Individual texts are influenced by specific contexts of which they are produced, alas they are representative of their given society’s politics and prevailing ideologies. Fitz Lang’s silent, black and white film, ‘Metropolis’ and George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’, similarly delve into differing dystopic societies reflective of their individual contexts. Both texts effectively explore autocratic control imposed on societies through the manipulation of technologies, oppressive nature of fascist regimes and its effects and the necessary role of a mediator in denying extreme values of societal regimes.
Orwell and Lang denounce manipulation of modernized technology as a mechanism of autocratic control. Specifically, Orwell highlights the destructive effects of psychological manipulation on Oceanian society. Technology is used to manipulate society in …show more content…
This idea is reflective of the extreme fascist totalitarian regimes over Hitler’s Nazi Party and Stalin’s regime throughout Russia. Comparably to Metropolis, within 1984 there is an evident social hierarchy; The Elite Inner Party, Outer Party and the Proles. The condensed Inner Party ascertains control and authority through their symbolic ‘Big Brother’ leader. The face of the Party, Big Brother acts as reassurance and a trustworthy entity for many. Yet ironically, he is also depicted as an invasive threat. It is believed that the Big Brother figure is symbolic of Stalin. The Party controls the citizens of Oceania through a combination of surveillance, terror, and propaganda. This reflects the oppressive nature of the Inner party and their determination to oppress the remaining levels of society. “From where Winston stood it was just possible to read, picked out on its white face in elegant lettering, the three slogans of the
Orwell and Lang denounce manipulation of modernized technology as a mechanism of autocratic control. Specifically, Orwell highlights the destructive effects of psychological manipulation on Oceanian society. Technology is used to manipulate society in …show more content…
This idea is reflective of the extreme fascist totalitarian regimes over Hitler’s Nazi Party and Stalin’s regime throughout Russia. Comparably to Metropolis, within 1984 there is an evident social hierarchy; The Elite Inner Party, Outer Party and the Proles. The condensed Inner Party ascertains control and authority through their symbolic ‘Big Brother’ leader. The face of the Party, Big Brother acts as reassurance and a trustworthy entity for many. Yet ironically, he is also depicted as an invasive threat. It is believed that the Big Brother figure is symbolic of Stalin. The Party controls the citizens of Oceania through a combination of surveillance, terror, and propaganda. This reflects the oppressive nature of the Inner party and their determination to oppress the remaining levels of society. “From where Winston stood it was just possible to read, picked out on its white face in elegant lettering, the three slogans of the