Family and Social Structure: In Brave New World and 1984 Brave New World and 1984 are both dystopian novels set in the future. The two books are,in a sense, a parody of society and exaggerate the flaws of how we live. And the protagonist of either story doesn’t quite fit in the world he lives in and attempts to take a stand against the overpowering government. Despite these similarities, the books are not carbon copies of one another and they have completely different approaches to similar subjects. Family and Social Structure are keys themes in both Brave New World and 1984 that are as similar as they are different. In Brave New World the concept of family ties is so unheard of that it’s even considered taboo. Since children are grown in …show more content…
All of which had been conditioned since birth to behave in certain mannerisms depending on their social status. “The lower the class...the shorter the oxygen.” (Huxley 14) and they are exposed to alcohol at varying levels to ensure the desired brain capacity. Alphas are not subjugated to this treatment and are allowed to develop as a normal person would. Each group is trained like Pavlov’s dogs and are conditioned to fill their role in society, and their lives are predestined. In 1984, there are only three classes: the Inner Party, the Outer Party, and the Proles. The inner party is the highest class and watches over the other two parties and monitors their loyalty. The outer party represents the middle or working class, and their lives are watched closely by the Inner party. Proles are representative of the lower class, they are the largest social group, and live their lives in poverty.”Proles and animals are free,”(Orwell 62) the proles enjoy the most freedom because the higher classes don’t believe that they are competent enough to be considered a threat. In 1984 “proles remained human” as they were allowed to live freely and in Brave New World the Alphas are the most human because they aren’t altered as fetuses. Also, unlike Brave New World there is nothing done to the different groups of people to stunt their mental capacity. However, tests are taken to determine which party and individual belongs in. Colored uniforms distinguish parties, but the color sequence is different in the two stories, In example, black is the color of the Inner Party, the highest group, but also the proles, the lowest group. Also, the social classes in 1984 rarely intermingle, while in Brave New World there’s little bias when it comes to
No matter how they are told or expressed, most dystopian stories have several similar assets. They are usually made to be unique, however there are usually numerous links between them. The book Brave New World and the film “The Island” are prime examples of this statement. A few similarities include the actions of hypnopaedia, forbidden love and affection, and un-natural births.
Many people today are fighters and make attempts to stand up for what they believe in. Another way 1984 impacted us today is that the novel was a prediction of a controlling government. “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever” (page 267). Just like in 1984 they had “telescreens”monitoring their every move, we know there are so many surveillance cameras used everywhere we go. There are also microphones and the government is able to tap their citizens’ phone to monitor what they say. This ties into the main theme
The novel 1984 is one that has sparked much controversy over the last several decades. It harbors many key ideas that lie at the root of all skepticism towards the book. With the ideas of metaphysics, change, and control in mind, George Orwell wrote 1984 to provide an interesting story but also to express his ideas of where he believed the world was heading. His ideas were considered widely ahead of their time, and he was really able to drive home how bleak and colorless our society really is. Orwell wrote this piece as a futuristic, dystopian book which contained underlying tones of despair and deceit.
There are lots of ways to compare 1984 by George Orwell to Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. They both have to do with very futuristic ideas. I noticed that they both had basically the same character structure. In 1984, there is the leading lady Julia, and in Brave New World, there is Lenina Crowne.
In the article excerpt, social critic Neil Postman describes two dystopian novels: George Orwell’s 1984, and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. Postman compares which novel is more relevant to today’s society, and leans more towards Brave New World. When both novels are compared side by side, it is evident that Huxley’s world is indeed more relative to modern day civilization.
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...
...nly contemplate living as an alpha or beta because we cannot contemplate living without being able to formulate ideas or basically think. No one considers living as one of the lower castes and only working throughout life until death. Thus, it seems that Huxley intended to portray an acceptable society on the surface with undesirable traits hidden deeper. In conclusion, both of these novels portray an attractive life in a utopian society, if one can conform to the rules. When people cannot conform to the societies in which they dwell (as the main characters of both novels cannot) they are branded as subversives and punished as traitors. Life in 1984 would be almost too unbearable to live. Life in Brave New World is only acceptable if one is willing to live a life of the caste one is in, that is to produce (as a lower caste) or consume (as a higher caste).
They both warn us of the dangers of a totalitarian society. Both books express a utopian ideal, examine characters that are forced into this state and are compelled to deal with this society and all the rules involved. The impracticality of the utopian ideal is explored in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Huxley’s Brave New World. Both authors suggest that a lack of familial bonds, the repression of human individuality, and the repression of artistic and creative endeavors in order to attain a stable environment renders the achievement of a perfect state unrealistic. The lack of familial bonds, in both novels, contributes to the development of a dystopian society.
1984, a dystopian novel, was written by George Orwell. Winston Smith, the protagonist, lives in a society where people have restrictions both mentally and physically. The story takes place in Oceania in the year 1984. Citizens of Oceania do not lead personal lives because the people are constantly being observed by telescreens. Thinking individually or thinking against the Party, which is the government of Oceania, is considered thoughtcrime. People are vaporized for doing such things.
Brave New World seems to be more advance in its practices, because it manages to keep the people in a happy brainwashed state rather than a fearful state as seen in 1984. Most of the technology seen in 1984 was through the telescreens which allowed for Big Brother to be all knowing as well as influencing all actions of the people. Brave New World has a greater emergence of technology due to the advancements in science, this allows the World State to be in control of the people before birth. The government in Brave New World conditions people to do the actions which the World State demands. Although Brave New World and 1984 show great similarity, they differ in their fear vs. pleasure practices, as well as Brave New Worlds advancement in technology compared to 1984.
The one main similarity and difference that goes hand in hand is what makes them dystopian. In both books the main characters, Winston Smith and Guy Montag, experience having to submit to their government’s rules and eventually not being able to do so anymore and going against the most enforced rule. Winston, character of 1984, wrote and thought against dystopian leader Big Brother which lead to mental, emotional, and physical manipulation to get him to not only follow but love Big Brother. Guy , character of Fahrenheit 451, on the other hand, did not write against his political leader, but read against him
middle of paper ... ... Due to the travesty of 9/11 society today lives in post 9/11 fear where citizens want protective polices in place but don't want those actions used against them. What government has done is manipulate this fear, while 1984 helps those who welcomed intrusive surveillance question this as another form of government manipulation to bolster government power over its citizens. Ultimately, common ideas found in the novel 1984, totalitarianism, surveillance, and lack of privacy are also ubiquitous in modern society and government.
When defining family, the U.S. Census Bureau defines it as "a family is a group of two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption, and residing together". Essentially, this definition pulls a broad pool of people together. In Jack's case, he considers his mother, father, two siblings, both of his grandfathers, his aunt, his wife, and almost newborn baby to be in his family. A household, on the other hand, is anyone that lives together in a particular space (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Jack explained that his household consists of himself and his wife. Soon, it was also consist of his newborn child.
After reading the book and watching the movie 1984 there were similarities and differences between the two. The novel is about manipulating people in believing in something that isn’t really there and about erasing history. Both the book and film focused on: authority, government, and war. The book and film follow the theme of conformity to control society.
The television sitcom Modern Family produced by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd shows the many different types of a modern American family. According to Andrew Hampp, “The show is among the most-viewed scripted programs in prime time in its second season, averaging 11 million viewers during original airings and often ranked as the most DVRed program most weeks” (2). The television show is a frequently watched show and is liked by many viewers. Modern Family's storyline helps the families of viewers by being an influential and relatable show to different types of families. The show is about the lives of three different families that are all related. In the show there are Jay and Gloria, an intergenerational couple with two sons-- Manny (from Gloria’s previous relationship) and Joe, their new baby. Jay’s adult son Cameron is married to his gay partner Mitchell, and they adopted Lily from Vietnam. Finally, Jay’s daughter Claire is married to her heterosexual partner named Phil and they have three children. The show is influential to our culture today because it shows these different types of families and addresses controversial themes such as gay adoption, the different family connections and communications, intergenerational coupling, and acceptance of diversity within an extended family. The family is easy to relate to while watching because it is based off of real family situations.