1984 comparative essay

• World School

1984 versus Fahrenheit 451 – a comparison

by Theodora · Published November 26, 2013 · Updated November 2, 2015

1984 was published by George Orwell, or Eric Blair, in 1948. Fahrenheit 451 was published in 1951 by Ray Bradbury. Both are works of dystopian fiction, though of a somewhat different nature. In this essay, I hope to illustrate the differences and similarities between the two novels.

One of the most glaring similarities, perhaps, is the character development arc. Both main characters, at the start, lead meaningless, bland lives; one day, a girl (or woman) appears, changing them forever; they rebel completely against their society, but eventually they calm down.

However, the character of Guy Montag ( Fahrenheit 451 ) ultimately triumphs – he evades the government, finds peace in a community of like-minded people, and escapes destruction in the nuclear war. Winston Smith, on the other hand, fails and eventually submits to brainwashing.

While the theme of a government which alters history is present in both of said books, the alteration is much more in the foreground of 1984 than it is in Fahrenheit 451 , and it is used extensively to indicate the nature of the regime itself.

This is shown in the way Orwell transitions from a war with Eurasia, changing suddenly to a war with Eastasia halfway through, to an ending of: “Oceania was at war with Eurasia: Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia”.

The role of Smith in the vast machine of the party is similar to that of the “Fireman” Guy Montag in that he frequently alters writing (as incineration is also a form of alteration) to suit the needs of those in power. However, the figures IN power are fundamentally different.

For example, while both of the books involve war as a background, the nature of war in 1984 is fundamentally different from that of Fahrenheit 451 , as Orwell’s concept of war is that of a tool for the perpetuation of scarcity and paranoia, while Bradbury’s is all-out total annihilation.

Furthermore, the government in 1984 relies largely on brainwashing and totalitarian policies that involve mass surveillance and spies, with organisations, namely the Spies and the Youth League, similar to the Hitler Youth: “’You’re a traitor!’ yelled the boy”. In short, the Party cares for the thought, not the act.

In contrast, Bradbury’s government keeps tabs on all those who deviate from the majority, but does not care too much about thoughts of rebellion. It prefers to use television to numb the minds of the population and it will gladly burn the opposition to reach this goal, be they books or humans.

In short, both societies are desensitised, with governments that control the people through the control of the flow of information and a system whereby deviants are simply marked down and eliminated. However, the novels are noticeably different on a fine level, from the writer’s perspective to the book’s atmosphere.

Apart from anything else, 1984 can also be considered a sort of satirical romance, whereas Fahrenheit 451 has no real element of romance whatsoever. It involves an inner conflict and occasionally uses Montag’s wife as a McGuffin, while in 1984 Julia’s relationship is the act of rebellion in itself.

The setting is in fact post-nuclear war for both books (“We’ve started and won two atomic wars since 2022”, “when the atom bomb was dropped on Coventry”), though of course the effects these wars have had on the respective settings of both books is very different.

For example, in Fahrenheit 451 , the USA has emerged from at least two wars victorious and eventually embroils itself in another one, causing the obliteration of at least one of its cities (“City looks like a heap of baking powder”).

On the contrary, in 1984 the nuclear war has stopped any further use of atomic weapons and in fact has ensured the dictatorships will remain stable forever. The idea behind this is a possible reference to the theory of mutually-assured destruction, or MAD for short.

The focus, it is to be noted, of Fahrenheit 451 is that of a silent revolution going on outside the vision of the government, whereas in 1984 it is that of a depressed world where there is no ‘outside the vision of the government’, because the government sees and knows all.

As well as this, there is the character of O’brien, seen as an intelligent, powerful and utterly invincible zealot, who is seen as the primary antagonist of the novel, contrasted with Beatty, a disillusioned but ultimately expendable character, killed off by Montag at the end of the book.

The government, although occasionally referred to in either novel, remains largely a mystery in Fahrenheit 451 , but in 1984 its structure is well-explained and understood; in fact, the inner workings of Smith’s rulers is key to the plot of the book.

In conclusion, I will re-state my earlier point that the two books have many fine, inconspicuous differences that nonetheless very much separate them under close examination. Therefore, one can safely say they are very different novels while at the same time putting them in the same category.

Buy 1984 for $11.28 with free worldwide delivery

Buy a study guide to 1984 for $7.08 with free worldwide delivery.

Buy Fahrenheit 451 for $9.72 with free worldwide delivery.

3 Responses

• Pingbacks 0

I was surprised at how late the date given in the story was, coenidsring how long ago it was written it makes sense maybe that they would push the date back in order for it to still have a punch at the end. The short story was bleak and fleeting but powerful: all the humans gone, their creations still continue to function, but eventually time and the elements will wipe out any trace of them. Audiences would have to read the final date as in the future or the story loses a lot of its drama. If the date is in the past then of course the threatening idea could never come to fruition in the eyes of the reader. It would come across as more of a re-imagined history than a what-if . Though the mechanized technology in the story has inevitably become dated one now thinks of everything super-futuristic in terms of holographic images and advanced electronics the end date in the future still makes the story chilling.

fahrenheit was published in 1953, not 51, in 51 Bradbury published his short story the “Pedastrian” which shares similarities to 451.

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Get new posts by email directly to your inbox.

Privacy Overview

• TOP CATEGORIES
• AS and A Level
• University Degree
• International Baccalaureate
• Uncategorised
• 5 Star Essays
• Study Tools
• Study Guides
• Meet the Team
• English Literature
• Criticism & Comparison
• Other Criticism & Comparison

Comparative Essay: 1984 and A Clockwork Orange

Both ‘Nineteen Eighty Four ‘ and ‘A Clockwork Orange’ are novels set in a future dystopian society where government regime is an ever present feature which inevitably results in its people losing their freedom and individuality.  In 1984, the citizens of Oceania are forbidden to speak out against the Party, for fear of violent retaliation from the Thought Police. There are no laws, which allow the Party to change any policy whenever it desires, so they can easily control the people. In A Clockwork Orange, the police are brutal violent men, and crimes like robbery and rape are often overlooked by them. The police are extremely corrupt, and break many laws themselves; and when criminals are caught, the police will beat them harshly. When Alex is betrayed by his gang members, the police beat and mistreat Alex for hours. Even his parole officer is offered a chance to attack Alex: 'If you'd like to give him a bash in the chops, sir... don't mind us. We'll hold him down. He must be another great disappointment for you."

The Government regime is a prime catalyst in the two novels in terms of the plot development. Although the two parties concerned are conflicting in their approach to the way in which the country is managed in the futuristic setting, the hostile repercussions of their ideologies are equally echoed throughout each of the novels.  In A Clockwork Orange, the Government seeks to suppress individuals and individual choice in favour of the stability of the State, largely to ensure its own survival. Towards the end, the Government is prepared to do anything necessary, including distributing propaganda and censorship, employing morally questionable scientific techniques to "reform" criminals, and employing criminals as state patrol to threaten other citizens.  Despite the obvious abnormality of government control and absurd speculation displayed within the book, a reader may struggle to comprehend how a Government could have such an invasive effect on such a broad society. Although conscious of the party system existing in England today, it is only due to the press and media coverage that we are allowed to formulate an opinion of the government as they hold no majorly intrusive attitudes in regards to the way in which the country is run. Similarly to A Clockwork Orange, George Orwell includes a controversial government, however conversely to Antony Burgess’ portrayal, the party included in ‘1984’ are totalitarian and serve to dehumanise the citizens. The Party wants power for its own sake and carefully monitors the behaviour of all of its constituents. The conditions are dilapidated, but the citizens do not know better.

This is a preview of the whole essay

In both 1984 and A Clockwork Orange, the citizens are denied their rights and freedoms due to unreasonable policing and cruel punishment. In a clockwork orange, alex and his droogs do not treat people as fellow human beings, but rather as a way of experiencing their own personal sadistic enjoyment, which is simply a merciless demonstration of exercising the freedom of which they have become accustomed to. Free will is obviously an important theme.  Immediately, Burgess poses the question “What’s it going to be then, eh?” (Burgess 1). This question presupposes that Alex has the ability to make freely decided choices. Since free will is one of the most important possessions of the human race, it was important for Burgess to explore the possibilities of losing it. Through the Ludovico Technique, Alex totally loses the ability to freely choose his actions, however horrible those actions might be. The doctors say at one point during Alex’s treatment that “You’re  not cured yet. There’s still a lot to be done. Only when your body reacts promptly and violently to violence, as to a snake, without further help from us, without medication…” (Burgess 116). Alex is “cured,” he is not taught right and wrong. The term “cured” in this context seems to be interchangeable with the word “determined.” Alex is without possession of free choice at this point, and thus he is determined. Burgess gained much of his inspiration for writing A Clockwork Orange from his excursion to Leningrad in 1961. There, he observed the state-regulated, repressive atmosphere of a nation that threatened to spread its dominion over the world. During his visit, Burgess witnessed the remorseless brutality executed by thuggish Russian teenagers known as the stilyagi. The resemblances between the Russian gang culture and the “droogs” depicted in A Clockwork Orange are startlingly uncanny and it is highly probable that Burgess’ inspiration for the gang originated from this. The theme of restricted freedom is also reflected in the Russian society. However it was not Burgess’ intention to satirically mock the Russian communist ideology, but instead to estimate how communist societal views would affect the behaviourism of the British society. Although there is no physical consequence to excessively exercising freedoms within 1984, the Newspeak is an ever-present restriction which serves as developed language that is devoid of expression and was created to limit thought. In this way the Party is able to eliminate humanness and emotions, to keep the minds of many like the mind of one. I believe that it is the government control depicted within A Clockwork Orange that is the most debauched due to the controversial alternative therapy used to enforce control. Conversely, the societal rules within 1984 have always been present and so the people have had no other option but to conform as they would not be aware of how to behave in any other way; a man who was born blind would not know any differently.  

It could be argued that the forged languages present in the novels are further extensions of the restrictive government regimes. In 1984, newspeak is the government's tool to limit the people's range of thought, and to control the masses. By systematically reducing words and eliminating language that is commonly appreciated, it allows the government to limits any thoughts that can be expressed verbally due to the deliberate translation barrier; new speak has no words to describe concepts that go against the party’s views, for example there are no words for democracy or freedom of speech, the closest word being "crimethink", as a result it is impossible to express any thoughts which go against the will of the party. In a contemporary society, language is constantly expanding, with a vast number of neologisms being regularly added to the dictionary. Conversely, Newspeak decreases in size justifying how the party is working towards gaining total control over the people; reducing the number of words also removes any literary value to writing, because there would only be one distinct way to present any particular concept. Not only would the correct words for certain concepts not be available, but a lack of adjectives would cause the writing would be completely bland and unemotional, which in itself would deter people from reading at all. The Newspeak equivalent presented in A Clockwork Orange is named “nadsat, and serves to fulfil several factors within the novel. Primarily it works as a literary device that seeks to temporarily alienate the reader from the world of the protagonist-narrator. Without constantly de-coding the language and translating it to give the respective English meaning, it is difficult to appreciate the Nadsat language. Whilst much of the wording separates the reader from a dystopian world, there are a selection of words that- with slight contemplation- are easily understood which in a sense reflects the fact that although  Burgess’ society is a work of fiction, it is not outright unrealistic, which instils fear into the reader.   Second, since nadsat draws its inspirations from Russian and Cockney English, it tells us about the author's political message. In Burgess's time, Russian was a seriously repressed totalitarian state, and Alex's fictional British world is not much different. Third, as we discuss in the "Characterization" section, an individual's use of language tells us a good deal about his place, function, and role in society. The origins of nadsat betray the political message Burgess intends to convey through its usage – that Alex's Britain is not that far off from being a totalitarian state like Russia. Nadsat is indispensable to A Clockwork Orange as a literary device. Without it, readers would never have the opportunity to develop the requisite rapport with the protagonist to stick with him through the end.

Document Details

• Author Type Student
• Word Count 1393
• Page Count 4
• Level AS and A Level
• Subject English
• Type of work Coursework

Related Essays

Youth Culture In Parts 1 - 2 Of A Clockwork Orange

Power In The First Part Of A Clockwork Orange

Both Brighton Rock and Clockwork Orange focus mainly around the two crimina...

Focusing On a Clockwork Orange and Frankenstein compare some of the ways au...

The Handmaid’s Tale And 1984 Comparison

1984, written by George Orwell, and The Handmaid’s Tale, written by Margaret Atwood, are two novels that explore the theme of totalitarianism. Although the two books are set in different time periods and cultures, they share many similarities in terms of their government control and oppression of individuals.

Both 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale feature governments that are all-powerful and use fear to control their citizens. In 1984, the government controls everything from the media to history itself, manipulating information to suit their own purposes. In The Handmaid’s Tale, the government controls women’s bodies and reproductive rights, using them as a tool to maintain power. In both books, these oppressive regimes strip away the individuality and freedom of their citizens, leaving them with little hope for a better future.

Despite their differences, 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale offer a warning about the dangers of giving too much power to government. They show how easily people can be controlled when they are afraid, and how quickly those in power can abuse their authority. These novels serve as a reminder that we must be vigilant in our fight for freedom and liberty, or else we risk losing both.

In both The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984, there is a “subversion of authority” motif. Characters in both works regularly rebel against their States even if the results of their actions are catastrophic. Offred subverts the power of the State in The Handmaid’s Tale by having an affair with Luke before her wedding. Serena Joy also rebels against the State in The Handmaid’s Tale by purchasing unlawful goods, such as cigarettes, and smoking them in front of Offred and the rest of her household.

1984’s Winston also rebels against the State by conducting a secret affair with Julia. Furthermore, he also writes rebellious thoughts in his diary, which is a direct challenge to the authority of the Party.

Lastly, all three characters participate in some form of physical rebellion; Winston gets beaten up by Parsons for not participating in the Two Minutes Hate, Offred hits Ofglen with her shopping bags when she finds out that she has been executed, and Julia throws a rock at a telescreen. Consequently, because all three characters rebel against the authority of their States, they are similar to one another. 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale are also similar in their use of surveillance as a means of control.

In 1984, the government uses telescreens to watch over the citizens and make sure that they are not engaging in any rebellious behavior. The Party also uses the Thought Police to monitor people’s thoughts and arrest them if they are found to be thinking about anything that challenges the authority of the State. In The Handmaid’s Tale, the government also uses surveillance as a means of control.

The Eyes are always watching the Handmaids to make sure that they are not engaging in any rebel behavior. Furthermore, Aunt Lydia is always monitoring the Handmaids’ thoughts and punishing them if they think about anything that could be construed as rebellious. Consequently, because 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale both use surveillance as a means of control, they are similar to one another. Lastly, 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale are similar in their use of language as a means of control.

In 1984, the Party controls the language by eliminating words from the dictionary that could challenge its authority. Furthermore, it replaces words with new ones that better reflect its values. For example, the Party replaces the word “democracy” with “Ingsoc.” In The Handmaid’s Tale, the government also controls the language by eliminating words that could challenge its authority.

In 1984, Winston Smith defies the state’s authority by recording in his diary that he obtained it from a black market. In opposition to the State, Julia and Winston rebel later by having sex in the country. All of these people understood what the potential punishments for rebelling against their states might be, but they nevertheless decided to do so because they believed their states had wronged them and felt compelled to express themselves.

In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred also rebels against the state in her own way. She does not try to overthrow the government or have sex with anyone she is not supposed to, but she does defy them by keeping her memories and thoughts to herself. Both 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale explore what happens when people are forced to give up their rights and freedom in the name of security.

Both stories are cautionary tales that show what could happen if we let our governments get too powerful. 1984 is a reminder that we need to be careful about giving up our freedom, while The Handmaid’s Tale is a reminder that we need to be careful about how much power we give our governments. They are both essential reads in today’s society.

In both Atwood’s and Orwell’s works, the authors encourage their readers to be aware of State power over them and to constantly question information given by government authorities. Both writers argue that there are a variety of methods to do this, but the most efficient is my reading and interrogating the state’s power. Offred sleeping with Luke before she “solidified” her marriage with him exemplifies the “subversion of authority” theme in The Handmaid’s Tale.

This act of defiance not only shows the reader that she is capable of thinking for herself and making her own decisions, but also serves as a way to remind us that even in the most oppressive societies, there will always be those who choose to resist. 1984 presents a number of examples where Winston subverts the authority of the Party.

One such instance is when he bought an illicit journal from Mr. Charrington, which was against the Party’s rules. Another example is when he develops a relationship with Julia, something that is strictly forbidden. By engaging in these activities, Winston is sending a message to the Party that he is his own person and will not be controlled by them.

Even though the punishments for these acts are severe, Winston is willing to risk them because he knows that it is important to stand up for what you believe in. 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale are both cautionary tales that remind us of the importance of freedom of thought and expression. They also serve as a reminder that we should never take our freedoms for granted, and that it is always important to be vigilant in order to protect them.

More Essays

• The Handmaids Tale Theme Essay
• The Handmaid’s Tale
• Flowers In The Handmaid’s Tale
• 1984 Betrayal
• A Comparison of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451
• Figurative Language In 1984
• 1984 Mind Control
• Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and Margaret Laurence’s The Fire Dweller’s
• Utopia In George Orwell’s 1984 Essay
• A Handmaid’s Tale

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Fahrenheit 451 — A Comparison of Dystopias: “Fahrenheit 451” and “1984”

A Comparison of Dystopias: "Fahrenheit 451" and "1984"

• Categories: 1984 Fahrenheit 451

About this sample

Words: 571 |

Published: Mar 6, 2024

Words: 571 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1144 words

2 pages / 914 words

1 pages / 558 words

3.5 pages / 1498 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Fahrenheit 451

Individuality is a fundamental aspect of human nature, shaping our identities, beliefs, and values. Yet, in Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451, individuality is suppressed and condemned by a totalitarian society. This [...]

In Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451, fire serves as a powerful symbol with multifaceted meanings. While fire is typically associated with warmth, light, and life, in this novel, it takes on a darker and more [...]

Fahrenheit 451 is a novel that was published in 1953 by Ray Bradbury. It is a science-fiction novel set in a dystopian society where books are banned. The protagonist of the novel, Guy Montag, is a fireman whose job is to burn [...]

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel, often categorized as science fiction, set in a strange, oppressive future with intellectual thinking viewed as dangerous. The novel focuses on Guy Montag, a fireman whose job was to burn [...]

Fire takes on a multifaceted role, serving as both a literal and symbolic element throughout the story. In this essay, we will explore the significance of fire in Fahrenheit 451, delving into its representation of destruction [...]

Lascelles Abercrombie once said, “There is only one thing which can master the perplexed stuff of epic material into unity; and that is, an ability to see in particular human experience some significant symbolism of man’s [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

V for Vendetta vs. 1984: Comparative Essay

Many have pondered with a tinge of sadness on the ephemerality of existence. A man may die, civilizations prosper and decline, but ideas endure without death. They are trampled upon for a time, “yet seldom do they fail of their seed, and that will lie in the dust and rot to spring up again in times unlooked-for” (Tolkien, 294). The power of idea is seen throughout media and literature. Both 1984, a dystopian novel written by George Orwell, and the film V for Vendetta portray a world besieged by poverty, warfare, and totalitarianism. Amongst the turmoil and destruction, V emerges victorious while Winston Smith succumbs to the Oceanian hegemony. Both V and the Party of 1984 succeed - V in the ousting of the government while the latter in its attainment - because they realize that the power of a political or moral belief can transcend that of the individual. V and Big Brother transform into symbols, or embodiments of ideas, through which they propagate their influence. Moreover, they realize that a belief can cause an individual to be audacious to the point of irrationality. Finally, V and the Party are both aware that an idea is more powerful as a collective quality.

Related Papers

Pablo Peláez

Dystopian literature is considered a branch of science fiction which writers use to portray a futuristic dark vision of the world, generally dominated by technology and a totalitarian ruling government that makes use of whatever means it finds necessary to exert a complete control over its citizens. George Orwell’s 1984 (1949) is considered a landmark of the dystopian genre: it portrays a futuristic where a totalitarian, fascist party rules London aiming to keep its citizens under their complete control. This paper will take two examples of contemporary dystopian literature, Philip K. Dick’s “Faith of Our Fathers” (1967) and Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta (1982-1985), in order to closely analyze the influence that Orwell’s dystopia played in their construction. It will focus on how these two works took Orwellian vision of a totalitarian state, the different methods of control it employs to keep citizens under complete control and submission, and how they introduce them into their stories. KEYWORDS: Orwell, V for Vendetta, Faith of Our Fathers, social control, manipulation, submission. La ciencia ficción es uno de los géneros cuye auge se encuentra al alza hoy en día. De entre sus diversas ramificaciones, la literatura distópica es una de las más usadas por los escritores para proyectar una visión del mundo oscura y futurista, dominado por la tecnología y caracterizada por un gobierno totalitario que hace uso de todos los medios que encuentra necesarios para ejercer un control total sobre sus ciudadanos. La novela de George Orwell 1984 (1949) es considerada un hito del género distópico: en ella, Orwell retrata un Londres futurista, gobernado por un partido fascista y totalitario, cuyo mero objetivo es el control total sobre sus ciudadanos. El objetivo de este ensayo es analizar dos ejemplos de la literatura distópica contemporánea, por un lado "La Fe de Nuestros Padres" (1967) de Philip K. Dick, así como la novela gráfica de Alan Moore V de Vendetta (1982-1985), con el objetivo de estudiar la influencia que el modelo distópico de Orwell desempeñó en la construcción de las distopías anteriormente mencionadas. De igual modo, este ensayo se centrará en cómo estas dos obras tomaron las representaciones de Orwell de un estado totalitario, los diferentes métodos de control que éste emplea para mantener a sus ciudadanos bajo un estado de absoluta sumisión y control, y cómo plasmaron éstas representaciones en sus respectivas obras. PALABRAS CLAVE: Orwell, V de Vendetta, La Fe de Nuestros Padres, control social, manipulación, sometimiento.

International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature

Wan Roselezam Wan Yahya Wan Yahya

What is the Human? Australian Voices from the Humanities

Peter Goodall

International Political Anthropology

Drawing on the work of René Girard on imitation, I argue that George Orwell’s 1984 should be read as a work of political anthropology of pressing contemporary relevance. The setting of 1984 is a totalitarian society, but Orwell’s main focus is the rebellious subject and how imitative rivalry and disfiguring critique replicates and even extends the very power it seeks to oppose. This reading is supported intertextually by a shorter analysis of Keep the Aspidistra Flying, wherein the protagonist’s opposition to money – disfigured as the “Money-God” – makes money or its lack omnipresent for him. From this political anthropology of the rebellious subject, I draw the conclusion that critique, social or political, is imitative and is less a revelation than a disfigurement.

Residentes dieciocho veintidós

1984 and Philosophy

Stefan Storrie , Diana Adela Martin

Naomi Jacobs

The Astrophysical Journal

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Georgeson Botanical Garden

Patricia Holloway

Journal of Bio- and Tribo-Corrosion

Vincent Crasta

RELATED PAPERS

AMA journal of ethics

Anne Libera

International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience

Sraboni Chaudhury

Helena Brentani

Gabler Verlag eBooks

Erich Schwarz

European Heart Journal

Peter Elwood

Göran Falkman

Medical Journal Armed Forces India

Sameer Bhatia

南新罕布什尔大学学位证 SNHU毕业证书

Anais do Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical

Carlos Manuel Filho

Jeroen Van Der Grond

Csaba Dupcsik

Journal of emerging technologies and innovative research

Abhishek Gawade

Alzheimer's Research & Therapy

Lukáš Najdekr

Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk

Luc CIMUSA KULIMUSHI

Elaine Conte

Res humanitariae

Nataliia Lytovchenko

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Common theme between Hamlet & 1984

I'm suppose to write a comparative essay between 1984 and Hamlet later on. I read both text and liked them. However, I'm having a had time finding commong themes between the two. What are some key themes/point shared by both. Key quotes I could use for comparison.

One common theme between the two texts would be chaos. Both Hamlet and Winston live in worlds where the game changes continuously based upon the whims of those in charge. Winston's world revolves around the whims of the Party.... things change everyday in response to what the Party wants people to think and believe. Hamlet left for school the son of a King. He returns to a world in which his father has been murdered, and his uncle has taken his father's place..... not only as KIng, but also as his mother's husband. In these two novels, we see two different responses to the chaos..... Hamlet's madness..... Winston's secret hideaway. Both men are incapacitated.... both driven mad.

Log In To Your GradeSaver Account

• Remember me
• Forgot your password?

Create Your GradeSaver Account

• Science & Math
• Sociology & Philosophy
• Law & Politics

Essay: Comparison between 1984 and Hunger Games

• Essay: Comparison between 1984 and…

In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the dystopian country of Oceania is controlled by the Party. Many citizens of the nation have no freedom of thought, speech or knowledge. The Party brainwashes people into thinking the same way as it and kills those who so much as disagree with it.

In the film version of The Hunger Games, originally written by Suzanna Collins, the country of Panem is controlled by the Capitol. The inhabitants of the Capitol live luxuriously and safely while the people of the twelve other districts are in poverty and fear. Both fictitious stories have many similarities and differences.

In each world, the government unfairly controls its population and suppresses the peoples’ freedom. The Capitol kills anyone who is disobedient, and they also hold an event called the Hunger Games. “Once a year, boy and girl ‘tributes’ are chosen by lottery from each district and forced to compete in the Hunger Games, an event is televised throughout the land and manipulated for maximum ratings.

The last one left alive is the winner.” This event gives the Capitol power because its citizens are constantly reminded of the Capitol’s power. In 1984, the three classes were the Inner Party, the Outer Party, and the proles. The Inner Party brainwashes the other citizens by telling them lies and torturing them until they believe what the Party wants them to believe. Winston Smith, a member of the Outer Party, and Katniss Everdeen, a girl from the districts, are the protagonist in each story. The two each disagree with the way their respective governments rule and they fight for that in which they believe.

In the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen becomes one of the contestants in Hunger Games. She allies herself with Peeta, a fellow player from her district. They end up being the last two standing and to rebel against the Capitol, and they decide they will kill themselves at the same time so that there is no single winner. The Capitol ends up letting them both win since the citizens of the Capitol would find it unacceptable if they were to both die.

At the same time, allowing two victors was interpreted as an act of rebelling against the government. This causes an uproar in the Capitol and shows the other districts that the government was weak. Katniss completed her mission by giving hope to the other districts and convincing them to fight back, therefore beginning a revolution.

Winston Smith decided to rebel against the Party by living part-time in an apartment with his girlfriend Julia in a location that the Party does not supervise. He also tries to find ways to convince the proles to rebel with him. The proles are weak-minded laborers who make up approximately 85% of Oceania’s population and as Winston wrote it, “If there is hope, it lies in the proles.” By saying this, he means that the only way the Party could ever be overpowered is by the proles turning against the Party itself.

Living unsupervised with a girl and attempting to be freed from the Party’s control were both for which the Party had no tolerance. When they caught him in the act of rebelling he was sent to be tortured and brainwashed until his old mentality was non-existent and he had truly become loyal to the Party. Winston and Katniss both fought for what they believed in, but only one succeeded in their goal because of the division of classes in their world.

Panem has a distinct division of classes. The high class is the Capitol which menacingly rules the country and its citizens have good jobs and healthy lives. The low class is comprised of the citizens of the districts who live in poor conditions and collect and manufacture primary materials that are used in the Capitol. The Capitol sits high above the districts, but its rulers fail to realize that the districts could one day rebel.

Although the people from each district are too weak mentally to wrap their minds around the fact that they could rebel, Katniss reveals to them their true value. In the Hunger Games, not having a middle class weakened the high class since they were fooled into thinking that there was no threat from the low class. Oceania is ruled by the Inner Party, which is a division of the Party.

A small percentage of the population are members of the Inner Party, and they live like royalty. They all think alike, and it is their job to control their country’s collective mind, but; “If an Inner Party member gets out of line they are dealt with the same as any other member of society, mainly through torture, imprisonment and/or being erased from history (becoming an “unperson”).”

There is also the Outer Party whose members do jobs that require intelligence, and the uneducated proles who produce goods for little pay. The proles are too feeble to rebel, but the Outer Party members are smart enough to think for themselves and could persuade the proles into an insurgency. The Inner Party knew the Outer Party could begin an uprising, so it used preventative counter rebellion tactics to maintain its position as the high class. These stories show that a middle class was crucial for the high class to remain in an authoritative position.

Winston and Katniss were both rebels. They did their best to rebel, but Winston was not as successful as Katniss since he was up against a more dominant form of government. There are three tiers of classes in Oceania, and the middle class was a known threat to the high class, so the high class incorporated precautions to prohibit the middle class from taking away its power.

The rulers of the Capitol did not think they had to worry about rebellion since the whole time they had been in power; the lower class was so far beneath them that they could not take over the high class. This blinded the Capitol to the fact that there was a chance that a citizen from a district could one day reveal to the lower class their true strength. As shown in these two unforgiving societies, the class structure is an important factor in the government maintaining or losing its control.

Bibliography • Eby, Douglas. “Suzanne Collins on The Hunger Games and Being a Writer.” Psych Central.com, 22 Mar. 2012, blogs.psychcentral.com/creative-mind/2012/03/suzanne-collins-on-the-hunger-games-and-being-a-writer/. • Orwell, George. 1984. Penguin, 2008. • “The Hunger Games.” Lions Gate Home Entertainment, 2012. • Bean Shadow. “The World of ‘1984’: Class System.” Writing As I Please, 11 Mar. 2013, writingasiplease.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/1984-class-system/.

Related Posts

• Tips for Essay Writing
• Meiosis vs. Mitosis: Comparison
• Hunger & Weight Regulation: The Physiology of Hunger
• Essay Analysis Structure
• Dystopian Literature Essay: The Hunger Games

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post comment

• International
• Schools directory
• Resources Jobs Schools directory News Search

Comparative Essay - The Handmaid's Tale & 1984

Subject: English

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

15 June 2023

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

This is an A-A* comparative essay model answer. This was written for the OCR A Level English Literature Comparative and Contextual study paper 2. This covers the theme of freedom and answers the comment ‘Dystopian fiction shows us the shock of losing freedoms which have been taken for granted.’ for Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Orwell’s 1984.

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

This resource hasn't been reviewed yet

To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource: