turns fussy and active around her. She can be typologies as an extrovert with a pronounced attitude and a belief in the power of personality. However, her passion for acquiring authentic goods hints at the frivolity and an inner weakness about solid pressures. Her motivation to act against the party is probably love and the desire to love. Julias youth is in bloom, and burdens unencumber her heart, so she is eager to conquer the heights.

OBrien appears as a gruff man, not without charm, and to those around him, his role is ambiguous. He works for the Thought Police and secretly exposes those fighting against the party. His character is a strong individual who will not transgress the ideals of his party and is fully committed to him. He can be described as a clever and cunning man, capable of villainy without thinking about its rightness. OBrien is motivated by the partys ideas: during torture, he explains to Smith that the government controls reality. The partys philosophy is close to him, so service is his goal, although he understands the horror of its work.

Oceania is one of the states formed due to the anti-capitalist revolution and ignoring the emancipation of the proletariat.

Airstrip One is a province of Oceania whose name mock Britains desire to take over the United States.

• Ingsoc  the prevailing ideology of Oceania, which instead of socialism builds a society that defies all its principles.
• Big Brother  the sole leader of the Party, around whom a cult of personality is erected.
• Propaganda  actions of the Party to subjugate its principles and exterminate dissenters
• Ministry of Truth  a government unit whose main job is to falsify data and rewrite history.
• The Thought Police  an organization whose purpose is to find dissenters and exterminate them by the law.
• Thoughtcrime  any careless thought, any wild gesture, or word wrong in terms of the ruling Partys ideology.

The Human Experience. What is it? The way in which I interpret the experience of life is that we all have our own individual experience. We can look at texts, films or listen to music and relate our experience to the composers of these works, but in the end, it is how we interpret our own experience and our own emotions that define us as human. In exploring the Human Experience, I hereby present this speech transcript and a corresponding visual presentation in which the speech supports. This term we were to read George Orwell’s 1984 text. Consequently, I chose my related material as Fahrenheit 451, composed by Ray Bradbury. 1984 is a murky dystopian story, set in the totalitarian ruled country of Oceania. It reveals a demeaning and soggy society overruled by a controlling and selfish Party. It would be from this that the themes of Power and Control, the search for Independence and Identity and Technology will be explored. Similarly, Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, is also a dystopian story ruled by powerful and controlling people however rather than the book being written through the eyes of the constituents in society, it is written through the eyes of one of the rulers presenting a different view. Also, like 1984, the themes of Power and Control, Technology and the Search for Identity through rebellious actions will be explored.

Looking at the first page of the visual presentation, a cross is visible. This cross represents the rebelling mind of Guy Montag in Fahrenheit 451. As well known in the society depicted in Fahrenheit 451, books are illegal, and the fire department are used to set the books alight and burn them rather than actually put fires out. It is when Guy is at an old ladies house about to set her books alight he discovers the bible. He picks up the bible and hides it away in his jacket hurriedly so that no one would see what happened. This is rather ironic as the person who is known for and does, set books alight just stole and kept one so that it wouldn’t get burnt. In the society of Fahrenheit 451 Rebellion is necessary if the truth of society is to be fully understood. Education is minimal, so if a person feels driven to discover new information, they must question the law and actively pursue it. In Fahrenheit 451, the apparent rebel is Montag. He was inspired by Clarisse to seek the truth by asking him important questions that no person in society typically feels he should answer. The distinction between Montag and Clarisse is that she did not go against the justice system to find her answers even though she challenged society. Montag did. ‘You’re not like the others. I’ve seen a few; I know. When I talk, you look at me. When I said something about the moon, you looked at the moon, last night. The others would never do that.’ The use of anaphora in this line highlights the differences that Guy possesses when compared to the rest of society by Clarisse. He stole a book from a building, and he resisted arrest, killed the fire chief, and fled the city when he was captured. He joined a whole group of rebels too. They were part of a group throughout the world that had memorised entire books or significant transcripts individually. They are eventually going to rewrite books together that represented important times in history. In Fahrenheit 451, the optimism and resolution that arises revolves around the rebellious actions required. When no dystopian society individual wanted to revolt against values and rules, the story would be utterly hopeless and lost. The typical insurgent brings to a society only confusion and trouble. However, the rebels are the society’s heroes in Fahrenheit 451. Coinciding with the rebelling nature of Guy Montag in Fahrenheit 451, Winston Smith a protagonist in 1984, is also rebelling against the law or in this case the Party. In the depicted society of 1984, it is set so that everyone is conformed. There is to be no individuality and whatever the party says needs to happen, happens. This is followed by everyone, except for Winston however. He disagrees with the party and their totalitarian views and actions. We as readers, become aware of this early on in the story when Winston buys a diary to write down his thoughts. “He had given a quick glance up and down the street and then had slipped inside and bought the book for two dollars fifty. At the time he was not conscious of wanting it for any particular purpose. He had carried it guiltily home in his briefcase. Even with nothing written in it, it was a compromising possession.” This is of course not warranted by the Party. Winston begins to write down his thoughts and views out of view of the telescreen meaning no one is aware of the current happenings. The theme being explored here is that of the search for individuality. Winston truly wants to bring down the government such that no one is conformed. He disagrees with the party and so he rebels against them and their rules so that he is ‘free’. In our own world, we rebel against the law and our rules. By the government’s standard, it may not be right but that is what makes up our human experience; individuality like no other.

The Party depicted in 1984 is that of a totalitarian one. It strives for power and control over all of the constituents it rules over. The reliability of memory is central to a utopian society; however, the unreliability of memory is central to a dystopian society, such as 1984, and is critical to the survival of Big Brother. In order to restrain and restrict the memory of the constituents, the party orders people to destroy all records of their lives as well as photographs and documents through a “memory hole”. As Orwell says, “Actually he was not used to writing by hand. Apart from very shorts notes, it was usual to dictate everything into a speakwrite which was, of course, impossible for his present purpose.” In this, Orwell explores the unreliability of memory using Winston’s memory and the past as the catalyst for the control and destruction by destroying documentation and records of the past as well as the present. The party seeks to control everything; the past, present and the future. Without memory, the constituents of 1984 cannot know the past. “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” The paradox in this line is an important example of the Party’s technique of using false history to break down the psychological independence of its constituents. Since there is no memory, the party can control history. Hence, people are willing to accept and believe anything the party says which is critical to the survival of Big Brother. Without documents and records of the past, the party is able to manipulate and transform the minds of the constituents in the depicted 1984 society into believing anything. This coincides with a quote about “2+2=4 but if the party said 2+2=5 it would then be believed that it does equal 5.” The theme being explored within this paragraph is that of control and power which is used to make memory unreliable. Memory itself is reliable, yet, what is being explored is, what if memory is taken away? Then how reliable is it? In our own world, we are told what is right and what is wrong. We consequently believe also that 2+2=4 because we are told so. We believe that a piece of plastic holds value because we are told it does, yet, we still have memory. We still have documents and records of the past. So yes, whilst memory was removed in 1984 and whatever the constituents are told they believe, to some degree so do we. It is then that through this, it is hence related to the human experience because even though we have memory, even in our right minds, it is not necessarily reliable. Both page 3 and page 4 are represented in this paragraph, with reference to the memory hole on page 3 and the chopped-up brain representing control and the manipulation of the brains of the constituents. Also, the image of 2+2=5 and the puppet with the words “Total Control” is well represented within this paragraph.

The use of technology coincides with the pursuit of Power and Control by the Party. Technology is used by the party to control and also manipulate the minds of the constituents of 1984. Pictured on page 5 in the visual presentation, is a big tv screen with a rather blanked faced person on the screen, peering through as if he is watching, and also a person sitting in the corner doing something which appears to be writing in a book. In fact, he is. That person sitting in the corner is Winston Smith, the guy mentioned earlier in his journey to rebel against the party by writing in his diary. This picture encapsulates Winston writing in that aforementioned diary out of view of the ‘Telescreen’. This Telescreen is used by the Party, or more specifically, Big Brother to watch over everyone and make sure they are staying in line with the rules surrounding society. Correspondingly, in Fahrenheit 451, technology is also used by the government to monitor and control the constituents in this society by way of electronic hounds which ponder and wander around the city on the trail of illegal books. A picture of the imagined hounds is pictured on page 5 as well. It appears to be that of an aggressive looking, high-tech robotic animal; something you imagine when thinking of dystopia. If a hound detects books that someone may be hiding it is ordered that their house and books are burnt. This relates to society today. Not in the sense that houses are burnt because there were books inside but rather to do with the police. If you are found to be in possession of an illegal item, often your house is raided, and you are arrested. This teaches us a valuable lesson. You are set rules to be followed, not to be pushed aside. If you do the wrong thing by the law, you may be punished for that. It is due to this that the representation of the law in today’s world that it relates to the Human Experience.

In our own world today, we as humans are granted access to all kinds of information from all over the world. Through the use of the internet, books or any other source, it is possible to find answers to any question that may come to mind at any time. While this is all good and well and we all take this for granted, think, what if this was taken away? How would we search for the nearest restaurant at 3 in the morning? Or look up how to make a particular food dish on YouTube? All this leads up to the theme of censorship. Many writers have been using this theme in their texts for long periods of time, like so, Author Ray Bradbury does so also in Fahrenheit 451. Seen on page 6 and 7 of the visual representation are all symbolic images of censoring material explored. Page 6 shows a burnt picture of the book ‘Fahrenheit 451’. This is to represent the burning that the whole book revolves around. Supporting that, are the matches and the number 451 written in charcoal that also supports the burning and the way in which things were censored. This was further explored on page 7 with an image in which a face is covered so that everything is censored as well as a flame symbolising how things were censored in Fahrenheit 451, which was by burning them. Censoring information was a way of controlling how people thought and went on through life. In Fahrenheit 451, books were burnt by firefighters as a way of censoring the information being taken in by the constituents. Guy Montag, the main character, is a fireman whose job is to destroy people’s libraries that have acquired such banned books. Montag refers to the list of millions of banned books hanging in the firehouse where he works, implying that there are few, if any, books allowed. Throughout the novel, there are also several scenes where the reader sees Montag or the other firemen setting fire in people’s houses to piles of books. These books have been censored, and the knowledge contained in them, and are burned to prevent anyone else from reading them. Books would burn at a specific temperature; 451 degrees hence the name Fahrenheit 451. Furthermore, exploring the theme of censorship, Orwell’s 1984 also explored the theme of censorship. In 1984, censorship was present in every aspect of the overruled society. The government started with changing the language of the constituents. With their plan to conform society and turn them into puppets, the Party came up with a language that suits Ingsoc perfectly. All words which represent and mention memories of the past world order will no longer be known. Eventually, there won’t be words to name emotions. This is so that the party has control of how people interact which doesn’t affect the totalitarian government. Furthermore, the Party also has a way to control and censor people’s thoughts. If the Party suspects that a constituent is thinking illegally, it is considered thought crime and is very punishable. From this, the party is able to manipulate and control the constituents into censored thinking from scaring them.

From exploring these two texts and interpreting the Human Experience and relating it to today’s society, it is only fair to say that, I can only interpret my own meaning of the Human Experience and so I can only walk in my shoes but competently look at everyone else’s footsteps.

Texts such as 1984 by George Orwell and the film The Brave New World (TBNW) directed by Larry Williams clearly illuminate how an intoxication of power leads to the loss of freedom, individualism and relationships, all which are vital aspects of the individual and collective human experience. The human necessity for freedom is eradicated in both texts through the oppressive use of power. This is achieved in ‘1984’ through the constant use of surveillance on citizens. In contrast a drug called soma is used in ‘TBNW’ to trap the citizens in a constant state of artificial happiness. Ultimately leading to the citizens in both texts being deprived of expressing their emotions and generating independent thoughts. Individualism is eradicated in both texts by creating a uniform society. This is maintained in ‘1984’ by forming a collective identity where everyone dresses and thinks the same, ultimately leading to the loss in the inherent value of humans. In contrast, individuality is abolished in ‘TBNW’ by categorizing society into five castes: Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons. Both texts explore how traditional relationships are lost since they don’t provide the emotional connection that is essential to the human experience. This leads to the relationships in ‘1984’ being built on fear. On the other hand, relationships in ‘TBNW’ are built on artificial love, denying individuals the right to nurturing long-lasting relationships.

Both texts highlight how the intoxication of power leads to loss of freedom, ultimately quashing the citizens ability to express their emotions and generate independent thoughts. George Orwell uses repetition of ‘every’ to highlight the loss of freedom, ‘‘You had to live in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and…every movement scrutinized.’ This causes Winston to be instilled with fear and leads to his freedom of thought and speech being lost which are vital aspects of the human experience. Furthermore, it reveals how constant surveillance leads to the subconscious suppression of natural human emotions. This links to Carl Jung’s theory of collective unconscious in a dystopian society which he describes as, “in addition to our immediate consciousness…there exists a second psychic system of a collective, universal and impersonal nature which is identical in all individuals.” (IN TEXT REF 1) The party continues to suppress free thought and logic by mental manipulation. This is supported by the paradox, “In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it… Not merely the validity of experience, but the very existence of external reality, was tacitly denied by their philosophy.” This underlines how the party goes to great extents as to controlling objective reality within the citizens mind. This deprives the citizens the ability to generate independent thoughts and furthermore leading to ‘truth’ being formed from the never-ending party propaganda rather than on the basis of logic, reason and empiricism. Therefore, Orwell depicts how constant surveillance and mental manipulation leads to the loss of natural human emotions the ability to form independent beliefs. In contrast, soma is used in ‘TBNW’ to suppress freedom by trapping citizens in constant state of artificial happiness, this leads to a loss of independent thought and emotional suffering. This is evident by the addition of mellow non-diegetic sound when Linda takes a dose of soma. The mellow sound indicates the happiness that soma brings to Linda. Furthermore, the soma symbolizes the perfect sense of mind control, as it ultimately dulls all stimuli that would move an individual into independent thought and action. (IN TEXT REF 2) A close-up shot is used to highlight Linda’s joy by her cheerful facial expressions while she is lying on her death bed overdosed on soma. This highlights how soma creates an impenetrable wall between reality and Linda’s mind. Furthermore, it highlights how emotional suffering is essential to the human experience since it enables an individual to be more resilient and is essential part of spiritual growth. Therefore, Williams highlights how the use of soma results in loss natural emotions and independent thought. This connects to the larger idea that a loss of freedom results in the destruction of integral aspects of the human experience.

Both texts explore how individualism is lost by maintaining a uniform society; ultimately leading to the loss in the inherent value of humans. This is evident in ‘1984’ by the hyperbole, ‘three hundred million people all with the same face.’ This revels how the sense of identity is lost by creating a uniform society where everyone looks and acts the same. Furthermore, this leads to a loss in religion, culture and individual ideas; all which are critical aspects in what makes us unique as human beings. The party continues to suppress individuality by ensuring that all party members dress the same. This is supported by the visual imagery of Winston’s ‘blue overalls which were uniform to the party’. This creates uniformity and denies the people of Oceania the ability to express themselves in what they wear. Furthermore, this creates a collective identity in Oceania where one is separated from their intrinsic value as humans. Individuality continues to be suppressed in ‘1984’ by denying the citizens the ability to do anything out of their own free will. This is evident when Winston mentions, ‘To do anything that suggested a taste for solitude…was always slightly dangerous…OWNLIFE, it was called, meaning individualism and eccentricity.’ This highlights how the party eradicates anomalies by forcing everyone to participate in the same communal activities such as the ‘The Two Minutes Hate’. Furthermore, this binds the people to the collective identity which is established by the party and results in a loss in one’s unique value as an induvial which is an important aspect of the human experience. In contrast, uniformity is maintained in ‘TBNW’ by splitting society into five castes: Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas and Epsilons. This is evident by the aerial shot of the embryos being scientifically created in a factory. This process leads to all unique traits of an individual being lost since features such as appearance, interests and even intelligence are predetermined to align with one of the castes. Furthermore, this deprives citizens of possessing their own beliefs and ideas, ultimately leading to the loss in their inherent value as humans. Individuality continues to be suppressed in ‘TBNW’ by denying citizens the ability to change castes. This is evident by the tracking shot when a member of the Delta caste attempts to escape the mundane factory that he is working in. This impels how the party attempts to suppress people to their pre-determined path in life. Furthermore, this leads to a loss in individuality since all individuals are forced to conform to the job roles and even level of intellect that aligns with their particular chaste. This connects to the underlying notion that a loss of individualism leads in the devastation of essential aspects of the human experience.

Both texts explore how traditional relationships are lost since relationships are built on fear or artificial love and don’t provide the emotional connection that is essential to the human experience. This is evident in ‘1984’ through the visual imagery of the ‘look of helpless fright on the woman’s greyish face’. This revels how Mrs Parsons is fearful of her own son and highlights how the traditional mother and son relationship is dismantled, since it is absent of any form of love or affection. Furthermore, this leads to the human experience being quashed since we need affection and love for a sense of security. Ultimately, this results in a stronger relationship between the individual and Big Brother. (IN TEXT REF 3 pp66). The unique relationship between Winston and O’Brien can highlight how the party corrupts the traditional idea of relationships. This is evident by the simile, ‘He clung to O’Brien like a baby, comforted by the heavy arm around his shoulders. He had a feeling O’Brien was his protector.’ This revels how O’Brien replaces the father role for Winston, leading to Winston showing his absolute affection and loyalty to O’Brien. Furthermore, this leads to the crumbling of Winston’s human experience since the father-son relationship is a two-way relationship and needs O’Brien to show love and care to Winston to be effective. However, all O’Brien provides Winston is despair and ultimately leads to his downfall. Therefore, Orwell depicts how the traditional idea of relationships are corrupted in’1984’, since the relationships are built on fear and artificial love. In contrast, relationships in ‘TBNW’ are built on artificial love and individuals are denied the right to build long-lasting relationships. This is evident by the diegetic chanting of orgy-porgy as part of solidarity circle before group sex. This contradicts the traditional idea of sex being between two people used to maintain and build long-lasting relationships. However, sex has been twisted into being a source of entertainment and temporary satisfaction for the citizens. Therefore, sex is no longer used to maintain the emotion connection that is essential to the collective human experience between a couple. (IN TEXT REF 4). The relationship between John and Lenina can underline how relationships are built on artificial love. This is evident by the addition of soft non-diegetic sound when Lenina and John first meet. The soft sound highlights Lenina flirtatious behavior towards John and revels Lenina intention in the relationship is just to have sex with John. This leads to a loss in vital aspects of the emotional connection such as trust, loyalty and support, all which are critical in maintain a long-lasting relationship. Therefore, the traditional idea of relationships is corrupted in ‘TBNW’, since relationships are built on artificial love leading and are only short term. This connects to the larger idea that a loss of pure relationships results in decay of the emotional connection that is essential to the human experience.

In conclusion, the two texts clearly portray how the oppressive use of power results in the loss of freedom, individualism and freedom; ultimately ensuring the decay of the individual and collective human experience. Freedom is suppressed in ‘1984’ by constant surveillance and mind control while in ‘TBNW’ soma is used, leading to natural emotion and independent thought being quashed. Individuality is absent in both texts by creating a uniform society; ultimately leading to the loss in one’s unique value as an individual. The traditional idea of relationships is corrupted in both texts and don’t provide the emotional connection that is essential to the human experience. Thus, the two texts demonstrate a clear insight into how the human experience is innately valuable but can easily be corrupted.

That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong. You find yourself in the stories you read. You find it comforting and cathartic to read about characters who struggle with the same things you do. You’re experiences, struggles, longings aren’t unique. They’re omnipresent. George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, and Harry Hook’s adaptation film Lord of the Flies can be effectively compared and contrasted to represent the sense of longing, as a product of human behaviour and motivations. Thus allowing us to see the world differently, challenge our assumptions, ignite new ideas and reflect personally. The knowledge about specific ideas such as Using powr and control through fear to manipulate and destruct truth and morality, that we obtain from these texts justifies the universality of many human experiences, giving us the opportunity to interpret that these behaviours and experiences are not unique to us.

Although we may have different cultures, backgrounds, languages, ethnicities, there are certain aspects of life that we can all relate to, and that is, a universal human experience.

Power is a force that needs an object: To have power, a person has to have it over something, or someone. Everybody has a sense of power. Are you happy with your power? Do you sometimes desire more? Too much power within a group or individual can be used to exert their influence over others in order to achieve their own desires. It can lead to too much control and can corrupt a person when given the amount of power. This power can go to extents which allow the person to interpret themselves as invincible, it allows them to instill fear, to manipulate, to betray.

Hook uses Lord Of The Flies to communicate his belief that all people have the hidden inclination to destroy and hurt others without rational cause. On the other hand, Orwell tells of a world that will come about where loyalty, love, hatred, and fear can be corrupted in order to drive a perpetually oppressed society, if we are not careful.

Humans have basic needs which include food, water, and shelter. They also have base emotions and instincts, which are the very things that create humanity. However, these needs and emotions are easily manipulated. While these two stories have dissimilar plots, they do have common experiences. Lord of the Flies, and 1984, both portray the power of the government and the revolts that develop, while expressing a different nature of fear. Both texts have a strong government possessing power and control over all the citizens. They compare in expressing fear but, contrast in showing completely divergent types of fear. Each piece of literature displays jealousy and hatred towards the government which leads to revolts. Each piece provides a sense of building trust, manipulating, and betraying through the use of authority.

This idea, this experience, is universal and is also continuing through time. Though it wouldve sparked many years before we know, one example of this didactic and totalitarian world created in these texts is in 1912, stalin being the leader of the soviet union which called for world Communist revolution in the name of the international working class and advocated, in its propaganda, the eventual disappearance of national, cultural, religious, and economic distinctions. This idea of abuse of power is prevalent to this day where trump, the current president of the United States is a demagogue, a xenophobe, sexist individual who expresses admiration for authoritarian rulers, and evinces authoritarian tendencies himself. And as the disordered days and weeks of the Trump administration lengthen, the characters in “Lord of the Flies” seem to appear on our television screens every day, although in long pants rather than school uniform shorts.

In 1984, the party constantly tells people these three lines; “war is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength’, and ‘2+2+5’, can you imagine being so brainwashed that you willingly believe that 2+2=5? Similarly in Lord of the Flies, Jack and his band of savages constantly speak of the beast. ‘Maybe there is a beast… maybe its just us’. Simon says this quote allowing them to re evaluate their judgement, although falling straight back into the trap of manipulation. In both instances, the ruling body creates false realities, that their constituents eventually start to believe even though they know that it is a false reality. Moreover, as the citizens begin to believe the lies, they compound on themselves, as eventually the lies become their reality, as the only reality that matters is the reality in the mind. This false reality can also be given a simpler example which I can undoubtedly say has happened to each and everyone of us. Once I found out something about myself which I didn’t even know, from someone I didn’t even know. False words can be created and filled into someones minds to manipulate their beliefs which is effectively what these two texts illustrated.

That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.

Humans have been telling stories since we could speak. We tell stories around the campfire, we write plays, novels, short stories and make movies. We do this because stories are an opportunity to share our personal experiences. Common human experiences that arise and are relatable to readers are the repression of freedom and the importance of memory to both individuals and political collectives, since such freedoms are necessary for a healthy society. The power of story is that it has the ability to connect audiences with these individual and collective human experiences on an emotional level. One piece of advice you hear all the time is ‘write what you know’. This means to put something of ourselves into our stories — our life experiences which made us feel a particular way, and the job of storytellers is to get the audience to have a deeper understanding of the same way you felt. In this way storytelling leads to a deeper understanding of the human qualities and emotions that make us human. In this presentation I am here to show that storytelling in the dystopian novel 1984 written in 1949, by George Orwell, and the dystopian film, The Giver directed by Phillip Noyce in 2014 both represent and shape human qualities and emotions such as fear, the repression of freedom, and the importance of memory. The protagonists Winston and Jonas likewise give insight into anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies in human behaviour and motivation.

Orwell’s novel represents the power of storytelling, in warning society about the repression of freedom that results from surveillance and suppression by a totalitarian regime. While few Western audiences today would understand this experience, Orwell was drawing from his observation of Hitler and Stalin’s regimes at the close of WWII. The novel leads to a deeper understanding of the human responses to fear, including collective conformity, even if that means individual lives are characterised by a repression of freedom. This paradox is identified earlier in the novel in , where Winston describes telescreens: “You had to live – did live, from habit that became instinct – in the assumption that every sound made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinised,” Orwell uses repetition and personal recount to make readers feel connected to the character and having a deeper understanding of the fear when living in the totalitarian regime. Telescreens are a recurring motif in 1984, which ensure that “Big Brother” has ultimate control over its subjects. They are able to watch for any physical signs or language of ‘disloyalty’ at all times. The telescreens are also used to brainwash the citizens, and become vehicles of storytelling through propaganda, such as the “Two Minutes Hate”. Winston knows the purpose of this propaganda tool, and is aware that it is a form of brainwashing and yet he submits to it, even finding himself enjoying it, admitting the irony: “The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but that it was impossible to avoid joining in”.

More forceful repression of freedom is evident later in the novel when storytelling takes the form of reprogramming under torture, when Winston finds himself in the so-called “Ministry of Love” with O’Brien. Winston makes the declarative statement that: “Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain” showing how his experiences override his political ideals. As a result of this torture, Winston loses his conviction and beliefs and finds himself doing anything to avoid further pain, such as confessing to all manner of absurd crimes, evident in the cumulative listing: “He confessed that he was a religious believer an admirer of capitalism and a sexual pervert”. In the end, Winston loses the metaphorical space of his individualism : “Nothing was your own except the few cubic centimetres in your skull” and determines that “He loved Big Brother”. Through Winston’s subjugation and newfound loyalty to the Party, Orwell shows the significance of individual freedoms and personal memories and warns about the power of subversive forms of storytelling to shape human qualities, emotions and beliefs.

Storytelling in 1984 also involves the absence of history, the collective stories of the past, and individual memories that reveal human qualities and emotions which are no longer condoned by the Party. Winston’s rebellion against the Party, includes his attempt to find that redacted history: “Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.’. The Party’s slogan is widely disseminated and acts as a reoccurring motif to control society. When Winston tries to question an old man in a public bar – a dangerous thing to do and a sign of Winston’s hunger to learn about the past— the old man remembers nothing except a few random words and details. Winston reflects on the difficulty of his attempt, as truth has become relative under the Party’s regime: “He reflected, the huge and simple question, ‘Was life better before the Revolution than it is now?’ would have ceased once and for all to be answerable. But in effect it was unanswerable even now, since the few scattered survivors from the ancient world were incapable of comparing one age with another”. The use of antitheses in this extract tells us much about the frailty and unreliability of human memory but also, its centrality to the human experience. Winston’s society is hopeless in part because they have lost the collective story of their past. His interest in recovering these memories makes Winston, as O’Brien points out the hyperbolic, ‘last man,’ since everyone else has forgotten the stories that made them human

Both 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 reflect a dystopian future where information is tightly controlled and the populace seems to care little for the fact that they are being lied to and manipulated into working for the ambitions of their government. Both governments in the story have taken control of the media, and thus the population and both characters are a part of agencies that help keep the government in control of the people. The novels explain how when a large number of people become complicit within the system they are ruled over it results in a society of followers who are not capable of thinking for themselves and can even take away a person’s humanity in some cases.

The way in which the government in 1984 maintains control over its citizens is through a combination of manipulation and fear. As well as the ever-present threat of discovery by the Thought Police, which Winston illustrates in the beginning of the novel, who are able to observe everyone all the time and see into their minds. In addition, there is the way in which the Party turns families against each other, with children denouncing their guardians to the police for the most negligible wrongdoings. The Party’s attack on families does not solely aim to separate guardians from children, but moreover spouse from spouse, because it chastises sex itself, making individuals think it is only a functional necessity instead of a physical act of joy and love. Lastly, the most vital aspect perhaps, highlighted through Winston’s work within the Ministry of Truth, the crucial way in which the government keeps control through its iron-grip of what happened in the past.

When looking at the quote: “And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed–if all records told the same tale–then the lie passed into history and became truth. ‘Who controls the past,’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.’ And yet the past, though of its nature alterable, never had been altered. Whatever was true now was true from everlasting to everlasting. It was quite simple. All that was needed was an unending series of victories over your own memory. ‘Reality control,’ they called it: in Newspeak, ‘doublethink.’”

This highlights how the Party ensured complicity through their control of the ‘truth’ of what happened in the past by constantly shifting historical realities and the various ‘unending series of victories over your own memory.’ It is this that enables the Party to change allegiance during the war without anyone realising, and immediately to have forever been opposed to the opposite side. The title that is given to this operation, ‘Reality Control,’ indicates how through this strategy the Party is able to literally control reality and people’s discernment of it, which is the foremost viable strategy of keeping control over its masses.

In Fahrenheit 451 the government gained and maintained control by giving people the illusion of free thought while simultaneously indoctrinating the population to think in a manner that suited the government. The government believed that people when left to their own devices would become out of control, whereby said government would be unable to direct the thought processes of the masses. Thus they began a procedure of introducing total conformity which was enforced brutally. In their greed and arrogance for power the government further ensured complicity through the elimination, over time, of literature and media which could be deemed offensive or containing messages which were not profitable. The government was aware that people would choose the path of least resistance as opposed to facing punitive discipline. Therefore, they maintained control over the population through the removal of individual thought and playing on people’s fears.

Both Winston Smith and Guy Montag desire to break free from their respective systems and thus rebel. However, it is clear from the start that Winston Smith and Guy Montag have completely different personalities, jobs, social networks, and thus potential resources available to them in their liberating action.

Winston Smith can be seen as pitiful and longs to liberate himself, however is unable to do so. Occasionally he is represented in this manner and lacking in confidence, lending itself to feelings of sympathy by the reader. One such example is the scene following Winston’s torture when he notices his reflection: “a bowed, grey-coloured, skeleton-like thing was coming towards him. Its actual appearance was frightening…The creature’s face seemed to be protruded, because of its bent carriage. A forlorn, jailbird’s face with a nobby forehead running back into a bald scalp, a crooked nose, and battered- looking cheekbones above which his eyes were fierce and watchful.”

It is clear that although Winston wishes to change the system, the chances of him succeeding in doing so are near impossible. Even being a member of the Outer Party does not facilitate him to achieve success in his resistance, as he lacks the necessary resources. Were he perhaps a member of the Inner Party, his likelihood of success would greatly increase. One can argue that Winston is cognizant of the indestructible power of the system and thus its infallibility. Winston’s habit of expecting negative outcomes is shown on numerous occasions: “Folly, folly his heart kept saying. Conscious, gratuitous, suicidal folly.” Or similarly: “The Thought Police would get him just the same.” His internal belief that he cannot win, results in his own destruction.

Moreover, he is not sensible enough to organise any acts of rebellion. His inability to manage practicalities forces him to depend on Julia and later O’Brien which highlight his gullible and all too trusting nature. His intellectual ability leads him to ponder the how’s and whys pertaining to the system, however this does not result in success. He thinks theoretically, but in order to further his cause it is necessary for him to make practical arrangements, which he fails to do. Winston’s error in putting his hopes outside of his control lead to his life continuing to be driven by the constant worry of being caught.

In comparison, Montag’s personality seems to allude to a potential success as well as he has many more resources at his disposal. As can be seen during a conversation with his wife where he says: “I’m going to do something….I don’t even know what yet, but I’m going to do something big.” Although it may not yet be conscious the grounds for his acts of rebellion to come are clearly laid out. Montag’s wilfulness and stubbornness are demonstrated throughout the novel, such as his refusal to give up after being stung by the Mechanical Hound, “Faber’s would be the place he might refuel his fast-draining belief in his own ability to survive,” thus although injured, he continues in his quest to find a solution and follow his goals. Similarly he uses his position of authority to his benefit, “I’m a fireman. I can burn you.” This position gives him access to necessary information and resources whch he uses to further his revolt. Thus, both Winston and Montag are endangering the lives of those around them and use violence, however only Montag has the resources in order to enable him do so effectively.

Another aspect is, the relationships they form with people around them which have contradictory impacts on their lives. Winston finds himself isolated in his strife as he does not have any trustworthy allies apart from Julia who does not believe in the rebellion. In direct contrast to Montag, ultimately Winston’s relationships lead to his downfall. Montag meets Clarisse who represents true reality and a perspective on an alternate way of life, and her death results in Montag feeling compelled to fulfil her message. Moreover, he has other people who help him in his quest with Faber facilitating his action, and Granger and other members of the group assisting him in finding liberation. Thus although both characters revolt against the various oppressive systems prevalent in their lives, the scope of their rebellions differ considerably.

Winston is watched throughout his revolt and what first appears to be his liberation is merely a part of the systematic process leading to his failure. In fact his rebellion begins by writing a diary which he views as concrete evidence of the falsification of facts by the Inner Party: “It was enough to blow the party to atoms if in some way it could have been published to the world and its significance made known” His naivety is clearly highlighted here through the use of this fallacy as he believes the system can be overthrown by a single piece of contradictory paper. Thus the scope of his rebellion is hardly impressive. No matter how illegal his writing of the diary and extra-marital affairs really does little to affect the well-established system in place, even if the Thought Police were not on the lookout. Ultimately he suffers the same fate as the rest of Oceania as unknowingly he becomes a function of a process he is never allowed to understand or control. His diary which begins as a means to document his protests, ends up as a vocalisation of adoration for Big Brother. Thus, he is crushed by a system which controls and watches his every step, while he dreams secretly about the fall of the establishment.

At the start, the scale of Montag‘s rebellion is in many ways very similar to that of Winston’s. He begins to think for himself and conceal books, however these offences will still be forgiven if he makes amends. Later on, however, Montag eventually makes an open declarion of war against the government by killing Beatty. Through clever use of resources available to him and his natural abilities he escapes the Mechanical Hound, joins a legion of exiled rebels, memorises books and continues to plan the building of the mirror factory. Henceforth he begins as a loyal supporter of the system but ultimately ends up as a member of the intellectually elite who are to build the future for mankind, his metamorphoses is complete.

Therefore, different approaches are taken by the two governments in order to ensure complicity and keep control over its citizens. In Fahrenheit 451 this occurs through the removal of information in its entirety in comparison to 1984 where the government rewrites history itself. Both methods, however, result in people remaining complicit within their various oppressive systems and enabling the government to dictate the thoughts of the masses and what they believe to be reality and fact. Thus, when looking at Winston and Montag it is evident that although the individual himself may be able to escape from the tyranny of an oppressive government, the power of the individual it is not enough to change the system in its entirety.