Comparative Essay Example: 1984 and The Pedestrian

Introduction:

What conjures human experiences? Today I’ll be analysing George Orwell’s dystopian fiction “1984” and Ray Bradbury’s science fiction “ The pedestrian”. Both authors share the same view cautioning the reader about the consequences of a totalitarian society using metaphors, symbolism and diction the text describes a futuristic stance on what society may become. Leeching off Orwell’s first-hand experience of the Totalitarian reign of Stalin and Hitler, writing “ 1984” at the end of WWII. He draws from the hatred of these political ideals, to create novels in hopes of destroying such political authority for generations to come. Like Orwell, Bradbury stems from personal experience and interaction with a police officer questioning their activities walking along the street provoking fear in Bradbury, sparking the flames for “ The Pedestrian” a short story that points out the dangers of technology and a conforming dominated society. 

Body 1:

Throughout time Individualism has promoted freedom and self-realisation, Orwell Portrays this through Winston and his journey to rebel against the party. Orwell demonstrates this free agency starting in part 1 chapter 7 Winston notes the psychological manipulation of “2+2=5” a symbolic representation of truth manipulation, a recurring motif that foreshadows the downfall of Winston. This statement of 2+2=5” is Juxtaposed with Winston’s “2+2=4” as he sees through the manipulation of The party, this “Freedom to say 2+2=4” an experience that liberated He from the party’s autonomy now spawned his own ideals in a form of rebellion against Ingsoc. Due to Winston’s memories stretching before the time of the Party’s rule, he is classified as “corrupted” as he still had the desire of sexual needs, this motif of sex, love and desire reoccur throughout the text aiding Winston in the revolution of control from the party. Orwell continues this trend using the symbolism of Winston’s and Julia’s relationship in part 2 the words “I LOVE YOU” written on a scrap piece of paper Imbues Winston with emotions of passion and a desire for intimacy with Julia conveying Winston’s individuality of experiencing love has triggered an understanding of taking a risk even potential deaths as he knows it is punishable, all because Julia makes him feel alive despite being a state of mindless euphoria as it unravels his sexual repression a rebellious act exhibiting self-identity. Bradbury continues the idea of the individual’s freedom of rights through Leonard Mead, it presents him to be a non-conforming Patreon of this world's society as “Mr Leonard Mead most dearly loved to do.” stating his individualistic expression of the experience of love for a routine in this case “sometimes he would walk for hours and miles” of the “empty” neighbourhood streets at night expressing his enjoyment of this trivial action shown to be outdated in the current climate portrayed through diction “grey phantoms” and "tomb-like” moreover providing bleak, eerie imagery of the environment the society resides in “he was alone in this world of 2053 A. D.” 

Body 2:

Totalitarian Societies have been known to be a master of manipulation of the collective and individual, able to snuff out and demolish the faintest scent of freedom by segregation of the idea of the individual, consequently, moulding their citizens through this dehumanising experience. Orwell introduces to the reader the idea of human experience to shape a person giving a sense of control, Ingsoc develops a language called newspeak that diminishes the range of thought and social aspect that the denizens of Airstrip 1 pride themselves on. Creating a scenario where the lack of human experience subverts self-expression and free will applying the idea of control in the collective mind. Part 3 reinforces the notion that experiences can bring on emotions to incept an idea into an individual. This comes in form of Winston’s torture as he betrays Julia as he doesn’t “care what you do to her” ultimately revealing that love the most liberating force is not powerful enough against the party. We can see the aftermath of Winston's torturous experience as he sits in a café writing out “2+2=5” in the dust of the table looking up at a screen he sees a picture of big brother “ But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” This use of irony showcases the traumatic experience to bring a fear upon Winston now supporting the ideals of the party, joining the hive mind of Ingsoc as he has lost his identity and free will. Bradbury notes the power of the suppression of freedom through the theme of technological advancement altering the societal norm to be glued to "ill-lit television light”; it questions whether the advancements have made people progress or regress. This idea is supported by Mr Mead’s arrest where the autonomous police car the only one in a city of millions, presenting itself as a semiotic of a totalitarian society, transports Mead “To the Psychiatric Centre for Research on Regressive Tendencies” instilling fear and confusion into mead as he is taken away from his neighbourhood constructing a picture of the power in this conformity dominate society. 

Conclusion:

In closing George Orwell and Ray Bradbury extend their personal experience into writing using heavy symbolism, metaphors and diction to convey themes of love, fear and manipulation. I have learnt that the context of these texts was to portray a potential future and warn the audience about the imminent consequences of these scenarios.