The overlying political and ideological concepts in 1984, written by George Orwell, and V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue, are becoming more relevant in today’s society. Orwell and McTeigue are able to connect with the experiences, ideas, values and beliefs of their readers when exploring different aspects of human degradation due to the unjust, socially inequitable practices in their texts. These connections are created through the exploration of issues associated with justice, freedom and civil liberties, the abuse of technology and the demonization of the enemy.
As a progressive society in the twenty first century, issues associated with justice, freedom and civil liberties are viewed with a much more open mind than what is demonstrated
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In V for vendetta, citizens are constantly being listened into by the government, which V addresses when he mentions “...Where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission.” Likewise, citizens of Oceania are watched 24/7 with the use of telescreens, which recognise facial expression; clear in the slogan “Big Brother is Watching You”. Both societies have come to accept the lowest common denominator of a complete invasion of privacy. Self-respect is non-existent within these societies, as they don’t resist this abhorrent way of living. Orwell and McTeigue are able to connect with the experiences, ideas, values and beliefs of their readers, as they provide a sense of what it’s like to be constantly observed, as if these people were like animals in a zoo and not human beings. Although this is true for both of them, Orwell inflicts a more intense paranoia on the readers. He creates this by making reader’s question whether or not society really can shut off the TV, computer or smart phone completely; is everyone constantly being watched through webcams? Is the government spying on its …show more content…
In Oceania, the perpetual war with Eurasia, creates a nemesis and out of the Mongolians as well as victims of hate, which is apparent when Winston states “…their sad Mongolian faces gazed out over the sides of the trucks utterly incurious…truck-load after truck-load of the sad faces passed.” Is there a real war occurring, or are the Mongolians just a convenient face to put on enemies of the state? The demonisation of Eurasia degrades the citizens of Oceania by making them feel weak and creating a need for protection and therefore Big Brother. Society generates a feeling of low self-worth by succumbing to the propaganda that which makes them doubt their own strength. Similarly, in V for Vendetta, the government demonises religion, homosexuality and immigrants, all of which are punishable by death. These minority groups accept the demonisation, which makes them feel as if they are second-class citizens and are not valued in society. Once others stop respecting them, they stop respecting themselves. Orwell and McTeigue are able to connect with the experiences, ideas, values and beliefs of their readers, as the demonising of religion and sexuality is a common issue in today’s society and the readers can empathise with the discrimination. This connection occurs especially in V for Vendetta when Evey reads Valerie’s letter that said, “I still
The book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and the movie V for Vendetta both take place in a dystopian future. Each one very different, but similar dystopian societies with many similar aspects such as luring citizens into false happiness, censoring citizens from different forms of literature, and characters who can really see behind the government’s façade and tell what is wrong with society. Similarity between the two ranges from meek things such as a similar setting with both societies residing in London, or more intricate things like similarities between the governments. Since the beginning of mankind humans have long since craved for a feeling of belonging and to be a part of something. Over the long history of mankind this same feeling has led to the growth of civilizations and societies. Eventually leading up to modern day societies with governments such as republics, dictatorships, and democracies. Each with its own different ways of
The ability to make a difference is itself a difference between these fictional worlds. Orwell’s government is a self-perpetuating machine, and the steps are already in place to ensure its continued existence no matter who is in charge or what the political climate becomes; there is no single head that can be severed from a seat of power to disable or cripple that government. Winston and Julia try to be more than just victims of their environment but ultimately fail, because one person, two people, or even a revolution cannot undo the system. Society’s participation in that government is marginalized to the point that it makes no difference who opposes it. In contrast, Moore’s fascist state is run by a single man atop the pyramid of power, and when he is toppled, there is no one in a clear position to assume control. Evey and V are successful in their opposition, because in the world of V for Vendetta, one man can make a difference, even if that difference is only to serve as an inspiration for others to make their own differences.
The approach towards freedom is hard to achieve against a totalitarian government, but possible to win with the people’s belief. 1984 by George Orwell and James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta portrays the same idealism of the anti-heroes, Winston and V. An anti-hero is “a protagonist who lacks the attributes that make a heroic figure, as nobility of mind and spirit, a life or attitude marked by action or purpose” (“Antihero”). Winston is not courageous, peaceful, and self-centered along the path of freedom for Oceania, whereas the anti-hero, V, is violent in his actions, impatient and careless in his pursuit to free London from the totalitarian government. As a matter of fact, V and Winston have the opposite behaviours; this is significant because it helps to compare the approach of the anti-heroes toward freedom. At the end of 1984 and V for Vendetta, the result of their approach is different from each other; Winston gives up on the liberation of Oceania, while V dies knowing that London is freed from Norsefire Party.
In 1984, children are exposed to depravation by government ideals, and are taught to expose all insurgence. In Vendetta, children are born into a media-corrupted world, unknowing of deprivation by lacking exposure. These negate the modern belief that children learn beliefs and ideas unbiasedly. Without communication, relationships in 1984 are restricted, thereby maturation is controlled. To mature, Winston used a diary, visited illegal places and engaged in an illegal relationship to grow his confidence in his experiences. In Vendetta, people do not mature intellectually, attributable to controlled communication. V matures his character through illegal practices; by murdering for liberation, and engaging in a relationship with Evey Hammond. In 1984, relationships between people are forced for procreation, or are amicable to government ideals. Winston's desperation for emotion and connection lead him to engage with Julia, who assists Winston’s psychological insurgency. V serendipitously encountered Evey, who dependently aids V’s emotional understanding of a civilian's perspective of his actions. Both females helped mature the protagonists’ critical life experiences, analogously with modern human values to support and love others. The evaluative question, ‘what is the good life?’ is evaluated in 1984, with Winston’s perspective being nonsynthetic food, freedom, real history and the ability of expression. Similarly in Vendetta, V convincingly claimed that society too often, “Appreciate the comforts of everyday routine, the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition”, thus indicating ignorance of governmental corruption. 1984 Londoners are ashen ascribable to the permanent presence of dust, providing an atmosphere of inevitability, where dust asphyxiates Winston's spirit. Working 60 hour weeks and earning little
The dystopian novel “1984” and the movie “V for Vendetta”, share a variety of differences and similarities. Both have a totalitarian government in which they have absolute power over politics, religion and human rights. Extensive speech, critical thinking, thoughtful writing, and voice of opinion has either been restricted or limited in 1984’s Oceania and V for Vendetta’s future London. The protagonists in both novels and films have “resisted” their government. However, the methods used to employ their “rebellion” are quite different.
In dystopian literature, the future of society and humanity is presented in a negative standpoint. Utopian works frequently illustrate a future in which the everyday lives of human beings is often improved by technology to advance civilization, while dystopian works offer an opposite outlook. Examples of dystopian characteristics include an oppressive government, a protagonist, and character nature. Although the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and the film V for Vendetta directed by James McTeigue display different perspectives of a dystopian society, both share similar dystopian characteristics, which include a government who asserts power over citizens, a protagonist who questions society, and characters who are isolated from the natural world.
In the novel 1984 and the film “V for Vendetta”, the protagonist for both stories are captured while performing various acts of rebellion against the totalitarian government, of which is controlling their city. In punishment, the government tortures them with harsh, inhumane methods that are similar to those used in dictatorships during the 1900s like the USSR under Stalin’s rule. However, both protagonists are tortured by different sides, and by people from completely opposite ends of the political ladder: one a government agent, the other a rebel. Although the themes disclosed in relation to the purpose and meanings of torture are similar, the overall message and final opinion that is expressed and conveyed to the recipients are complete opposites.
V for Vendetta is a graphic novel written by Allan Moore. It is a story full of comedy with V as the protagonist who is out to fight and destroy the government and affects innocent people. The novel was later adapted into a film and directed by James McTeigue and written by Wachowski Brothers.
The movie and the book are different in many ways but at the same time they have a lot of things in common, the movie doesn't have as much details as the book does but it is a very good movie. In the movie you can very easily see and understand what's going on being you are watching the whole thing with your eyes. The movie also shows you how the students have to fight each and everyday just so that they protect themselves in the streets, the streets is all they know because well they were born and raised in the streets so they learned all about it & are about it. In the movie you can clearly see the struggle they go through, and how the streets are & when they're in school. School is supposed to be a safe place for all kids.
A utopian society represents a perfect, idealistic civilization, while a dystopian society describes an unpleasant environment for the individuals living within it. George Orwell’s 1984 portrays many characteristics of a dystopian society. Very similarly, Veronica Roth’s Divergent tells the story of a government that forcefully separates and controls its citizens. 1984 and Divergent both share the presence of harsh regulation and control from their respective governments. Orwell and Roth’s novels compare Ministries and Factions, conformity and obedience, Proles and the Factionless, and government regulation, in a similar, yet negative way.
Orwell has real concerns about the way in which society worked, particular when considering hierarchies and the way the powerful manipulate information. As can be seen there is a strong hierarchy system in the novel 1984 with references to poor and wealthy classes, the proles being lower class and the inner party members being higher class. Orwell spent time in boarding school, wasn’t wealthy and saw disparity between people who had and hadn’t, there are many references towards headmaster and control “ When he spoke it was in a schoolmasterish kind of way” (3.5.297). Orwell also used Hitler’s actions as a leader and incorporated them into 1984; this is evident through the propaganda of Big Brother, dictatorship and the way the Inner party was able to manipulate society to change their beliefs. “The German Nazis and the communist came very close to us in their methods…” (3.3.276) Orwell’s values and beliefs about communism and democracy have strongly been developed through his trepidation in power and historical references to Hitler.
Ultimately, common ideas found in the novel 1984, totalitarianism, surveillance, and lack of privacy are also ubiquitous in modern society and government. Big Brother and modern day government have been able to control its citizens through surveillance equipment, and fear all for a little more power. There is much to learn from such an undesirable form of society much like the one of Oceania in 1984. Examining Big Brother government closely, alarming connections can be made to real-world government actions in the United States and the cruel world within Orwell's book.
These examples display the inevitable fact that all over the world subtle but significant events are taking place that appear to signify a shifting toward a totalitarian government, much like the one present in 1984. This is extremely disturbing because most people will agree that the life lived by the characters in 1984, is not one of any value. Though they are “protected” from several of the problems that many of the free world citizens and officials face, they have no control over their thoughts or actions. This leads to unbearable uniformity. It is chilling to know that though George Orwell’s book was written as fiction, portions of it are becoming factual.
After reading the book and watching the movie 1984 there were similarities and differences between the two. The novel is about manipulating people in believing in something that isn’t really there and about erasing history. Both the book and film focused on: authority, government, and war. The book and film follow the theme of conformity to control society.
In the novel 1984 by Orwell, an extremely controlling totalitarian government called The Party, rules the society. They have introduced Telescreens which monitor your every movement, conversations and any other action. The citizens of Oceania, located on Air Strip One, are psychologically manipulated to believe in the three main slogans of the party: ‘War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength’ (1948, Orwell). The citizens of Oceania are so brainwashed that they don’t question anything the party tells them or any new law they make. Thought crime occurs when someone does not fully agree and follow what the Party has said. People who commit crimes become unpersons; therefore, they stop existing, and any record of their existence is erased or they can be sent to the ministry of truth, where The Party will try to break them, and force them to love Big Brother. This is very relevant because in order to serve justice which according to them is having everyone love the Party and nothing else, everyone else must be eliminated or brainwashed. The use of technology in this novel is very important because it is the main way in which justice is carried out. Telescreens, microphones and cameras cover the whole nation. Every conversation is recorded and every action is taken note of. The government will make anything to keep their power.