Compare and Contrast Themes of Brave New World and 1984
Science Fiction Essay
Two classic novels, 1984 written by George Orwell and Brave New World penned by Aldous Huxley both possess similar topics and themes. In both novels societies are striving for a utopia, or a perfect society. These novels also take place in societies with versions of totalitarian governments, which is a government that rules by coercion. Not only are the topics similar, but in both novels a rebellious character is the protagonist; Winston Smith from 1984 and John the Savage in Brave New World. Another parallel in the books are the tactics that the government uses to instill fear and power over the citizens. A common theme expressed in Orwell’s novel 1984 and Huxley’s novel Brave New World is that government uses technology to control society by outlawing individuality, controlling knowledge, and abolishing any emotion.
An occurrence in both Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World is outlawing individuality. In Orwell’s compelling novel 1984 a method of the government controlling its citizens by a means of technology is the way the government outlaws individuality. In 1984 a phrase always looms over the citizen’s heads “Big Brother Is Watching You” (Orwell 2). This ever present phrase instills fear among the people which reinforces that in their society Oceania there is always someone watching which prevents individuality. A main instrument of technology that stops independence is Orwell’s creation known as the telescreen. The telescreen is a television that broadcasts updates on the war, news on the Party, and exercise. Reader’s witness the power of this item when the main character is slacking on his exercise and is called out across the telescreen station. The controlling factor of disallowing individuality is that it prevents rebellion because without another’s consent you will not progress.
A similar presence of the outlawing of individuality is common throughout Brave New World. A piece of technology in this novel that prevents this
Two classic novels, 1984 written by George Orwell and Brave New World penned by Aldous Huxley both possess similar topics and themes. In both novels societies are striving for a utopia, or a perfect society. These novels also take place in societies with versions of totalitarian governments, which is a government that rules by coercion. Not only are the topics similar, but in both novels a rebellious character is the protagonist; Winston Smith from 1984 and John the Savage in Brave New World. Another parallel in the books are the tactics that the government uses to instill fear and power over the citizens. A common theme expressed in Orwell’s novel 1984 and Huxley’s novel Brave New World is that government uses technology to control society by outlawing individuality, controlling knowledge, and abolishing any emotion.
An occurrence in both Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World is outlawing individuality. In Orwell’s compelling novel 1984 a method of the government controlling its citizens by a means of technology is the way the government outlaws individuality. In 1984 a phrase always looms over the citizen’s heads “Big Brother Is Watching You” (Orwell 2). This ever present phrase instills fear among the people which reinforces that in their society Oceania there is always someone watching which prevents individuality. A main instrument of technology that stops independence is Orwell’s creation known as the telescreen. The telescreen is a television that broadcasts updates on the war, news on the Party, and exercise. Reader’s witness the power of this item when the main character is slacking on his exercise and is called out across the telescreen station. The controlling factor of disallowing individuality is that it prevents rebellion because without another’s consent you will not progress.
A similar presence of the outlawing of individuality is common throughout Brave New World. A piece of technology in this novel that prevents this
Cited: Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006. Orwell, George. 1984. New York: Signet Classics, 1977.