Totalitarianism in 1984

Definition of totalitarianism: absolute control by the state or a governing branch of a highly centralized institution.

Totalitarianism is one of the main themes in 1984. In post WWII Europe, Oceania has become the ruling power with the "Party"

as it's ruling assembly and "Big Brother" at it's head.

Differences between the societies:

1. How the governments control people's

thoughts and actions

2. The ideas of complacency and fear

Critic Neil Postman quotes in his book, Amusing Ourselves to Death:

"What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.... In 1984, Orwell added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we fear will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we desire will ruin us."

Similarities between the societies in

Fahrenheit 451 and 1984:

1. The destruction of human values

2. The topic of isolation- "There are too many of us, he thought. There are billions of us and that's too many. Nobody knows anyone." (Bradbury 14)

4. Both use fear and diversion

Differences:

1. Complacency vs. Fear

2. Book burning is the main controlling aspect

Similarities between the societies in

The Matrix and 1984:

1. Striving for complete control of the mind

2. People enjoy very few luxuries (tasteless food, no sex)

3. The monitoring system

And Differences...

1. It is easy to tell in the Matrix who the "bad guys" are because they are either machines or programs, but the "thought police" in 1984 are just regular people.

Similarities between V for Vendetta and 1984:

1. The "Big Brother" figure and a ruling party

2. The secret police

3. The goal of the government

4. The government's use of slogans and posters "What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. This message must be read in every newspaper, heard on every radio, seen on every television. This message must resound throughout the entire Interlink! I want this country to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want every man, woman and child to understand how close we are to chaos. I want everyone to remember why they need us!"

Differences between V for Vendetta and 1984:

1. The extent to which the government uses surveillance

2. The actions of the secret police

3. V for Vendetta is invoking religion and spirituality with its posters, whereas the party is against that

“Winston turned a switch and the voice sank somewhat, though the words were still distinguishable. The instrument (the telescreen it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely.” (Orwell 2)

What do they all have in common?

Each author and director portrayed totalitarianism differently, however all of them contain warnings of what

might happen if the government

becomes too powerful. Each society is trying to avoid any sort of rebellion from the people.

Works Cited:

http://www.dictionary.reference.com

http://www.shmoop.com/1984

www.newworldencyclopedia.org

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/totalitarianism/media.html

http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/totalitarianism

www.enotes.com/1984

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/

Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper Perenial, 1969.

Orwell, George. 1984. New York: Harcourt, 1949

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Ballantine, 1953

Modern films have also

incorporated totalitarian

societies

TOTALITARIANISM

IN 1984

George Orwell's

As compared to other novels and films...

TOTALITARIANISM IN 1984

The "Party" does the following to keep control of the people:

Plants telescreens everywhere to monitor people

Enforces group exercises

Elliminates the importance of the individual

Control people's desires by making food rations

"Bad news is coming..." (Orwell 26)

Raises kids to love the government

"Nearly all children.." (Orwell 24)

Frowns upon any sort of sexual intercourse outside of marriage

Rebellious people are completely “removed” or “vaporized” from society

"People simply disappeared.." (Orwell 19)

Novels such as "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley and "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury also deal with totalitarian societies.

Similarities between the societies in Brave New World and 1984:

1. The use of technology to control the people

2. Controlling the past

3. New, more simplified language

4. Motto's: "Community, Identity, Stability" (Huxley 1) and "War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength" (Orwell 4)

How did the authors Huxley and

Bradbury portray totalitarianism differently

than George Orwell in 1984?