When discussing the topic of censorship by government in the future, one would most likely reference the two novels 1984 by George Orwell and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury both portray a similar dystopian theme. Both of these novels center around the same idea of a grim future ahead of society and imply the same plot of the ability to control people through censorship. They provide two similar characters who secretly rebel against a higher authority than themselves and a government who restrict the use of literature. Although many characteristics are shared between these books, several differences are found throughout the book on the how the characters reaction and the plot development.
Both of these books start with one main protagonist who secretly rebel against a higher authority. Winston from 1984 lives in a society that is governed by the Inner Party and ultimately controlled by a figure referred to as “Big Brother”. No members are allowed to speak out or defy the Inner Party. Every house or street contains a telescreen which monitors all actions of the people. If any individual opposed Big Brother’s way of opinion, that person will be arrested and vaporized by the Thought Police. Winston despises the way Big Brother operates, but is forced to keep his opinion to himself. Even though the Inner Party can monitor everything anyone does and convince you that even “2 + 2 = 5”( pg 293 ) Winston still secretly rebels against them even though he knows he has no power against them. He secretly acts as the “average joe” pretending to hate the current enemy of the party, but secretly inside his mind he loathes Big Brother. To add to the hatred, Winston writes in a diary, which is an act of rebellion against the Party, “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” over and over again. He repeatedly opposes Big Brother by having a love affair and trying to join the opposing party.
The Term Paper on Big Brothers/Big Sister
Running Head: BB/BS Open Arms and Open Hearts: Big Brothers/Big Sisters Pamela Naughton Rucker Mrs. McKibbin EH 322-04 March 19, 2001 OUTLINE Thesis Statement: The Big Brother/Big Sisters program was designed to help children from single parent homes. The program matches children with positive adult role models. I. Beginning a. History-BB/BS began as early at the 1900’s. b. Facts and ...
Whereas in Fahrenheit 451 the protagonist Guy Montag is a third-generation fireman who burns book in a futuristic American city. Instead of the present where firemen stop the fires, Guy Montag starts them. Any book reading, naturing enjoying or time spending with others is banned in this society. Instead they watch numerous hours of television and listen to the radio. At first Guy believes that burning books is righteous, but he experiences various disturbing events including his wife, Mildred attempting to suicide and an old woman who chooses to be burned alive along with her books. Guy slowly begins to question the society he lives in and feels dissatisfied with his life. He disobeys the government and his duties and begins hiding books to read secretly at home.
He is found out, but is given 24 hours until they burn the book to see how horrid books are. In the time given, Guy secretly rebels with the book, reading as much as possible, introducing its knowledge to his wife’s friend, and even requesting help to further understand it. As time progresses, however, the next book burning alarm goes off and Guy finds himself at his own house. His captain orders him to burn all his books and again Guy disobeys by burning his captain to ashes. Guy now acts as a renegade escaping from the government and their “mechanical hounds” and soon join a group of survivors who oppose the government and memorize books to pass it down generations.
Both societies have a government who restrict the use of literature. They ban all literature to keep people ignorant and in order. By banning anything that provokes thought or any causes that may form curiosity in the human mind, the government is able to narrow the human mind to a fundamental and basic level. When brought to this level, the people can be easily manipulated. In 1984 the government hire workers that changed documents that went off “Big Brother’s” beliefs. Winston acknowledges the censorship by saying, “In this way every prediction made by the Party could be shown by documentary evidence to have been correct; nor was any item of news, or any expression of opinion, which conflicted with the needs of the moment, ever allowed to remain on record.”( pg 42 ).
The Essay on Government by the People
The population growth has caused concern for many Americans because of the terms of numbers and poverty that comes with this growth. There is a pattern showing of wealth transferring from poorer nations to the richer nations of the globe and the information technology revolution is speeding this cycle up. With population growth reaching new heights new concerns for increasing urban growth has ...
On the other hand, Fahrenheit 451 has a government who manipulates the people to believe that they do not want any books. This creates the censorship that the government uses to keep the people submissive. As the captain of the firefighters tries to tell Guy why burning books was good. She shows a old book saying that Ben Franklin was the first book burner and how they should act, “Established, 1790, to burn English-influenced books in the Colonies. First Fireman: Benjamin Franklin.” RULE 1. Answer the alarm swiftly. 2. Start the fire swiftly. 3. Burn everything. 4. Report back to firehouse immediately. 5. Stand alert for other alarms.”( pg 34-35 ) This is how Ray Bradbury portrays the government and how the government can censor things and bend it to their liking.
