Connection Between Fahrenheit 451, Antigone, and Socialism

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Corruption of communist ideologies is seen all over the world, including in literature. From Creon’s role as the dictator in Antigone to the government brainwashing citizens in Fahrenheit 451 to modern day failures of communist ideologies, all three show a correlation in leadership techniques. Jose Marti once said that “the first duty of a man is to think for himself,” and in these three pieces of literature and culture, it is demonstrated how independent thinking and free will is eliminated under the rule of a socialist nation.
In Antigone by Sophecles, Creon is a powerful dictator in Thebes and controls Antigone by abusing his power to tell her what she can do. He is able to instill fear in those who are beneath him as he uses corrupt government ideals and abuses his power. When Antigone quarrels with Creon in regards to burying her brother properly, Creon refuses to listen, as he says, “no woman shall be the master while [he lives]” (Sophecles I, ii). By refusing to listen to anyone and making his own decisions, Creon asserts his hierarchy and marks his place as the dictator; he will not allow anyone else to make their own decisions. Having power Creon does instills fear in others and causes them to treat him with the upmost respect. Because Creon is the only leader with total power, he refuses to “take [his] orders from the people of Thebes” (I, iii). When one is ranked highest in society, he or she cannot be punished. Thus, Creon is able to justify abusing his powers. Overuse of power is also seen in modern-day collectivism throughout leadership methods used to control a group of people.

Many totalitarian leaders are known to censor citizens in their countries and force them to believe that they are good. Perhaps one of the biggest failures of communist ideology includes the elimination of motivation. If all people are equal, regardless of the effort
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