Dystopia in Literature
Dystopia in Literature
Dystopia, a society in an oppressed and controlled state, is a common theme in world literature.
I have chosen texts 1984 by George Orwell, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey,
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and the film, V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue.
These texts display different types of repressive control systems and some even accurately predict today’s society's trends.
How do the characters react to their dystopian society?
In 1984, by George Orwell, Winston, the main character, resists his totalitarian government which he wants overthrown. Hating Big Brother's invasion of privacy and individual freedom, he decides to rebel and searches for answers from his memory and the past to find the truth behind the governments' constant lies. Since he is watched by the government and everyone around him 24/7, the only place he can carry out his rebellion is in his mind. His determination can be seen when he commits 'thoughtcrimes' by secretly writing a diary to reveal his oppressed inner thoughts and hatred against the party. This is risky considering that, "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death." He also wants to know about the past, a crime, since the past is constantly altered by the government. He believes as long as he keeps his rebellious spirit, the party cannot triumph over him. "They can’t get inside you. If you can feel that staying human is worth while, even when it can’t have any result whatever, you’ve beaten them." However, he is easily caught by the Thought Police who know his every move. They even know his greatest fear; rats, and use this to torture him into submission and false confession. As Winston and his former girlfriend are left broken and changed, it is terrifying to see how fear can overpower one’s spirit. In the end, his fear has transformed him into a obedient member of the party. Despite his failure to overthrow his corrupt government, his rebellious actions
Dystopia, a society in an oppressed and controlled state, is a common theme in world literature.
I have chosen texts 1984 by George Orwell, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey,
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and the film, V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue.
These texts display different types of repressive control systems and some even accurately predict today’s society's trends.
How do the characters react to their dystopian society?
In 1984, by George Orwell, Winston, the main character, resists his totalitarian government which he wants overthrown. Hating Big Brother's invasion of privacy and individual freedom, he decides to rebel and searches for answers from his memory and the past to find the truth behind the governments' constant lies. Since he is watched by the government and everyone around him 24/7, the only place he can carry out his rebellion is in his mind. His determination can be seen when he commits 'thoughtcrimes' by secretly writing a diary to reveal his oppressed inner thoughts and hatred against the party. This is risky considering that, "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death." He also wants to know about the past, a crime, since the past is constantly altered by the government. He believes as long as he keeps his rebellious spirit, the party cannot triumph over him. "They can’t get inside you. If you can feel that staying human is worth while, even when it can’t have any result whatever, you’ve beaten them." However, he is easily caught by the Thought Police who know his every move. They even know his greatest fear; rats, and use this to torture him into submission and false confession. As Winston and his former girlfriend are left broken and changed, it is terrifying to see how fear can overpower one’s spirit. In the end, his fear has transformed him into a obedient member of the party. Despite his failure to overthrow his corrupt government, his rebellious actions