Generally, Utopian and Dystopian texts explore the contextual social and political structures and are usually set in the future, the two provided texts are no exception. In 1984 by George Orwell, the composer is relating ideas in the novel to their ideals of society through revealing the faults of a totalitarian civilisation. The Matrix by the Wachowski brothers is very much inspired by social contextual events, and relates heavily to the composer’s own personal experiences during the Y2K crisis. The composers relate their respective texts to the contextual concerns of society through futuristic predictions of a totalitarian hierarchy and the downfall of mankind. 1984 was written by Orwell as a warning to the world as he saw it, he opposed totalitarianism in all it’s forms and, on one occasion said “I believe that totalitarianism, if not fought against, could triumph again”.
For example, if a lower class man and woman have a child then their child would not be able to rise form the lower class. The major experiments to prove biological determinism are Twin Studies. Psychologist separate twins at birth and then see how their behaviors are similar and claim that their biological predisposition or strong genetic component causes their behaviors to be similar and prove that genetics is the only factor that affects behavior and not the environment. On the other hand, B.F. Skinner, in his book “Beyond Freedom and Dignity”, stated that all behavior is fully governed by external stimuli and concluded that free will is an illusion. Also, John B. Watson argued that behavior is governed primarily by the environment.
These dictatorships inspired Orwell’s growing abhorrence of totalitarianism. 1984 is a political novel with, as mentioned above, the purpose of warning readers of the threats of totalitarian governments. Orwell does this through the portrayal of the perfect totalitarian society: the most extreme recognition of a modern-day government with utter power. The party uses a number of methods to control its citizens: psychological influence, physical control, control of history, technology, language as
In dystopian society, technology, social manipulation, and control are all factors used to maintain oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society, even at the expense of universal human values. The film Metropolis by Fritz Lang and the novel 1984 by George Orwell offer a variety of social and political perspectives that allow the audience to gain insight into the oppression of freedom, truth and love within their context. Both address loss of these values within society through control and oppression, but they differ in perspective, due to the contrasting views of each composer. Lang made Metropolis during the era of the Weimar Republic. This was the country's first attempt at creating a democracy in the very difficult years following the first world war, as he tapped into Germany's power struggles, issues of poverty and conflict.
1984 remains as one of the most powerful sources of warnings issued against totalitarian societies. George Orwell aims to portray the worst human society, a dystopia. The negative utopian form is used to convince readers to avoid any actions similar to this that could lead to a reaction as shown in the novel. 1984 is one of the most famous novels of the negative utopian, or dystopian, genre. When 1984 was composed, a society that was monitored seemed possible, as it was the dawn of the nuclear age, before the television became a common appliance found in homes.
To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength” (pg 28). Since s real man shows no affection Okonkwo can’t seem to show his love to others. He knows nothing else but to beat, yell, and insult others he uses these actions to show his love towards others. Which makes it difficult for others and him to have any sort of relationship with him, because you live in only fear; if he’s mad he beats you and if he’s happy he still beats you. It’s difficult to build any feeling to even form a relationship with a person who is impossible to ever feel and express positive emotion.
Instead society chooses to idolize people from the Jersey Shore, who live a foolish selfish lifestyle. They do many things such as party and drink but they never accomplish anything with this lifestyle. I personally think this exemplifies the difference between motion and action. Action occurs when one strives to better the world around
Though Phillip Gomes’ paper focuses on science-fiction films he makes a good point with his view on consensus. Consensus is the way in which society as a whole believes things should be. Those who choose not to take part in what society believes is the correct way to act they are considered outsiders and non-conformists. In both Bell, Book, and Candle and Practical Magic marriage as a way of conforming are a major part of their plots. In Peter Biskind’s mind the ultimate form of conformity was to get married.
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life:” — Mohammed Ali 12. “Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.” Michael Jordan 13. “I have failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan 14. “There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” — Mother Teresa 15. “It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.” — Hellen Keller 16.
The reader gets a very straight idea that Winston’s life was very difficult and that there was no such thing as freedom. We can see that when it says “there was no way of shutting it of completely” when making reference to the telescreen. The paragraphs are filled with long descriptive sentence, which gives a low pace to the extract thus enhancing the agonizing and painful life that Winston had to tolerate. Secondly, by analyzing the content of the extract, we can strongly see Orwell’s purpose: to demonstrate how terrifying it would be to live in a totalitarian society, where there is no such thing as liberty, autonomy and freedom. Orwell makes his intention clear by using the caption “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” and by stating “it was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move.” When reading this, the reader is instantly filled with a sense of suffocation.