Houndicus
10-10-2005, 11:46 AM
Hey, i gotta compare 1984 with Fahrenheit 451, which ae both kick-*** books too read, but i gotta mainly base it on main characters, and how the authors of each book represent their views through the characters.
I need some background information on when 1984 was written, and what Orwell was trying to say about society. I don't know whether to write about the McCarthy era, or the rise in commmunism etc, so any help??
This is the opening of my essay so far if it helps. I just gotta follow it up with a little contextual information, but im unsure. Thanks:
How do George Orwell (1984) and Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451) use their main characters to express their viewpoints?
In both ‘1984’ and ‘Fahrenheit 451,’ both the authors use their main character as a platform to show their views; essentially on society and the possibility of a dictatorial government if their power is abused, although these two protagonists exist in very different settings, both of which are highly controlled by the government. In 1984, the government appears to have blatant control, merely brainwashing the people into their beliefs: “In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five and you would have to believe it.” Fahrenheit 451 is dissimilar to this however, as the government merely takes advantage of the people’s decision to give up on books, and therefore, the freedom of imagination and genuine happiness:
“...everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy.”
What is noticeable is that both main characters are, in a sense, liberated by the end of the novel and have a dramatic change in their lifestyles and the way they think and act, through certain acts of the government. They both notice what is wrong with their lives; boredom and oppression overriding their lives, and they try to change the way they and others in society will think. John 3:32 from the bible sums this up well with, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Michael Levy writes:
“The novel (1984) can be seen as an attack on Senator Joseph McCarthy’s early 1950s anti-Communist crusade, during which the senator and his supporters attempted to subject government workers, politicians, journalists, and artists to strict government scrutiny.”
Similar to this, Orwell seems to be trying to portray the dangers of a government with absolute power and control of its subjects. 1984 can most definitely be interpreted as an incitement against communism; the Cold War ever-present at the time of writing; 1984 has a devastatingly dictatorial regime running, with the ‘Thought Police’ representing the brutal Nazi Gestapo Police with overruling power and an iron fist.
This is all i got so far, i just need some contextul around this point. It would be great if anyone can help, cheers
:p
I need some background information on when 1984 was written, and what Orwell was trying to say about society. I don't know whether to write about the McCarthy era, or the rise in commmunism etc, so any help??
This is the opening of my essay so far if it helps. I just gotta follow it up with a little contextual information, but im unsure. Thanks:
How do George Orwell (1984) and Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451) use their main characters to express their viewpoints?
In both ‘1984’ and ‘Fahrenheit 451,’ both the authors use their main character as a platform to show their views; essentially on society and the possibility of a dictatorial government if their power is abused, although these two protagonists exist in very different settings, both of which are highly controlled by the government. In 1984, the government appears to have blatant control, merely brainwashing the people into their beliefs: “In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five and you would have to believe it.” Fahrenheit 451 is dissimilar to this however, as the government merely takes advantage of the people’s decision to give up on books, and therefore, the freedom of imagination and genuine happiness:
“...everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy.”
What is noticeable is that both main characters are, in a sense, liberated by the end of the novel and have a dramatic change in their lifestyles and the way they think and act, through certain acts of the government. They both notice what is wrong with their lives; boredom and oppression overriding their lives, and they try to change the way they and others in society will think. John 3:32 from the bible sums this up well with, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Michael Levy writes:
“The novel (1984) can be seen as an attack on Senator Joseph McCarthy’s early 1950s anti-Communist crusade, during which the senator and his supporters attempted to subject government workers, politicians, journalists, and artists to strict government scrutiny.”
Similar to this, Orwell seems to be trying to portray the dangers of a government with absolute power and control of its subjects. 1984 can most definitely be interpreted as an incitement against communism; the Cold War ever-present at the time of writing; 1984 has a devastatingly dictatorial regime running, with the ‘Thought Police’ representing the brutal Nazi Gestapo Police with overruling power and an iron fist.
This is all i got so far, i just need some contextul around this point. It would be great if anyone can help, cheers
:p