Similarly, Orwell’s 1984 forewarns the consequences of a communist government through the Party’s physical and psychological indoctrination to achieve unperturbed supremacy. He reflects the paranoia of a similar fate following the destruction of civil liberties and the rise of a totalitarian government in Stalinist Russia. The contrast between Winston’s “rotting…and sordid” flat and the towering “vast and white” Ministry pyramids reveals the subjugation of the lower class under the Party’s control. This is similar to the dystopian structure in Metropolis where the workers are exploited by the capitalist elite. The Party’s paradoxical slogan, “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” exemplifies their psychological control over
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Orwell emphasises the totalitarian desire to eradicate free thought to maintain the Party’s power and thus criticises the dehumanisation in individuals through the metonym, “a nation…thinking the same thoughts…with the same face.” In a naturalistic novel form, Orwell reveals the pursuit for political power through psychological and physical indoctrination of the working class supresses humanity and individualistic thought. Thus, regardless of differing contexts, both texts synonymously advocate against a group or individual obtaining excess power by demonstrating the negative effects on oppressed …show more content…
Orwell reflects The Great purges and Moscow Show Trials in Soviet Russia which allowed Stalin to achieve absolute power by silencing all dissent. The extent of the Party’s suppression of human instincts is revealed through Winston’s omniscient narration, “always in you stomach there was a dull protest, that you were cheated of something you had a right to.” Thus, he can only protest silently. This is contrasted to Metropolis’ outspoken hero. Winston’s sexual relationship with Julia is a metaphorical “blow struck against the Party…a political act” as he challenges the Party’s suppression of human sexuality and relationships. However, during the arrest of Julia and Winston, the coral paperweight, symbolic of Winston’s untainted freedom and attempts to understand the real past, is “smashed into pieces.” Winston exclamation “how small it always was!” signifies the Party’s domineering power which makes it impossible for the individual to rebel against. Winston’s eventual submission under the Party’s torture is revealed through the metaphor, “the long-hope-for bullet entered (Winston’s) brain.” This reveals the Party’s ability to eradicate his autonomy and break the human spirit. Ultimately, Orwell warns the dangers of a totalitarian government to urge society to pursue democratic socialism. Thus, Lang’s optimistic perspective
Orwell emphasises the totalitarian desire to eradicate free thought to maintain the Party’s power and thus criticises the dehumanisation in individuals through the metonym, “a nation…thinking the same thoughts…with the same face.” In a naturalistic novel form, Orwell reveals the pursuit for political power through psychological and physical indoctrination of the working class supresses humanity and individualistic thought. Thus, regardless of differing contexts, both texts synonymously advocate against a group or individual obtaining excess power by demonstrating the negative effects on oppressed …show more content…
Orwell reflects The Great purges and Moscow Show Trials in Soviet Russia which allowed Stalin to achieve absolute power by silencing all dissent. The extent of the Party’s suppression of human instincts is revealed through Winston’s omniscient narration, “always in you stomach there was a dull protest, that you were cheated of something you had a right to.” Thus, he can only protest silently. This is contrasted to Metropolis’ outspoken hero. Winston’s sexual relationship with Julia is a metaphorical “blow struck against the Party…a political act” as he challenges the Party’s suppression of human sexuality and relationships. However, during the arrest of Julia and Winston, the coral paperweight, symbolic of Winston’s untainted freedom and attempts to understand the real past, is “smashed into pieces.” Winston exclamation “how small it always was!” signifies the Party’s domineering power which makes it impossible for the individual to rebel against. Winston’s eventual submission under the Party’s torture is revealed through the metaphor, “the long-hope-for bullet entered (Winston’s) brain.” This reveals the Party’s ability to eradicate his autonomy and break the human spirit. Ultimately, Orwell warns the dangers of a totalitarian government to urge society to pursue democratic socialism. Thus, Lang’s optimistic perspective