Hope In Dystopian Literature

Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and George Orewell’s 1984 were both composed surrounding times of war in the twentieth century. The authors were alarmed by what they saw in society and began to write novels depicting the severe outcomes and possiblities of civilizaton if it continued down its path. Although the two books are very different, they both address many of the same issues and principles.

Only the brave ones are strong enough to accept that most things are not as one would like them to be. More than that, brave people are also the only ones willing to do something in order to change these negative situations. To prosper out of tragic realities one needs a very powerful weapon: hope. Hope moves humanity. It is what helps us when having to deal from the smallest hardships to the hardest battles. From getting out of bed every morning with motivation, to waiting for an almost magical miracle; hope is what holds us and pushes us forward. George Orwell in his novel 1984 writes about how the main character, Winston, decides not to let tragedy take over. Winston opposes Big Brother’s totalitarian government to defend what he believes in. He believes humanity deserves freedom in all aspects. In the dystopian environment where he lives in, Winston stands alone

It is evident that within the novel 1984, that George Orwell establishes several moods through the use of literary devices, in which the reader is delved into the environment that Winston has to undergo subpar conditions amidst the ubiquitous and intrusive telescreens. This could be seen through the setting, imagery, and the diction that Orwell employs in conveying this mood. By George Orwell utilizing specific diction and imagery in describing the setting, this therefore contributes to a desolate, invasive, and tranquil mood; this could be seen through the instances of Winston’s apartment, Winston’s workplace, the apartment, and the Ministry of Love.

One night, a very dark night, trouble was lurking in the shadows. You could just smell it in the air everywhere you go. It was like choking on a dark cloud filled with danger. Legend has it that it targets one person until they die. It fills them with dreadful thoughts, making them do bad deeds, and leading them to suicide. Today it chose to pick me...

Authors often use their works as a way to express their own opinions and ideologies. However, it is the skill of the author that determines whether these ideas are combined with the plot seamlessly, making a creative transition of ideas from the author’s mind, to the reader’s. There is no doubt that George Orwell is a masterful writer, and one of his most popular works, 1984, clearly expresses his negative views of the Totalitarian government. A common theme in the dystopian society in 1984 is betrayal: The Party is very intolerant towards any form of disloyalty, and anyone who plots against them or Big Brother will eventually either betray their own mind and accept Big Brother as their leader, or be betrayed and revealed to The Party by

A dystopian society is one with restricted freedom, whose values are worshipped by citizens who live in fear of surveillance or punishment. In 1984 by George Orwell, the protagonist lives in a futuristic world, controlled by big brother and the inner party over aspects of human life. In Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr, the fear of egalitarian policies, and the dangers of equality take over. In The Purge by James DeMonaco, the citizens relief to self-regulate violence and to protect themselves and their family from the protagonist. All dystopian literature shares similar characteristics, winston which is the protagonist in 1984, he lives in a society where the government takes over and tries to brainwash the citizens making them believe they live in a illusion of a perfect world. Winston is depicted and physically ill, but strong enough not to give in. “Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the past.” (Orwell 12). George Bergeron is the protagonist in Harrison Bergeron, the government makes him wear a radio, which broadcasts noise over these radios to interrupt the thoughts of smart people like George. ‘’Screams and barking cries of consternation came from the television set’’ (Vonnegut 2). Sergeant was the protagonist in the purge, he risked his life by saving others life for a night of horror. The Purge, Harrison Bergeron, and 1984 were all based off government, society where there is limiting and controlling the population. ‘’We

n this excerpt of 1984 written by George Orwell (1948), Orwell describes about the forced indifferent emotions of Winston Smith after he was mentally tortured by the betrayal of Julia. Orwell builds his argument by initially using euphemism, and then describes how Winston festers, in a chronological pattern. He uses superfluous diction to support his main claim- how the argument between Julia and Winston contributed to Winston’s current emotional state. From his choice of diction, he seems to target people who are interested in History and old Literature.

Through the dystopic texts of 1984 written by George Orwell and V for Vendetta directed by James McTeigue, the concept of a cautionary tale is portrayed by the dystopic qualities present in the highlighted texts. To which a dystopic text is an exploration of restrictive and controlling societies which reflect modern day concerns. To portray the texts as a warning story, Orwell and McTeigue give depictions of the dystopic qualities of their worlds, through the loss of independence and freedom and emphasise the importance of the individual through its loss in the dystopic societies.

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

Dystopia: a society characterized by human misery and oppression. A Dystopian world is controlled by a government that can do no wrong. They weed out the individuals and groups that have the thought or intend to commit their lives to “dethroning” the ruler; Big Brother. The government will do anything to protect their way of life. They will go to the extremes of changing the past to control the future. In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the citizens live in a definitive dystopian world where the government forces the comrades to fit Big Brother’s purpose.

The characterization in this novel creates the reality of such an absurd world. Orwell characterizes two main characters, Winston and Julia, in ways that make them completely believable.

Two classic novels, 1984 written by George Orwell and Brave New World penned by Aldous Huxley both possess similar topics and themes. In both novels societies are striving for a utopia, or a perfect society. These novels also take place in societies with versions of totalitarian governments, which is a government that rules by coercion. Not only are the topics similar, but in both novels a rebellious character is the protagonist; Winston Smith from 1984 and John the Savage in Brave New World. Another parallel in the books are the tactics that the government uses to instill fear and power over the citizens. A common theme expressed in Orwell’s novel 1984 and Huxley’s novel Brave New World is that government uses

Ray Bradbury and George Orwell share a very similar theme in their two novels, Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. Winston Smith and Guy Montag work within an authoritarian organization, in which, they have opposing views of the authority. The novels are placed in a dystopian setting that the authority believes is a utopia. The dystopian fictions both have very similar predictions of the future. The predictions from these novels have not happened. However, it could be a short matter of time until the authors predictions on the future become reality.

The film Children of Men (2006) shows how hope and in contrast hopelessness are crucial factors in a dystopian world. The different groups of people in the film are all representing either hope or completely hopelessness together with helplessness. Britain, which is the setting of the story, is turned into a dystopian country even it is the last remaining country with a functioning government. However, police brutality and hatred against illegal immigrants is omnipresent. The whole story is set in the future, namely in 2027, and the main problem of humanity is infertility.

Orwell, adopts a subtler acknowledgment of Shakespeare. “Winston woke up with the word ‘Shakespeare’ on his lips.” Whereas, Huxley uses a more romanticist approach “did he dare? Dare to profane with his unworthiest hand that… No, he didn’t.” Interestingly, both authors use Shakespeare to describe their male characters attitudes sexually, towards women. Orwell’s Winston doesn’t initially have any erotic urges within his dream of a naked woman. But is unable to vocalise the way he perceived his dream. So reverts to using the word ‘Shakespeare.’ Whereas, Huxley’s John who has read the full works of Shakespeare and is considered absurd, when he uses them to verbalise the emotions that language prevents him from doing. However, the authors contrast in their characters use of the additional language Shakespeare can provide for the authors protagonists. As Lena Gräf suggests, “Everything that is done in the Brave New World has the purpose of fulfilling the state’s motto: Community, Identity, Stability.” The concept of nature in relationships and birth; is almost taboo.