Now, George Orwell is a whole lot darker than Ray Bradbury in these novels. It is like comparing Mary Wollenstone Craft's works to Pride and Prejudice, or juvenalian to saturnalian (???) satire. One is a whole lot more harder than the other, though they both do the same thing. 451 introduces a world where everyone is glued to the television screen and is not allowed to expand their minds by means of books. Cause they're all banned. In 1984, everyone is watched all the time by telescreens and their freedom to EVERYTHING is restricted. Orwell's world is darker and harsher.
Each book has a male protagonist that, despite their soul-quenching environments, start learning the truth via some inner conscience and some outer source (Julia, Faber). They both have someone who betrays them (The Antique Shop Man, Montag) who they previously trusted. They both have some sort of woman issue: they have their estranged wives and their side interests that help them rebel and is all about freedom (Julia, Clarisse). Of course, they girls themselves are entirely innocent.
Hey! I'm going to elaborate now. Also, the societies are very much the same. First, they center around the city. The wild outdoors, the variable of nature, scares these overwhelming systems because they cannot control it. It is where our rebellious protagonists go to ... rebel. Or escape. It was while taking in the night through an unprecedented walk that Montag meets that girl and starts (*gasp*) thinking. He also finds his way in the wilderness again at the end in the book circle. Winston finds his way in the wilderness at the very beginning of his rebellion when he and Julia commit their "political act." From then on, they find places of seclusion "outside" or in other various symbols of uncontrollable strength. For example, they often find themselves in churches. Religion is like the wilderness, in that it is powerful and difficult to control, even though Insoc destroyed them. They still manage to live on in some ways.
Each book also holds the presence of a "protecting" force that also serves as destroyer. In 451, that is served by the firemen, but more specifically, the fantastic dog robot. Since it is a robot, it is also devoid of all human feeling and becomes a tool in the hands of a society that has similarly lost its humanity. In 1984, Ingsoc is the society that has lost its humanity, but the telescreens serve a parallel to the robot dog. It serves a protective feature in society and yet also betrays Winston and Julia in the upper room.
Technology is also a big part in each book. In 451, the televisions that take up a wall spur the wife (and the whole society) into a want for more and more and more mindless diversion. Since there is something to replace books, it is easier for the government to control. The telescreens in 1984 serve a similar purpose.
The complete opposite to this mindless diversion is books and writing. Both rebellions in 451 and 1984 have to do with reading and writing and books. Montag kept a book. Winston wrote something in a diary. Montag started reading. Winston obtained THE BOOK. Clearly, education is the key to mind-numbing activities.
Now, before I start in on differences, think of something. Is this just a bit scary? And which is scarier?
The destructive nature of the societies differ greatly. Though, in a way they can just be taken as different parts of the same cycle. 451's society wishes to usher their citizens into a mindless state induced by technology and lack of books. Force is used. But such things as thinking and taking long walks is seen as odd and is discouraged but not forbidden. In 1984, there are strict rules and the citizens live in constant fear. Even the patriotic Mrs. Whats-her-name with dust on her face lives in constant fear. Extermination is wholly possible. They government controls every aspect of people's lives and does not relent or give grace. At all.
The class models also differ. 1984 has two classes: the regular people and the proles. 451 seems to live in a constant state of suburbia. I'm going to stop talking now because honestly, I need to study up more on both books before I state a definite list of differnces. But you get the point.
In characters, there are also several differnces. For example, Montag is a guy you might possibly want to take home to your parents - he is a true hero. His only flaw is really one introduced by his society. Winston is yucky. His only redeeming quality is the fact that he is the last man in Britain who has a stinking conscience. Perhaps the amount of flaw in the man is influenced by the degree of flaw in the society. But I still like Montag better. And also, Montag pulls through in the end. Winston falls in Room 101. Clarisse and Julia differ the most though. Julia is hard headed and uncaring and rebels simply to rebel. She is a teenager of Ingsoc. So pretty much just a nonserious side effect of Ingsoc. She has been to the extremes of dirtiness but finds a bit of redemption finally in her relationship with Winston. Clarisse is...Stargirl. Which is how I'm going to name these types of characters from now on. They are wholly likeable and INNOCENT. They are curious and delight in the oddities of life. They thrive on social attention but also are content with solitude. But in the whole, they are innocent. Julia and Clarisse's roles in the novels are the same but their characters are completely different.
The last difference here, the endings are different. 1984 ends with "two gin-scented tears" and a totally broken down The Last Man on Earth. The Dystopia has won. 451 ends with Montag finding other crazy kids just like him out in the wilderness. There is Hope. There is a counter society that could one day rise up and school that dystopia.
The question is....which one is scarier?
Despite the hope at the end, I think 451 is scarier. It resembles our own society the most.
In the movie Stranger than Fiction, the main character wanders around for a couple days and keeps 2 tallies in a little notebook: signs that he is in a comedy and signs that he is in a tragedy. Every once in a while, as you are watching the news or thinking about the omnipresence of technology in our society, make a little mark in your mental book...
are we living in a utopia, or a dystopia?
Why is there a battery level indicator up at the top of the page?
ReplyDeleteUmm...cause you upset my page in some way?
ReplyDeleteI do actually intend on finishing this at some time, by the way. Hopefully, I can drag in Those Who Walked Away From Omelas.
ReplyDeleteHey! I finished!
ReplyDelete