Brave New World And 1984 Comparison Essay

In 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, both authors convey a warning to society about allowing governments to have too much power and control over their people. In 1984, the Party controls Oceania and practically brainwashes its people through means such as the telescreens. On the other hand, in Brave New World, the government controls its people through conditioning from birth and soma in order to make everyone oblivious to the government’s control. In both novels, the protagonists struggle against their governments, but Winston, from 1984, loses his individuality, whereas John, from Brave New World, manages to remain true to himself and not lose his individuality. In 1984, Oceania is controlled by the Party, which

Winston’s first act of rebellion is when he writes in a journal, which is illegal because it involves thoughtcrime. Later in the novel, Winston has an affair with Julia as another act of rebellion because the Party only wants people to have relationships for reproduction. Winston’s most significant act of rebellion is when he believes he joins the Brotherhood: “... a vast shadowy army, an underground network of conspirators dedicated to the overthrow of the State”(Orwell 13). Because Winston joins the Brotherhood, he agrees to do whatever the Brotherhood ask of him, which includes giving up his life, committing murder, and much more. Since Winston joins the Brotherhood, it shows that he is fully devoted to rebelling against the Party. But, later in the novel, O’Brien betrays Winston because O’Brien pretends to be part of the Brotherhood, when O’Brien actually works for the Party. Winston gets tortured to his breaking point. While Winston is being tortured, he betrays Julia and loses all of his individuality. Winston fails because he gives in to the dominant Party, and he does not retain any of his individuality. For example, at the end of the novel, the narrator says, “[Winston] [loves] Big Brother” (Orwell 298). This shows that the Party has complete control over Winston and he is like all of the other people in Oceania. If a government acquires too much power and