It becomes nearly impossible for people to question the Party’s power in the present when they accept what the Party tells them about the past—that the Party arose to protect them from bloated, oppressive capitalists, and that the world was far uglier and harsher before the Party came to power. Winston vaguely understands this principle. He struggles to recover his own memories and formulate a larger picture of what has happened to the world. Winston buys a paperweight in an antique store in the prole district that comes to symbolize his attempt to reconnect with the past. Symbolically, when the Thought Police arrest Winston at last, the paperweight shatters on the floor.
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”.
How is conflict explored by Orwell in 1984 and what impact does it have on the reader. The book, 1984 is written by George Orwell, it is about the conflict between Winston Smith and Big Brother; and the conflict between the two ideas, democracy and totalitarianism. Orwell wrote the novel to show society what it could become if things kept getting worse he identified of the expansion of communism when he wrote the novel. The conflict between democracy and totalitarianism created two characters, Winston Smith and Big Brother, in Orwell’s mind. Big Brother is the example of all the ideals of the totalitarian party.
Since resources are scarce, humankind is naturally competitive, inevitably creating jealousy and hatred, which eventually leads to war. This constant state of war is what Hobbes believes to be man’s original state of nature. According to Hobbes, man cannot be trusted in the state of nature. Limits must be put on freedom and inalienable rights. Hobbs believed that if man had complete freedom it would result in chaos.
Specifically, Orwell saw such developments during his time in Spain and in Russia, where he witnessed the rise of communism and the accompanying destruction of civil liberties, honest government, and economic strength. During a time when much of the Western world was lauding communism as a step towards human progress in the development of equality in government, Orwell clearly and definitively spoke out against the practice. In 1984, Orwell presents a dystopia, or in other words, the perfect totalitarian state. In composing this novel, Orwell gave the world a glimpse of what the embrace of communism might lead to if allowed to proceed unchecked. The Party is unflawed in its universal control over society, as evidenced by its ability to break even an independent thinker such as Winston, and has mastered every aspect of psychological control, largely through utilizing technological developments (allowing for inventions such as the telescreen) to their advantage.
33 Quote 8: "'Who controls the past', ran the Party slogan, 'controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.'" Part 1, Chapter 3, pg. 37 Quote 9: "Comrade Ogilvy, who had never existed in the present, now existed in the past, and when once the act of forgery was forgotten, he would exist just as authentically, and upon the same evidence, as Charlemagne or Julius Caesar." Part 1, Chapter 4, pg. 50 Quote 10: "Your worst enemy, he reflected, was your own nervous system.
No one can control this loss of freedom. People are born and rights and freedoms are instantly lost. Even though Aldous Huxley’s story, Brave New World and George Orwell’s story 1984 portrayed different predictions of what society could be in the future both stories shared a common loss of freedom of their people because of restrictions, the governments overstepping power, and brainwashing techniques. In both stories there was evidence of restrictions that lead to the loss of freedom of the people in their societies. One of the main pieces of evidence in George Orwell’s novel 1984 was the use of constant surveillance of their people with telescreens and spies.
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. Orwell conversely reflects upon the rise of Communism and Fascism in Europe, warning against despotic governments. Orwell wrote the novel 1984, post-World War 2 and equally reflects upon the rise of communism and fascism in Europe, warning
Who are the composers of the texts? 1984 – George Orwell The Matrix - Andy and Larry Wachowski When were the texts composed? 1984 – First published in 1948 The Matrix – Released 1999 George Orwell – Biography and Influences George Orwell uses 1984 to publicise the danger of political authority and the dangers of a totalitarian society. Orwell had witnessed this in countries such as Spain, the Soviet Union and Germany as a result of the age of advancing technology. 1984 remains as one of the most powerful sources of warnings issued against totalitarian societies.
"V" has many complex and interesting sides to his character or shall we say archetype. See “V” is constant display of rebellion performances, his lack of respect for the current government system. Also, whether or not he is freedom is apparent, and his actions of undermining, destruction and murder have a reason, a connection, and a purpose. But what are they? You might ask, Evey sees no hope or chance at freedom or shall I say opportunities for the future and "V" gives her this hope, a feeling that it is possible, a change and that freedom can be accomplished.