Similarities Between 1984 And The Handmaid's Tale

1984 by George Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale are staples of dystopian literature. Each respective author creates a scenario that resonates with their audience. Although these scenarios are different, there are key similarities present in each. In each novel, the government employs psychological stratagems designed to maintain control over their citizens. In each novel, literary works are deemed to be volatile, and are treated as such. But perhaps most interesting, is the approach each author takes in presenting a scenario that appears to be utopic, and presenting it in a way that is dystopic.

In each novel, the government is oppressive and seeks to maintain its tight grasp on its citizens.

To accomplish this, each government uses tactics that take advantage of the human psyche. In Brave New World, there is a social hierarchy in place that is designed to make sure everyone has a duty that benefits the society as a whole, without infringing upon the daily life of the other castes.

To ensure that this system works, hypnopaedia is exercised. Hypnopaedia is a technique where messages are played on loop while the target is sleeping, until they become integrated into the subject’s brain. The goal of this is to create a society where everyone is content in their role and its limitations. In turn, this practice maintains morale among citizens, thus preventing an uprising. messages played tend to revolve around topics including the social castes and loyalty to the government. In 1984, citizens are under constant surveillance, and as a result, privacy is diminished. This has a profound impact on the human psyche, as each person feels that he or she will be killed if they say any miniscule thing that doesn’t align with the government’s views. The government even employs children as spies, and in several cases, kids reported their parents to the government, resulting in their demise. This is detrimental to family life, as parents are constantly on edge around their children, fearing that they could report them. However, the method is effective, as rebellious parents are prevented from spreading their ideologies on to their offspring. In

The Handmaid’s Tales, the handmaids are frequently told about the injustices that women endured before the Gilead society was formed. The idea, is to convince the women that their new cruel life is better than their previous one where they had rights and freedom. In fact, at one point Atwood writes, “You are a transitional generation, said Aunt Lydia. It is the hardest for you…. For the ones who conic after you, it will be easier. They will accept their duties with willing hearts.” Here, Aunt Lydia, the very character who preaches on the luxuries afforded to the handmaids in their present state, acknowledges that their former situation was better. The quote also ends on a chilling point, stating that the new generation will only known the harsh life the handmaids now know, and will not yearn for a better life. In each story, the government induces a mob mentality that is designed to create unity. In Brave New World, when John attempts to dispose of soma, a government-distributed drug, he is attacked by a mob of angry citizens who are experiencing withdrawals from their coveted drug. In 1984, the government imposes a Two Minutes Hate, where everyone essentially yells obscenities at a screen displaying a government traitor, Emmanuel Goldstein. In The Handmaid’s Tale, there is a particicution, where handmaids are forced to kill someone who commits a crime, although in the book it is suggested that the man was innocent and was just a rebel. In each case, a common enemy is the medium used to generate unity within the government’s citizens. This tactic is particularly effective, as the common enemy is used as a scapegoat to shift the attention of those being oppressed from their oppressors. This decreases the likelihood of a potential revolt.
Literature is a powerful tool because it is thought-provoking.

It can be used to spread ideas and gain knowledge. Because of this, it is no surprise that citizens were forbidden to produce or possess literary works. In 1984, the government changes headlines and “facts” to align with their agenda. As a result, citizens never truly know what is happening in the world around them and are manipulated into believing what the government seeks them to. Because they have no history books or tangible proof to denounce the rewritten history, everyone is kept in the dark, and the government retains control. In The Handmaid’s Tale, the handmaids are prevented from reading and writing. In a theocracy that is led by those who nitpick verses from the bible, and perverse them to oppress women, if the oppressed were able to read the verses that contradict the innerworkings of the government, instability would be generated. In Brave New World, the controller Mustapha Mond, beautifully sums up the reasoning behind the banning of literature when he says,” Power is derived from a denial of knowledge. Forced ignorance keeps the citizens in line.” What Mond means is that by not allowing citizens to know how they are being controlled, an equilibrium of power is created and keeping the citizens ignorant to how they are being controlled is they key to maintaining this state of metaphorical

homeostasis.
In each text, the author presents an idea that could be perceived as a utopia and turns it into a dystopia. In Brave New World, everyone receives instant gratification, there are no diseases, and people do not age. Upon first glance, this seems ideal; however, Huxley takes all of these elements and incorporates them in his dystopia. Because everything is afforded to them, the characters in the story have no ambitions or wants. People in the lower castes are confined to their role forever. This directly contradicts the “American Dream” which is the idea that no matter where you start, hard work and perseverance will allow you to better your life. People are not allowed to form intimate, monogamous relationships, and people are encouraged to pursue multiple partners. Citizens are robbed of their free will, and ability to appease their human needs and wants, while contradictorily, simultaneously being given just that. In 1984, citizens are provided protection, and do not have to worry about terroristic acts. In today’s society where mass shootings are prevalent, this sounds great. However, to achieve this, everyone is constantly monitored and if anyone rebels against the government they are executed. In The Handmaid’s Tale, women are protected from social injustices such as catcalling. However, they lose their freedom to do as they want. This is perfectly summed up when Atwood writes, “There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don’t underrate it.” In fact, it can be argued that each dystopian novel poses one question: Is it possible to be safe and free? In each dystopia mentioned, all of the citizens are safe. They are protected from the very things that most people within today’s society fear the most. However, in every single scenario, individuality is obliterated, and each person lacks freedom to do as he or she chooses. This question that lies at the core of dystopian literature forces the reader to undergo a deep self-reflection. Although the idea of ridding the world of all factors that could cause the human race discomfort or harm sounds fantastic, with it comes measures that infringe upon desires and ambitions that make us human.
Huxley, Atwood, and Orwell each craft a different Utopia, that they amazingly manage to mold into a dystopian society. While each scenario is unique, there are several core components that share similarities within each. Each author incorporates an oppressor that utilizes psychological tactics to maintain their control over the oppressed. In each scenario, these same oppressors fear the power of literature. As a result, literary works are banned in each dystopian society. Each respective author’s story transcends though among his or her audience, and leaves the reader asking the same rhetorical question: can we be safe and free?