Organize this essay below into 7-8 paragraphs (intro, arguments, conclusion)
George Orwell’s 1984 is a classic dystopian novel that has had a lasting impact on popular culture and political discourse. The novel is set in a totalitarian society in which the government wields complete control over the lives of its citizens and is constantly at war with other countries. The main character, Winston Smith, is a low-ranking member of the Party, the ruling political organization, who becomes disillusioned with the regime and begins secretly rebelling against it. One of the main themes of 1984 is the power of the government to manipulate and control the thoughts and actions of its citizens through propaganda, surveillance, and censorship. The Party uses slogans, propaganda, and controlled media to shape public opinion and maintain its power. It also uses telescreens, which are essentially two-way televisions that can monitor people’s actions and thoughts, to keep an eye on everyone and ensure that they remain loyal to the regime. The Party also prohibits certain forms of expression and punishes those who dare to peak out against it. Another theme of the novel is the importance of individuality and personal freedom. Winston, the main character, is an individual who is fed up with the oppressive nature of the regime and longs for a world where he can think and act freely. He rebels against the Party and its strict rules and regulations, and ultimately pays a heavy price for his defiance. 1984 is a cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of oppression. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of individual freedom and the dangers of allowing any one organization or government to wield too much power.Dystopian societies, as depicted in literature and film, often serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of giving too much power to a single group or government. George Orwell’s 1984 and Elysium, a 2013 film directed by Neill Blomkamp, are both examples of dystopian stories that explore the consequences of such power dynamics. While both works present a bleak vision of the future, they differ in their portrayal of the oppressive regimes and the characters who resist them. In 1984, the Party maintained control over every aspect of its citizens’ lives through propaganda, surveillance, and censorship. The Party’s slogans, such as “WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH,” serve to manipulate the public’s perception of reality and reinforce the regime’s power. As Winston Smith, the main character, reflects, “Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it” (Orwell 7). The Party’s use of telescreens, which monitor citizens’ actions and thoughts, further demonstrates its desire to control every aspect of its citizens’ lives. Elysium presents a similar vision of a society in which a powerful elite exerts control over the lives of the majority. In this case, the elite live on a luxurious space station called Elysium, while the rest of the population is confined to a polluted and overpopulated Earth. The government of Elysium, led by Secretary Delacourt, uses robots to enforce strict immigration laws and maintain its power over the citizens of Earth. In one scene, Delacourt justifies the use of force against illegal immigrants by stating, “We are protecting Elysium. We are protecting our way of life” (Elysium). This statement reflects the elitist mentality of the Elysian government, which values its own comfort and security above the needs of the majority of its citizens. Both 1984 and Elysium depict characters who resist the oppressive regimes in which they live. In 1984, Winston Smith is a low-ranking member of the Party who becomes disillusioned with the regime and begins secretly rebelling against it. He is drawn to the idea of a group called the Brotherhood, which is rumored to be working to overthrow the Party, and begins writing in a diary as a way of expressing his rebellion. As he writes, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows” (Orwell 35). Winston’s desire for freedom and truth, even in the face of immense danger, ultimately leads to his downfall. In Elysium, Max, the main character, is a former car thief who becomes embroiled in a plot to overthrow the Elysian government after he is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. Max’s quest for a better life on Elysium is driven by his desire to save his own life and the life of his childhood friend, Frey, who is suffering from a terminal illness. As he prepares to go to Elysium, Max declares, “I’m going to Elysium to save my life and the lives of everyone on this [planet]” (Elysium). Max’s determination to fight for a better future, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, ultimately leads to the downfall of the Elysian government. While both 1984 and Elysium present a bleak vision of the future, they differ in the way they portray the characters who resist the oppressive regimes in which they live. In 1984, Winston is a solitary figure who rebels against the Party, while in Elysium, Max leads a group of rebels in their fight against the Elysian government. This difference reflects the different ways in which the two works approach the theme of resistance. In 1984, Winston’s rebellion is ultimately unsuccessful, and he is punished for his defiance. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of standing up to a powerful regime. In contrast, Elysium portrays Max and the rebels as ultimately successful in their efforts to overthrow the Elysian government, suggesting that resistance can lead to positive change. Despite these differences, both 1984 and Elysium present a vision of a future in which a powerful elite exerts control over the lives of the majority. In 1984, the Party wields its power through propaganda, surveillance, and censorship, while in Elysium, the Elysian government uses its advanced technology and resources to maintain its power over the citizens of Earth. In both works, the characters who resist the oppressive regimes are driven by a desire for freedom and a better life, and are willing to take great risks in order to achieve these goals. Overall, 1984 and Elysium present cautionary tales about the dangers of allowing a single group or government to wield too much power. Both works explore the consequences of such power dynamics, and demonstrate the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of oppression. While the two works differ in the way they portray the characters who resist the oppressive regimes in which they live, they both present a bleak vision of a future in which individual freedom is threatened by the actions of a powerful elite.
