Comparison Between 1984 'And Metropolis'

1077 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The dangers of totalitarianism 1984 by George Orwell

Both Metropolis and 1984 are didactic texts that reflect the paradigmatic concerns of their time through their shared narrative of oppression and social manipulation by a totalitarian state, desperate to sustain and perpetuate their power. Fritz Lang’s expressionist film Metropolis (1927) reflects the anxieties and discontent about socio-economic inequity in the Weimar Republic of Germany following World War 1. While George Orwell, through his novel 1984, offers a “dark vision of totalitarian modernity” (William H. Rehnquist) and it’s potential corruption of the world by reflecting the post-WWII fear of political extremism as tested by Hitler and Stalin to create their own oppressive dictatorships. 

Citizens of totalitarian states are oppressed in order for an elite minority to gain ultimate power and control.
In Metropolis Fritz Lang exposes the fear of political extremism during his time, as Joh Fredersen keeps the workers in a perpetual state of oppression and denies their humanity so they have neither the will nor ability to rebel. …show more content…

In 1984 Big Brother keeps the people of Oceania in a perpetual state of war and poverty and consequently oppression so they have neither the will nor ability to rebel. This perpetual state is initially framed in Oceania’s architecture of repression: “Vistas of rotting nineteenth-century houses” juxtaposed with “The Ministry of Truth…towered vast and white above the grimy landscape”. The poverty and oppression of the citizens of Oceania is crucial in order for the oligarchy to perpetuate their power as “an all-round increase in wealth threatened the destruction of a hierarchical society” as those “who are normally stupefied by poverty would become literate and would learn to think for themselves”.

Show More
Related

  • How Does Big Brother's Power To Decide What Is Real

    504 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the book “1984” by George Orwell, Big Brother has the power to decide what is real and what is not. The citizens of Oceania are told not to use their own knowledge to gather facts or information, but to get their information from Big Brother, and the party. This show that the party has great control over its citizens. Big Brother’s power can decide what is real and what is not.

    Read More

  • The Nature Of Conformity In George Orwell's 1984

    1070 Words  | 3 Pages

    1984 takes place in an alternate-reality future where after World War 2, the world was divided into three main nations: Eastasia, Eurasia, and the super-country, Oceania. The book is set in Oceania in the year 1984, in the city of London, Airstrip One. Oceania is in a constant state of war against the two other countries, with bombings occurring daily and the living conditions extremely poor – very little food, very little clothing, and broken down housing. The Party rules over Oceania, with telescreens in almost every room that monitor every move a person makes, as well as anything they say. Posters hang everywhere with the phrase – BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.

    Read More

  • Comparing Metropolis And The Time Machine

    449 Words  | 1 Pages

    Metropolis is a silent film written by Thea Von Harbou in 1927, and directed by Fritz Lang. This film was very significant for its time. Although it had very mixed reviews by critics, it pioneered the work of the science fiction genre. The film also gained recognition by political leaders, such as Adolf Hitler, for recognizing the divides between the working class and the aristocracy. The divide between the working class and the aristocracy was the most significant idea I took away from this silent film.

    Read More

  • Quotes On Deception In 1984

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    Deception and a blatant contradiction of facts in the spirit of impunity form the foundation of the construct of modern dictatorship and draconian governance. Leaders with this attitude treat the public office and nation as personal property and deploy the state resources at their disposal for selfish use. Their behavior takes the form of frivolous “surveillances, monitoring, and other control structures founded on lies and ambiguities” (Dean and Orwell 23). The same scenario is exactly what happens at Oceania. The nation is governed by the party headed by the big brother (“Gordon State College” n.p.).

    Read More

  • Fahrenheit 451 And 1984 - The Fear Of Utopia

    1240 Words  | 3 Pages

    Several conflicting frames of mind have played defining roles in shaping humanity throughout the twentieth century. Philosophical optimism of a bright future held by humanity in general was taken advantage of by the promise of a better life through sacrifice of individuality to the state. In the books Brave New World, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 clear opposition to these subtle entrapments was voiced in similarly convincing ways. They first all established, to varying degrees of balance, the atmosphere and seductiveness of the “utopia” and the fear of the consequences of acting in the non-prescribed way through character development. A single character is alienated because of their inability to conform – often in protest to the forced conditions of happiness and well being. Their struggle is to hide this fact from the state’s relentless supervision of (supposedly) everything. This leads them to eventually come into conflict with some hand of the state which serves as the authors voice presenting the reader with the ‘absurdity’ of the principles on which the society is based. The similar fear of the state’s abuse of power and technology at the expense of human individuality present within these novels speaks to the relevance of these novels within their historical context and their usefulness for awakening people to the horrendous consequences of their ignorance.

    Read More

  • Differences and Similarities Between V for Vendetta and 1984

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Comparing 1984 And Divergent

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Essay On Lack Of Privacy In 1984

    1567 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Brainwashing of Constituents in George Orwell's "1984"

    3231 Words  | 7 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Analysis of George Orwell's 1984

    4217 Words  | 9 Pages

    The fictional world of 1984 is best described as bleak. In the aftermath of the fall of capitalism and nuclear war, the world has been divided among three practically identical totalitarian nation-states. The novel takes place in London, which has become a part of Oceania, the nation state comprising the Americas and western Europe. A state of perpetual war and poverty is the rule in Oceania. However, this is merely a backdrop, far from the most terrifying aspect of life in 1984. Oceania is governed by a totalitarian bureaucracy, personified in the image of Big Brother, the all-knowing/ all-seeing godlike figure that represents the government. Big Brother is best described as a "totalitarian socialist dictator, a political demagogue and religious cult leader all rolled into one." So great is the power of Big Brother that the reader is unsure whether he actually exists or is simply a propaganda tool of the government. The party of Big Brother, Ingsoc (English Social...

    Read More

  • 1984 Dehumanization Analysis

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1984, George Orwell presents an overly controlled society that is run by Big Brother. The protagonist, Winston, attempts to “stay human” in the face of a dehumanizing, totalitarian regime. Big Brother possesses so much control over these people that even the most natural thoughts such as love and sex are considered taboo and are punishable. Big Brother has taken this society and turned each individual against one another. Parents distrust their own offspring, husband and wife turn on one another, and some people turn on their own selves entirely. The people of Oceania become brainwashed by Big Brother. Punishment for any uprising rebellions is punishable harshly.

    Read More

  • Marxist Criticism In The Film V For Vendetta

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    The 2006 film V for Vendetta, a cinematic remake of the classic graphic novel series by the same name, is the epitome of a Marxist fairy tale. The film is complete with a bourgeoisie government who spreads their ideology, via mass media, to a citizenry composed entirely of proletariats, and a hero who sets out to break said citizenry from the prison of false consciousness. If one examines the setting and environment of the film, and follows the main characters as they fight against, or break free from, false consciousness, evidence of Marxist themes are present throughout the film.

    Read More

  • Comparison of Metropolis and Blade Runner

    1551 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ruppert, Peter. “Technology and the Constructions of Gender in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis.” (2000) [Accessed 18 December 2012]

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Thomas Hart Benton's The Triumph Of The Will

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    Totalitarianism in the arts of Nazi-Germany portray. The most famous piece of propaganda in support of Nazi-Germany is The Triumph of the Will, directed by Leni Riefenstahl. In the context of Nazi-Germany, Triumph of the Will seems to reflect well its totalitarian upbringings: it concentrates its focus in support for Hitler through bold camera angles and symmetrical images (Fiero 423). Riefenstahl’s use of physical gaps and hierarchical distinction between leader and followers are just two of the aspects of the film that set it apart from other documentaries of the time. Triumph of the Will was monumental in that it was one of the first observational documentaries showing events like parades, mass assemblies, images of Hitler, and speeches that are occurring as if the camera was recording the natural unfolding of the events—unaffected by the presence of a camera or not. There is no spoken commentary, only speeches by Hitler and other Nazi leaders, and this is how it differs from propaganda and documentary film. These techniques are introduced and brought together by Riefenstahl in response to a need specific to her time period: that of creating support political conformity. We may be averted to the subject, we approach Riefenstahl’s documentary with an intrigue for her ability to

    Read More

  • Identity in 1984

    2487 Words  | 5 Pages

    Identity, in today’s society, is often taken for granted. We have the ability to be anything we wish to be and act in any way we wish to act, but in the novel 1984 by George Orwell, identity is not taken for granted because it does not exist at all. Winston Smith, the narrator, lives in a dystopian society based on the idea of totalitarian government rule. This government is known as Big Brother. In order for Big Brother to stay in power, a few things are necessary: identity cannot exist; everything and everyone must be uniform; the past must be controlled in order to regulate the present; and the people must constantly be practicing the ideas of Newspeak and Doublethink, a form of control the government holds over the people. By enforcing these simple laws and regulations, the government is able to keep a tight grip on its people, with few ever releasing themselves from its grasp. Winston Smith on the other hand, seeks to know the truth behind the government, he is constantly questioning everything and repressing all the ideas forced upon him. Winston “seeks truth and sanity, his only resources being the long denied and repressed processes of selfhood” (Feder 398). All identity is gone in this place called Oceania, and for the sake of Big Brother and its continuous control of the people, it will never exist again. In 1984, the absence of identity strips the people of all creativity and diversity, as well as takes away any chance the society has to advance as a people or in the area of technology.

    Read More

More about Comparison Between 1984 'And Metropolis'

Open Document