In the novels 1984, and The Book Thief, George Orwell and Markus Zusak, respectively, portray the power of words by adopting similar literary techniques. Both authors portray the influence language has through setting. Zusak uses a Germanic; World War 2 setting that is highly oppressive towards language in order to highlight the great influence it has on society. Similarly, Orwell adopts a desolate, war-ravaged setting wherein Big Brother, an ‘all seeing’ totalitarian figure, controls society’s every action, limiting even speech. By adopting a 3rd person, limited omniscient narrative style, readers gain a deeper understanding of the power of words through both texts. Orwell and Zusak commonly foreshadow key events in their novels pertaining to their theme.
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In 1984 and The Book Thief, both authors adopt setting to convey the large influence language holds. Both contain an overbearing, dominating leader that cruelly rules over the masses. Hitler in The Book Thief, and Big Brother in 1984 are stationed the apex of the Nazi Party, and the Party, respectively. In each novel, both tyrants employ language as a driving tool to empower themselves and control society. Liesel, the protagonist of The Book Thief, is ridiculed and embarrassed by her illiteracy through the opening portion of the novel. Zusak introduces this pressure within her school to evoke the readers understanding of the power language has in influencing emotion and desires. Nazi Germany: a microcosm of society wherein Hitler’s words reign over all. The enormity of his influence is seen by the war torn setting, just one man is the causal factor of great destruction and suffering. In parallel, Big Brother in 1984 looks down upon his submissive society. However, contrastingly, Big Brother is simply a figurehead of the Party, an authoritative entity that embodies the Party’s prosecution. Mere speech is
In 1984 and The Book Thief, both authors adopt setting to convey the large influence language holds. Both contain an overbearing, dominating leader that cruelly rules over the masses. Hitler in The Book Thief, and Big Brother in 1984 are stationed the apex of the Nazi Party, and the Party, respectively. In each novel, both tyrants employ language as a driving tool to empower themselves and control society. Liesel, the protagonist of The Book Thief, is ridiculed and embarrassed by her illiteracy through the opening portion of the novel. Zusak introduces this pressure within her school to evoke the readers understanding of the power language has in influencing emotion and desires. Nazi Germany: a microcosm of society wherein Hitler’s words reign over all. The enormity of his influence is seen by the war torn setting, just one man is the causal factor of great destruction and suffering. In parallel, Big Brother in 1984 looks down upon his submissive society. However, contrastingly, Big Brother is simply a figurehead of the Party, an authoritative entity that embodies the Party’s prosecution. Mere speech is