1984 Compare And Contrast Essay
As Americans, we live with a dominant economic structure and a continuous chain of democratic power; therefore, our country has a privileged and a developed economic system in comparison to numerous other countries. Each citizen of the United States has freedoms and rights—many people take for granted—which our nation’s regime has created. North Korea and Oceania—a fictional country in the book, 1984 by George Orwell—are both irreconcilable countries compared to America, and are each a totalitarian society. Both nations have extremely strict rules which many Americans would find highly concerning and may be absurd. A dystopian country, Oceania --in George Orwell’s book 1984-- portrays a similar society to North Korea’s which entails an overpowering regime like structure that
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obstructs citizen’s lives, thoughts, and actions.
Social hierarchy affects the lives of North Koreans and Oceanians regularly; whether they are of the lowest class or a dictator, class ranking can determine one’s fate. Big Brother controls Oceania’s people, and rules over the area--even though he has never been witnessed. The “point of the social pyramid” observes the public’s actions and they display their eyes on propaganda, including, “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU…” (Orwell 3). Kim Jong-Un, the dictator of North Korea, also monitors everyone’s lives and actions. The fictional character Big Brother and Kim Jong-Un are in complete control of the people and their countries. In Oceania, citizens under the jurisdiction of Big Brother are classified as one of the following: a member of the Inner or Outer Party or as a prole. Being a representative of the Party can overall boost one’s opportunities and accord power over others, including the proles (the working class). North Korea’s caste system is homogenous in ranking; however, North Koreans are labeled by their economic
and political knowledge. Songbun, the official name of their social hierarchy, also splits into three groups: the Core, the Wavering, and the Hostile. Underneath Kim Jong-Un lies the Core: a group made up of the best communists. Next, the Wavering class which entails those who need additional political education. Finally, those who are considered politically unredeemable are classified as one of the Wavering class. This caste system not only affects people’s personal lives, but it “…guarantees there is no level playing field in North Korea—politically, economically, or socially” (The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea 2). Overall, those in the base of the social pyramid in Oceania and North Korea do not receive the numerous opportunities and strength from power as those classified as a higher ranking of the class system.
Torture creates the ability for dictators and those with more power to gain an excessive amount of control which applies greatly to Oceania and North Korea. With abuse, one has the ability to take over. Whether one forces someone on command or inflicts pain as punishment, torture can affect a person's mental and/or physical state of being. Both of these country’s leaders use their original power to obtain even more control of the citizen’s lives. Big Brother of Oceania creates an image in everyone’s mind that when even a miniscule crime-- including thoughts and actions-- has been committed it will consequently lead to “...imprisonment without trial, the use of war prisoners as slaves, public executions, torture to extract confessions, the use of hostages, and the deportation of whole populations...” and this has “--not only became common again, but were tolerated and even defended” (Orwell 258). Abusing is like a game to some because “They wore them down by torture and solitude until they were despicable, cringing wretches, confessing whatever was put into their mouths, covering themselves with abuse, accusing and sheltering behind one another, whimpering for mercy” (Orwell 320). Comparing to the real world, North Korea has handed out numerous punishments. One recent example was a completely absurd decision decided by their regime. James Kirkup, from The Telegraph, states that North Korea jailed an American tourist for 15 years including forced labor. He initially attempted to steal a propaganda banner which from a government building. Other minor crimes result in medicine and food shortages, mistreatment from guards, and some attend detention facilities. In both situations the elite consumes the power of the weak, uses their control against the guilty, and become stronger from the suffering of others.
Throughout North Korea and Oceania, children are taught to hate a particular group of people on a daily basis. North Korean schools are currently teaching their students to despise Americans, and teaching them to believe it is like a game. Graphic pictures in “Kindergartens and child-care centers are decorated with animals holding grenades and machine guns. Cartoons show plucky squirrel soldiers (North Koreans) triumphing over the cunning wolves (Americans)” (Fifield). Oceania also creates a “game” for the children: teaching them to be savages and hunt down any criminal-- even their parents. Most of this hatred is completely out of proportion and “grossly exaggerated” (Fifield). Both countries believe what they do is best, and whatever the dictator or the higher class says should always be followed through by the people. This is an example of the leaders keeping their citizens under their control and teaching them to be reliable to their regime. Teaching kindergarteners and young children diurnally to loathe the “bad guys” keeps them under the dictator’s control.
A dystopian country, Oceania --in George Orwell’s book 1984-- portrays a similar society to North Korea’s which entails an overpowering regime like structure that obstructs citizen’s lives, thoughts, and actions. Harsh, absurd rules and few freedoms are placed in both of these societies. Resident’s actions and thoughts are monitored regularly by the higher class and dictators. On the other hand, Americans have multiple freedoms and fewer ludicrous directions to follow. Compared to other areas of the world or fictional nations, America is extremely privileged and we should be grateful for our current political position.
obstructs citizen’s lives, thoughts, and actions.
Social hierarchy affects the lives of North Koreans and Oceanians regularly; whether they are of the lowest class or a dictator, class ranking can determine one’s fate. Big Brother controls Oceania’s people, and rules over the area--even though he has never been witnessed. The “point of the social pyramid” observes the public’s actions and they display their eyes on propaganda, including, “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU…” (Orwell 3). Kim Jong-Un, the dictator of North Korea, also monitors everyone’s lives and actions. The fictional character Big Brother and Kim Jong-Un are in complete control of the people and their countries. In Oceania, citizens under the jurisdiction of Big Brother are classified as one of the following: a member of the Inner or Outer Party or as a prole. Being a representative of the Party can overall boost one’s opportunities and accord power over others, including the proles (the working class). North Korea’s caste system is homogenous in ranking; however, North Koreans are labeled by their economic
and political knowledge. Songbun, the official name of their social hierarchy, also splits into three groups: the Core, the Wavering, and the Hostile. Underneath Kim Jong-Un lies the Core: a group made up of the best communists. Next, the Wavering class which entails those who need additional political education. Finally, those who are considered politically unredeemable are classified as one of the Wavering class. This caste system not only affects people’s personal lives, but it “…guarantees there is no level playing field in North Korea—politically, economically, or socially” (The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea 2). Overall, those in the base of the social pyramid in Oceania and North Korea do not receive the numerous opportunities and strength from power as those classified as a higher ranking of the class system.
Torture creates the ability for dictators and those with more power to gain an excessive amount of control which applies greatly to Oceania and North Korea. With abuse, one has the ability to take over. Whether one forces someone on command or inflicts pain as punishment, torture can affect a person's mental and/or physical state of being. Both of these country’s leaders use their original power to obtain even more control of the citizen’s lives. Big Brother of Oceania creates an image in everyone’s mind that when even a miniscule crime-- including thoughts and actions-- has been committed it will consequently lead to “...imprisonment without trial, the use of war prisoners as slaves, public executions, torture to extract confessions, the use of hostages, and the deportation of whole populations...” and this has “--not only became common again, but were tolerated and even defended” (Orwell 258). Abusing is like a game to some because “They wore them down by torture and solitude until they were despicable, cringing wretches, confessing whatever was put into their mouths, covering themselves with abuse, accusing and sheltering behind one another, whimpering for mercy” (Orwell 320). Comparing to the real world, North Korea has handed out numerous punishments. One recent example was a completely absurd decision decided by their regime. James Kirkup, from The Telegraph, states that North Korea jailed an American tourist for 15 years including forced labor. He initially attempted to steal a propaganda banner which from a government building. Other minor crimes result in medicine and food shortages, mistreatment from guards, and some attend detention facilities. In both situations the elite consumes the power of the weak, uses their control against the guilty, and become stronger from the suffering of others.
Throughout North Korea and Oceania, children are taught to hate a particular group of people on a daily basis. North Korean schools are currently teaching their students to despise Americans, and teaching them to believe it is like a game. Graphic pictures in “Kindergartens and child-care centers are decorated with animals holding grenades and machine guns. Cartoons show plucky squirrel soldiers (North Koreans) triumphing over the cunning wolves (Americans)” (Fifield). Oceania also creates a “game” for the children: teaching them to be savages and hunt down any criminal-- even their parents. Most of this hatred is completely out of proportion and “grossly exaggerated” (Fifield). Both countries believe what they do is best, and whatever the dictator or the higher class says should always be followed through by the people. This is an example of the leaders keeping their citizens under their control and teaching them to be reliable to their regime. Teaching kindergarteners and young children diurnally to loathe the “bad guys” keeps them under the dictator’s control.
A dystopian country, Oceania --in George Orwell’s book 1984-- portrays a similar society to North Korea’s which entails an overpowering regime like structure that obstructs citizen’s lives, thoughts, and actions. Harsh, absurd rules and few freedoms are placed in both of these societies. Resident’s actions and thoughts are monitored regularly by the higher class and dictators. On the other hand, Americans have multiple freedoms and fewer ludicrous directions to follow. Compared to other areas of the world or fictional nations, America is extremely privileged and we should be grateful for our current political position.