Fahrenheit 451 And 1984

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All humans have an intrinsic desire for power. Although some may disagree, the control of information is the best way to maintain power because it allows the truth to be altered, it sways public opinion, and it is crucial for suppressing rebellion. In George Orwell’s 1984, Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, responsible for rewriting history. The ministry alters the truth until “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been re-written, every picture has been re-painted, every statue and street and building has been renamed, every date has been altered. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” (Orwell 162) Orwell uses the Ministry of Truth as a symbol of the party’s overwhelming power …show more content…

The government uses eye scanners to identify, locate, and monitor individuals. For instance, when John Anderton was being hunted down, the police were able to send a squadron of officers to intercept him. He could only escape when he obtained a new set of eyes to avoid the scanners. By using this constant surveillance, the government is able to stop rebels from harming their interests. Eye scanners are a symbol of the government’s constant surveillance and are used to eliminate potential dangers before they develop into problems. In Fahrenheit 451, the government suppresses rebellion by systematically removing individuality and the ability to think critically. This is done through not only the burning of books but also through wallscreens which provide constant, mind-numbing “entertainment”. These wallscreens are used by the government to distract the people and prevent them from thinking too deeply about their actions or situation. This is shown when Montag reflects upon his relationship with Mildred thinking, “Well, wasn't there a wall between him and Mildred. Literally not just one wall, but so far, three!. No matter when he came in, the walls were always talking to Mildred.” (Bradbury