Similarities Between Fahrenheit 451 And 1984

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Notes 1984

See definitions for Fahrenheit 451 ---- similar themes

Make reference to similar themes between these two texts/movies

Control on society ,
Dystopian societies, totalitarian control

Note history - communist movement at the time and Orwell's concern for this
Note also the threat of technology and its potential to control individuals and society.

Essay thoughts/plan

Introduction Name and discuss the theme and brief outline of Orwell's novel. Bleak account of civilisation that is pessimistic, controlling and under totalitarian rules.Write what motivated orwell to write this ie history at the time was the threat of communist rule (1949) and Orwell was concerned about the oppressive nature of communism. Also touch on the potential …show more content…

At the time American leaders supported communism and Orwell was concerned by the widespread oppressions and cruelties it presented, particularly the role technology played in enabling authoritarian governments to control and monitor its citizens.

I am deeply concerned , like Orwell, by these concepts and challenge this ideology. Orwell's novel draws several parallels with the underlying themes of Truffaut's film Fahrenheit 451. We must be aware of the realization of a modern day government with absolute power and challenge this. Orwall made me consider what it could be like to be under the thumb of a government that controls individuals lives to the extent that even having disloyal thoughts is considered against the law.

Winston Smith is the main character in this novel. He pushes the political limits of Orwell's society only to find himself truly entrapped within the web of this totalitarian society. This causes me to question and serves as a warning about the consequences of our actions. The dystopian setting of Orwell's novel helps me understand the possible totalitarianism and funametalistic ideals that could happen in our own society and makes me aware of the need to be mindful to the possible political influences and outcomes within the our …show more content…

Who controls the present controls the past”.
The result of this practice is that the citizens of Oceania have very short , fuzzy memories and a willingness to believe anything the Party tells them - very much psychological manipulation in my opinion.

“War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength”. This is the official slogan the Party. It purpose is to weaken the strength and independence of an individual's mind.
In Orwell's society this serves to weaken individuals, forcing them to live in a constant state of propaganda induced fear. The Party is able to get its members to do accept anything it decides even if it is totally illogical. The thought of such control over an individual scares me!

The Party of Oreania utilizes control through the use of technology. Giant telescreens in every citizens room blast constant propaganda designed to manipulate the Party's shortcomings to in fact be giant successors. The telescreens also serve to monitor people's behaviour where ever they go.”Big brother is watching you”. To me this is so wrong as the immoral utilization of technology in this situation serves only to facilitate loss of privacy, individuality and thereby wicked

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