The fear of the unknown is the greatest fear one may face. However, that ideology may be examined when one is faced with a cruel familiar. Would mankind rather face the endless possibilities of the darkness of the unknown or the darkness of a wicked reality they already possess night goggles for? This psychological conflict is depicted in both George Orwell's novel 1984 and Ishan Shukla's short film, Schirkoa, in which both protagonists must choose between battling repressive systems of order or submitting to greater powers. The central topic of 1984 is the massive power disparity between citizens, the government, and Big Brother. Schirkoa, too, is concerned with oppression and an amoral regime. While both storylines deal with corrupt systems of order, a lack of individualism, and treachery, there are distinctions in the execution and efficacy of the themes; with 1984 being the one that better forewarns …show more content…
Characters in both works are similar in terms of how they dress, talk, act, and, to some extent, even appear. The only sense of individuality within citizens can be seen physically. All residents share the same thought process, obey the same regulations, and cheer for death on the same matter. This is portrayed when “Winston found that he was shouting with the others and kicking his heel violently against the rung of his chair. The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but that it was impossible to avoid joining in” ( Orwell 18, 19 ). This erasure of one's true personality, transforming them into helpless followers, exemplifies not just Big Brother's influence over citizens, but also the power of the law and the media over many people from many sectors of life. Numerous people are unable to show themselves as they choose due to misconceptions and the threat of legal repercussions— such