Andrew Niccol’s film Gattaca and George Orwell’s novel 1984 both present the potential danger of the future if society’s advancements with genetics and dictatorship are taken to extremes. Niccol’s Gattaca illustrates a human fascination with genetic engineering and the potential discrimination faced by those who have been conceived naturally in this futuristic, perfected world. Similarly, Orwell’s 1984 gives warning for the future as a totalitarian party enforces ultimate control over society. Through the utilisation of futuristic settings, the protagonists of both texts suffer with absolute constraint of freedom and discover themself to be an individual against the collective in an oppressed world. Themes of a dystopian society, class discrimination
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Class discrimination in Gattaca is made undeniable through the concept of illegal genetic testing, prominent at job interviews and exposed through exaggerated close ups on a door handle and an envelope, where traces of DNA is inevitable. Vincent’s voice over narration clarifies that “of course, it’s illegal to discriminate... but no-one takes the laws seriously.” Similarly, Orwell presents a hypothetical, futuristic society where class discrimination is obvious as the Inner Party examines the personal lives of society through hidden microphones and monitors known as “telescreens.” Telescreens are a reoccurring motif in 1984 to symbolise the Inner Party’s ultimate control, demonstrated with Winston’s recollection that “a nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself” are traits considered rebellious to the Party and therefore worthy of torture. This invasion of privacy only discriminates against the lower social classes with a member of the Party elucidating that “we can turn it off. We have that privilege.” Likewise, Niccol utilises motifs in Gattaca with the staircase of Vincent’s apartment, an ingenious element of mis en scene, intentionally characterising a DNA double helix. Niccol’s deliberate positioning of the staircase in the room, and framing of shots within the …show more content…
Orwell conveys isolation through Winston’s relationship with O’Brien, dreaming that “the place where there is no darkness” is where they will reunite. This heavily foreshadows the sterile Room 101, with O’Brien’s betrayal ultimately symbolic of Winston’s isolation. Likewise, through explicit use of juxtaposition, the final scene of Gattaca provides a perfect example of Eugene’s internal isolation. As Vincent is seen boarding the space ship, his dream finally a reality, Eugene is seen locking himself in an incinerator. Close ups of Vincent on the aircraft are contrasted against the silver swimming medal resting on Eugene’s chest, symbolic of not only his incompetency to be perfect despite his perfectly engineered genetics, but also of Vincent and Anton’s swimming races that initially sparked hope for Vincent’s future. The non-digetic music slows to exaggerate Vincent’s reflection on his accomplishment, and Eugene’s relief, to be ending his life. This saddening issue is prominent in the modern world, as suicide rates are seen climaxing over recent years. In this sense, isolation is further exemplified in 1984 as consistent emphasis on the third-person narrator illustrates that “in the moments of crisis one is never fighting against an external enemy, but always against one’s one body.” An obvious tone of empathy is
Class discrimination in Gattaca is made undeniable through the concept of illegal genetic testing, prominent at job interviews and exposed through exaggerated close ups on a door handle and an envelope, where traces of DNA is inevitable. Vincent’s voice over narration clarifies that “of course, it’s illegal to discriminate... but no-one takes the laws seriously.” Similarly, Orwell presents a hypothetical, futuristic society where class discrimination is obvious as the Inner Party examines the personal lives of society through hidden microphones and monitors known as “telescreens.” Telescreens are a reoccurring motif in 1984 to symbolise the Inner Party’s ultimate control, demonstrated with Winston’s recollection that “a nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself” are traits considered rebellious to the Party and therefore worthy of torture. This invasion of privacy only discriminates against the lower social classes with a member of the Party elucidating that “we can turn it off. We have that privilege.” Likewise, Niccol utilises motifs in Gattaca with the staircase of Vincent’s apartment, an ingenious element of mis en scene, intentionally characterising a DNA double helix. Niccol’s deliberate positioning of the staircase in the room, and framing of shots within the …show more content…
Orwell conveys isolation through Winston’s relationship with O’Brien, dreaming that “the place where there is no darkness” is where they will reunite. This heavily foreshadows the sterile Room 101, with O’Brien’s betrayal ultimately symbolic of Winston’s isolation. Likewise, through explicit use of juxtaposition, the final scene of Gattaca provides a perfect example of Eugene’s internal isolation. As Vincent is seen boarding the space ship, his dream finally a reality, Eugene is seen locking himself in an incinerator. Close ups of Vincent on the aircraft are contrasted against the silver swimming medal resting on Eugene’s chest, symbolic of not only his incompetency to be perfect despite his perfectly engineered genetics, but also of Vincent and Anton’s swimming races that initially sparked hope for Vincent’s future. The non-digetic music slows to exaggerate Vincent’s reflection on his accomplishment, and Eugene’s relief, to be ending his life. This saddening issue is prominent in the modern world, as suicide rates are seen climaxing over recent years. In this sense, isolation is further exemplified in 1984 as consistent emphasis on the third-person narrator illustrates that “in the moments of crisis one is never fighting against an external enemy, but always against one’s one body.” An obvious tone of empathy is