A comparison between the 2005 novel ‘Uglies’ by Scott Westerfeld and the 1998 film ‘The Truman Show’ directed by Peter Weir, reveals the many similarities and differences between the protagonists who live in controlled, simulated worlds and their decision to face their fears. Truman is unaware that his life is only a television show where he is just the director's puppet. On the other hand, Tally knows about the surgery that artificially/synthetically makes people 'pretty' and look alike, as well as that she is closely monitored. Even though both of them have conditioned fears, once they discover the realities of their worlds, they commit to confronting their fears. The author and director convey the message that it is better to face the ups
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Tally is aware that her life is being regulated whereas Truman is not. In Truman’s life, nothing happens without direction from the creator of the show and nothing happens without his knowledge. The boundaries that have been established for Truman are the most prominent sign of control in his life. All the commercials, travel brochures, newspapers and even the script is designed to discourage Truman from travelling or leaving the island. Cristof explains that using his surroundings to naturally control Truman is effective because “we accept the reality of the world which we are presented with”. In order to fulfil his wish to go to Fiji, when he attempts to leave, something or someone is always conveniently there to stop him. At the travel agent’s office, there were no flights available. Similarly, Truman’s road was blocked by a power plant leak, and if all else fails the crew will simply interfere and ensure he stays. Truman exclaims that he is “blocked at every turn”, suspecting that he is not only being watched but controlled. Much like Truman, boundaries are also a major part of effective control in Tally's life. The 'uglies' or those who have not undergone the operation are separated from everyone else and are forbidden from entering other parts of the city where such strict supervision is not enforced and interacting with anyone who is not an ugly. Cameras and …show more content…
The two protagonists share the fact that they both have had fears built into them which have become a form of control over them. However, they are driven by different motivations to conquer them. Truman’s fear of water is caused by a traumatic childhood experience where he is set up to believe that his father dies in a storm at sea. This event takes place specifically to keep Truman on the island and to stir up a fear of water inside him so the thought of leaving the island will never cross his mind. However, when Truman discovers that a boat is the only way off the set into the real world, he decides to rise above his fear of water by travelling in a boat towards his freedom. Despite the director's best efforts to thwart Truman, such as setting him up for intense physical challenges and a violent storm, Truman never looks back and hangs on to edge of his boat. Even when the boat capsizes, he finds his way back. No matter how difficult circumstances become, Truman keeps going powered by his determination. He hysterically yells out at the screen, "you never had a camera inside my head!”. Here, it becomes clear that his biggest advantage was his strong will and desire for freedom. Unlike Truman, it was not strong will that drove Tally to stand up to her fears but rather her fear itself. Tally is terrified of remaining an ugly for life, never turning
Tally is aware that her life is being regulated whereas Truman is not. In Truman’s life, nothing happens without direction from the creator of the show and nothing happens without his knowledge. The boundaries that have been established for Truman are the most prominent sign of control in his life. All the commercials, travel brochures, newspapers and even the script is designed to discourage Truman from travelling or leaving the island. Cristof explains that using his surroundings to naturally control Truman is effective because “we accept the reality of the world which we are presented with”. In order to fulfil his wish to go to Fiji, when he attempts to leave, something or someone is always conveniently there to stop him. At the travel agent’s office, there were no flights available. Similarly, Truman’s road was blocked by a power plant leak, and if all else fails the crew will simply interfere and ensure he stays. Truman exclaims that he is “blocked at every turn”, suspecting that he is not only being watched but controlled. Much like Truman, boundaries are also a major part of effective control in Tally's life. The 'uglies' or those who have not undergone the operation are separated from everyone else and are forbidden from entering other parts of the city where such strict supervision is not enforced and interacting with anyone who is not an ugly. Cameras and …show more content…
The two protagonists share the fact that they both have had fears built into them which have become a form of control over them. However, they are driven by different motivations to conquer them. Truman’s fear of water is caused by a traumatic childhood experience where he is set up to believe that his father dies in a storm at sea. This event takes place specifically to keep Truman on the island and to stir up a fear of water inside him so the thought of leaving the island will never cross his mind. However, when Truman discovers that a boat is the only way off the set into the real world, he decides to rise above his fear of water by travelling in a boat towards his freedom. Despite the director's best efforts to thwart Truman, such as setting him up for intense physical challenges and a violent storm, Truman never looks back and hangs on to edge of his boat. Even when the boat capsizes, he finds his way back. No matter how difficult circumstances become, Truman keeps going powered by his determination. He hysterically yells out at the screen, "you never had a camera inside my head!”. Here, it becomes clear that his biggest advantage was his strong will and desire for freedom. Unlike Truman, it was not strong will that drove Tally to stand up to her fears but rather her fear itself. Tally is terrified of remaining an ugly for life, never turning