Pink Floyd and 1984

[ragdish]

I recently viewed for the zillionth time Pink Floyd's The Wall. The scene with the fascist rally with Bob Geldoff singing "In the Flesh" reminded me of the 2 minutes hate in 1984. I also see some parallels between the character Pink and Winston Smith. Anyone else have thoughts on this matter?

[rabid reader]

Well Pink Floyd has drawn a lot of influence from Orwell, not only in 1984 but also in Animal Farm. Orwell's influence can be found easiestly in the Pink Floyd Album Animals (my personal favourite).

But in the case of Winston-Pink, I think that when you compare any two charactors who are living in self induced isolation you can find many simularities. The image of the Wall itself can be compared to the thought excerise of 2+2=4 in the sense that it is through this exersice that Winston maintains his individualism and when the that thought process is taken from him he unifies himself with Big Brother. When Pink brings down the wall his is consumed by the monsters he always feared (his wife, school teacher and mother) who have been beating on the wall since he was a child. Unifying him aswell.

[The Atheist]

I recently viewed for the zillionth time Pink Floyd's The Wall. The scene with the fascist rally with Bob Geldoff singing "In the Flesh" reminded me of the 2 minutes hate in 1984. I also see some parallels between the character Pink and Winston Smith. Anyone else have thoughts on this matter?

You're on it, although Waters couldn't decide whether he was BB or Winston.

It depended on how much he was hurting at the time.


Well Pink Floyd has drawn a lot of influence from Orwell, not only in 1984 but also in Animal Farm. Orwell's influence can be found easiestly in the Pink Floyd Album Animals (my personal favourite).

Have you seen Pink Floyd live? They have great pigs.


When Pink brings down the wall his is consumed by the monsters he always feared (his wife, school teacher and mother) who have been beating on the wall since he was a child.

Exactly the opposite, actually. He is consumed by them, then breaks free of them by busting the wall.

Not to mention that aside from his dad dying, most of Waters' problems were self-induced, although I guess you could argue Winston's were as well.

[Janine]

Wow, I love Pink Floyd and love the film The Wall. It's more amazing everytime I see it, experience it. I like the comments so far. Gives me more insight into just what PF intended or related to. I love the ending with the wall coming down. I think it's about time to rewatch the film. I usually see it periodically.

[The Atheist]

Wow, I love Pink Floyd and love the film The Wall. It's more amazing everytime I see it, experience it. I like the comments so far. Gives me more insight into just what PF intended or related to. I love the ending with the wall coming down. I think it's about time to rewatch the film. I usually see it periodically.

I'm always in two minds about The Wall. On one hand, the sheer brilliance of the music makes it one of the classics. Comfortably Numb, in my highly subjective view, is the best piece of music ever written. (Yes, you did see that right, JBI, if you're watching :) the best piece of music ever.)

On the other, Waters' self-pitying [/.....words I can't use here.....] is more than I can stand and I usually hit the off button just after Run!, which is just out-bloody-standing.

[ragdish]

Comfortably numb is IMO the all time best Pink Floyd song. Recall Winston's torture by O'Brien followed by an injection of the soothing sedative. When listeing to the song I could picture O'Brien saying "Hello, is there anybody in there?..........Ok. Just a little pinprick. Therell be no more --aaaaaahhhhh!
But you may feel a little sick."

[Dan in The Pan]

Just reading 1984 for the 1st time and Winston has finally given in to the party. The inspiration for Comfortably Numb can only have come from this scene.