Compare the techniques that George Orwell and James McTeigue use to explore the idea that physical confinement is not the only form of imprisonment in Nineteen Eighty-four and V for Vendetta.
George Orwell’s 1984 and James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta both have similar views on totalitarian societies and the impact this has on an individual’s physical state but even more so, their psychological state. Both works demonstrate themes of power and control through techniques of manipulation and propaganda. Techniques used by first-time director, James McTeigue, demonstrate the rebellion against the injustice of an oppressive government and similarly George Orwell’s dystopian vision and concept of total surveillance under brainwashing propaganda.
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However, both texts implicate police that monitor the common people and disturb any obstacles in the ruling party’s way. In V for Vendetta normal police forces were amongst society excluding the ‘Fingermen’ who lurk among the darkness and spies on individuals. The thought police in 1984 have a similar intent, however, in McTeigue’s Dystopia, their sexual behaviours and desires and not supressed and they attempt to rape Evey in the first act. The thought police are extremely loyal to the inner party and any sexual relations are repressed. The imprisonment and watchful eye of Big Brother operates to brainwash the people with propaganda through telescreens and fear. Chancellor Sultor’s Government also hold the majority of society brainwashed however the way they achieve this and use their propaganda contrasts. This difference is that the inner party in 1984 lies to the public to any hide negative aspects impacting on the government but continues to update on the positive developments on their progress. Whereas, the Norsefire party choices to improvise on situations but disclaim any use to the advantage as a propaganda through the media, such as the bombing of parliament. They claimed it was a planned demolition of …show more content…
The director uses dialog to emphasise the theme when a loud speaker signals ‘yellow coded curfew’. The direct techniques is similar to George Orwell’s imagery to convey the atmosphere. [Winston Smith] slipped quickly through the glass doors [in an effort to escape the vile wind] though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him.” Both Auteurs use techniques to show that as a result of a government in domination and how power and control are gained using fear to enforce the public’s
In “1984,” Orwell portrays Winston’s secret struggle to undermine the totalitarian rule of Big Brother and the Party in Oceania. The different government agencies, such as the Thought Police and Ministry of Love, exercise unrestricted totalitarian rule over people. Winston actively seeks to join the rebellion and acquire the freedoms undermined by the Party. On the other hand, Heinlein’s brief narrative, “The Long Watch,” depicts a contrasting struggle championed by Dahlquist against the power hungry Colonel Towers and the Patrol. In his struggle to prevent the total domination of the world by the Patrol, Dahlquist chooses to sacrifice his life. Le Guin’s “The Ones who walk away from Omelas,” illustrates a communal form of injustice tolerated for the benefit of the entire city but necessitating the inhumane imprisonment of a child. He portrays the ambiguity of human morality and the individual struggle to determine right from wrong. The authors address social change and power in different ways, reflective of their individual perceptions. Hence, in each narrative, the author illustrates the individual’s role in effecting social change and the conditions under which such change becomes possible.
The book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and the movie V for Vendetta both take place in a dystopian future. Each one very different, but similar dystopian societies with many similar aspects such as luring citizens into false happiness, censoring citizens from different forms of literature, and characters who can really see behind the government’s façade and tell what is wrong with society. Similarity between the two ranges from meek things such as a similar setting with both societies residing in London, or more intricate things like similarities between the governments. Since the beginning of mankind humans have long since craved for a feeling of belonging and to be a part of something. Over the long history of mankind this same feeling has led to the growth of civilizations and societies. Eventually leading up to modern day societies with governments such as republics, dictatorships, and democracies. Each with its own different ways of
“"Propaganda is as powerful as heroin, it surreptitiously dissolves all capacity to think” by Gil Courtemanche connects to the sad fact of using propaganda as a deadly weapon to feed people with false information and stop them from thinking. George Orwell’s novel, 1984, describes a totalitarian dystopian society where the Party is constantly brainwashing its citizens with information that is beneficial to its own rights. On the opposite side, people are working for the party just like dominated slaves for their masters without knowing what’s going on. But, in order for the party to achieve this goal, they have to use different techniques of propaganda in Oceania to create fear for people so that they can obey the rules. The use of propaganda in the society of 1984 takes away freedom from individuals because of the absence of privacy, thinking and making decisions.
Due to rising levels of danger along with the creation and utilization of new technology, the government of the twenty first century, are becoming more involved and protective similar to the government of Oceania in the book Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell. In the book Nineteen Eighty Four, the main character Winston Smith, commits acts that are not legal according to the government of Oceania. Winston commits crimes which include thinking bad things about the government of Oceania, or thought crime, plotting against the government of Oceania, and having sexual relations with a young woman named Julia. Eventually, Winston ends up getting caught by a hidden telescreen and two thought police informants. When Winston is caught, he is transported to a prison without being read rights, much less having any actual rights. While in prison Winston is deprived of food and sleep, received regular beatings, is brainwashed, and is tortured physically, mentally, and emotionally. This essay will show the reader what the modern day government of the United States of America does to its political prisoners and how this compares to the treatment of political prisoners in George Orwell’s book Nineteen Eighty Four.
The Party and its leader Big Brother play the role of authority in 1984. The Party is always watching the citizens of the Republic of Oceania. This is exemplified in the fact that the government has telescreens through which they can watch you wherever you are set up almost everywhere. Even in the countryside where there are no telescreens, the Party can monitor its citizens through hidden microphones disguised as flowers. The Thought Police are capable of spying on your thoughts at anytime, and can arrest or even kill you on a whim. Not only does the Thought Police find and hunt down felons, but it also scares others into being good citizens. The Party strives to eliminate more and more words from people’s vocabularies. Thus, the Party can destroy any possibilities of revolutions and conspiracies against itself. Its ultimate goal is to reduce the language to only one word, eliminating thought of any kind. The Party makes people believe that it is good and right in its actions through the Ministry of Truth and through the slogans printed on the Ministry of Truth:...
Through different experiences, beliefs, values and ideas, individuals can evolve identity through human nature, in society and critical life experiences. Human nature is elucidated dystopically in the works of George Orwell’s novel, 1984, and James McTeigue’s visual, V for Vendetta, which represent divergent societies, bound by totalitarian oppression and degrading human constructs. Published in 1948 by George Orwell, 1984 is a novel set in a future society, scarred by eternal war, ubiquitous government surveillance, controlled history and tyrannical manipulation by the superstate. Winston Smith, a diligent Outer Party member, inconspicuously rebels against the English socialist, ‘Ingsoc’ Party and despot leader, ‘Big Brother’, by regaining
In conclusion, George Orwell and James McTeigue demonstrate how the anti-hero’s personality and behaviour can be used in accomplishing their goal.
The societies in the works V for vendetta, directed by James McTeigue, and 1984, written by George Orwell, are two examples of societies that have evolved to form a dystopia within their own created realm. A closer look at the two societies reveals that they are similar with their leaders, physical power and their totalitarian rule, however, they posses differences within those three crucial dystopian themes. 1984’s differences portray a more successful dystopia. 1984’s leader, physical control and totalitarian rule create a pinnacle example of a successful dystopia in ways that V for Vendetta’s structure could not.
The idea of control and fear dictates the freedoms and philosophies within a society. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, the party, Ingsoc, manipulate the characters’ lives with the creation of the Spies, establishment of the thought police, and dependence on mediums. Similarly, in Brian Percival’s film The Book Thief, the Nazi regime controls the characters’ lives through the Hitler’s Youth Movement, the fear of the Gestapo, and use of mediums. In both the novel and film, these governments focus on the manipulation of youth, fear of authority, and use of mediums influence the characters’ morals and beliefs. With the governments heavily influence on the characters’ lives, this ultimately leads to the loss of one’s individuality within the society.
”The values, beliefs and attitudes of George Orwell’s can easily be seen in the novel 1984, as no text is neutral. These values attitudes and beliefs have shaped the novel to reflect socio-cultural context and by the use of certain discourses, ideologies, and historical influences support the idea that) “The explanation of a work is always sought in the man or women who produced it “Bathes Roland (1977).
An overview of the Orwellian world of 1984 will give some context for comparison between what is happening in our world today, how it mirrors the situation in the novel, and the implications that it carries regarding what is happening within our society...
“WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” Part 1,Chapter 1,pg. 6. These three principles were repeatedly emphasized throughout the book and helped lay the foundation of the dystopian society George Orwell imagined in his novel 1984. Fear, manipulation, and control were all encompassed throughout this dystopian society set in the distant future. The freedom to express ones thoughts was no longer acceptable and would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Humankind was rapidly transforming into a corrupt and evil state of mind.
The dystopian novel “1984” and the movie “V for Vendetta”, share a variety of differences and similarities. Both have a totalitarian government in which they have absolute power over politics, religion and human rights. Extensive speech, critical thinking, thoughtful writing, and voice of opinion has either been restricted or limited in 1984’s Oceania and V for Vendetta’s future London. The protagonists in both novels and films have “resisted” their government. However, the methods used to employ their “rebellion” are quite different.
According to the director of V for Vendetta (2005) a political agenda founded on the idea that people should be free to live as they choose and stand up for their principles without compromise, given there is no negative impact on positive social cohesion, is preferable. Film techniques are employed in the film to convince the audience to embrace this idea. Characters who believe in the ideology are presented as likeable and the film’s heroes resulting in the audience viewing the ideology in a positive manner. Conversely, the antagonists of the film are made to be those who practice a polar opposite ideology causing the audience to associate opposition to the ideology with villainy. While the film acknowledges that the actions taken to advance
Magill, Frank N. Ed. “Nineteen Eighty-Four” Masterpieces of World Literature. New York NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1989. 582-585. Orwell, George.