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Comparing Rebellion And Individualism In Fritz Lang's Nineteen Eighty-Four

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Texts serve as a reflection of social, cultural and historical contexts of the composer, and thus the comparison of texts highlight the continuing yet changing nature of values through time. Rebellion and totalitarianism are precursors to revealing the impact of an oppressive government, which are explored in Fritz Lang’s expressionist film Metropolis (1927) and George Orwell’s satirical Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949). In the novel, “Nineteen Eighty-Four”, the protagonist Winston Smith depicts this conflict with the controlling government and hence their hunger for undefying power. Similarly, in the film “Metropolis”, the diminishment of self worth and individualism are explored to further emphasize the power of hierarchy values. Through exploring …show more content…

Freedom of the individual is restricted through constant monitoring through telescreen and hidden microphones. This is reflective of the Stalinist purges in the Soviet Union, were individuals who posed as a threat to the ideologies of the government were assassinated. In contrast to Lang’s perception of rebellion, which demonstrates that the nature of rebellion to retain one’s individuality are often conflicted with the ideals of oppressive political authority. Orwell depicts Winston’s rebellion against the oppressive government as reflects the political context of Orwell's disenchantment with Stalinist authorianism. “That was above all what he wanted to hear....the force that would tear the Party to pieces.” Through a determined tone it suggest that with the knowledge that he is rebelling against a system which restricts any sexual relation, he is eager to search for his freedom and retain his individuality, in which he is able to experience the sexual pleasure freely, without the constant surveillance by the Party. Furthermore, in contrast to Lang’s depiction of rebellion resulting in a revolution, Orwell concludes pessimistically, such that the Party physically and mentally torture him to discourage any expression of individuality. “The impacts and capabilities of this is reflected in Winston’s transformation in the end: “But it was all right… the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself.” The satirical reflection on his repeated lamentations and shame of opposing the Big Brother is ironic, as his internal ‘battle’ represents him succumbing to the indoctrination of Party beliefs. This is reinforced when he “unconsciously” traces “2+2=5” on the table, as the motif of the fabricated statement represents his lack of individual thought. This is also captured in the line “He loved Big Brother”, which

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