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Brave New World And 1984 Similarities

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Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and 1984 by George Orwell are two of the most significant dystopian novels of the last century written during times of war. Both works portray the dangers of totalitarianism and the control that a government can exert over its citizens. While they have many differences, a careful reading reveals that there are several similarities in the ways that they depict Social Control and History. This essay will explore these similarities and differences. In both novels, Social Control is exercised through a variety of methods and instruments. In Brave New World, citizens are conditioned from birth to love their predetermined social roles and to avoid strong emotions or independent thinking. They are constantly monitored …show more content…

In Brave New World, characters are relatively content with their roles in society, as they have been conditioned to be so. The citizens are taught to embrace the concept of “everyone belongs to everyone else” (Huxley 40). They accept the restrictions placed upon them and do not question the status quo. In contrast, the characters in 1984 are oppressed and taught to embrace the concept of “groupthink”, with even the main character Winston Smith being unable to conform to the Party’s demands (Orwell 21). Winston’s desire for individuality and freedom leads him to rebel against the Party, ultimately leading to his torture and reconditioning. The difference of individuality reflected exemplifies the different ways in which the two works approach the concept of …show more content…

In Brave New World, history is used as a means of conditioning citizens to accept their place in society. In the opening scene of the novel, the Director of the Hatchery explains to a group of students that “we make them hate solitude, and we arrange their lives so that it’s almost impossible for them to ever hate it” (Huxley 33). By manipulating history and using it to shape citizens’ perceptions of the world, the government can control their thoughts and behaviors. Similarly, in 1984, history is rewritten to serve the interests of the ruling party. The protagonist, Winston Smith, works at the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to rewrite historical records to fit the current narrative. This manipulation of history serves to reinforce the party’s control over the minds of the citizens. Winston is tasked with altering the past to make it appear as though the party’s current position has always been the truth. This use of history as a tool for control is evident in Winston’s thoughts: “He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past” (Orwell

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