In recent decades, dystopian society has become an exceedingly common fear in society. Two literary works that forebode of a coming time where freedoms are taken away are 1984 and “Harrison Bergeron”. These two dystopian plots convey warnings to society to pay attention to those in power. In 1984, George Orwell uses an ironic and haunting tone which communicates heavily through propaganda as well as literary devices. Kurt Vonnegut Jr. also uses irony and propaganda to promote a satirical as well as sarcastic tone. Through these devices, the authors broadcast their warning to pay closely observe the changes that society undergoes lest an absolute is reached. 1984 is set in a dystopian society where Big Brother controls all aspects of life.
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A specific piece of sarcasm is when the 211th, 212th, and 213th are mentioned because the U. S. Constitution has no where near that many amendments (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Furthermore, the fact that people of average intelligence thought in only short bursts when in actuality, people of average intelligence do not think in short bursts, but can actually carry a conversation (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Dramatic irony is also used through the fact that George and Hazel are oblivious to the reality of society while the reader can see the entire picture (Vonnegut Jr. 6). In addition, the ballerina masks are ironic because it is an ugly mask that hides the beauty beneath (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Harrison himself is ironic because he is a hyperbole meaning that no one is actually that strong, tall and handsome (Vonnegut Jr. 4). When describing his hinderances, they all sound preposterous. He had a red rubber ball on his nose, tremendous earphones, and thick wavy glasses (Vonnegut Jr. 4). This makes him sound more like a clown from a rodeo and less like someone that harbors grounds to fear them. This satiric tone gives the story a level of ridiculousness that many would laugh at, if not for the weight of the message it …show more content…
An important piece of propaganda is the utilization of the television. Through the dancers on the program, a portrayal of equality is demonstrated. No dancer is better or prettier than any of the others. It is recognized that the performers would have been equal with anyone who tried to dance with them (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Another example through the television is the display of the announcer with a speech impediment (Vonnegut Jr. 3). This contributes to the sarcastic satirical tone because in reality, no announcer with a speech impediment would be granted that responsibility. In addition, a harsh piece of propaganda lies in the noise transmitters which prevent the intellectually gifted from excelling beyond the rest of the population (Vonnegut Jr. 1). These are ironic because they resemble a hearing aid, but they are quite the opposite in this story. These examples of propaganda effectively endorse the satirical tone with the especial use of
A specific piece of sarcasm is when the 211th, 212th, and 213th are mentioned because the U. S. Constitution has no where near that many amendments (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Furthermore, the fact that people of average intelligence thought in only short bursts when in actuality, people of average intelligence do not think in short bursts, but can actually carry a conversation (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Dramatic irony is also used through the fact that George and Hazel are oblivious to the reality of society while the reader can see the entire picture (Vonnegut Jr. 6). In addition, the ballerina masks are ironic because it is an ugly mask that hides the beauty beneath (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Harrison himself is ironic because he is a hyperbole meaning that no one is actually that strong, tall and handsome (Vonnegut Jr. 4). When describing his hinderances, they all sound preposterous. He had a red rubber ball on his nose, tremendous earphones, and thick wavy glasses (Vonnegut Jr. 4). This makes him sound more like a clown from a rodeo and less like someone that harbors grounds to fear them. This satiric tone gives the story a level of ridiculousness that many would laugh at, if not for the weight of the message it …show more content…
An important piece of propaganda is the utilization of the television. Through the dancers on the program, a portrayal of equality is demonstrated. No dancer is better or prettier than any of the others. It is recognized that the performers would have been equal with anyone who tried to dance with them (Vonnegut Jr. 1). Another example through the television is the display of the announcer with a speech impediment (Vonnegut Jr. 3). This contributes to the sarcastic satirical tone because in reality, no announcer with a speech impediment would be granted that responsibility. In addition, a harsh piece of propaganda lies in the noise transmitters which prevent the intellectually gifted from excelling beyond the rest of the population (Vonnegut Jr. 1). These are ironic because they resemble a hearing aid, but they are quite the opposite in this story. These examples of propaganda effectively endorse the satirical tone with the especial use of