Similarities Between 1984 And Fahrenheit 451

Dystopian governments that rule the people through the control of the flow of information and a system of mass media becomes a common theme in both 1984 & Fahrenheit 451, although they become noticeably different to a certain extent. 1984 by George Orwell is a novel that relies heavily on brain washing and tyrannical policies that involve mass surveillance and exploitation as the Party cares for the process, not the result. On the contrary, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury prefers to use television to control the minds of the population, while implying the government would gladly “burn” the opposition to reach their goal, as they care for the end result more than the process. The idea of using media was a way of manipulation for the government,

Through the forms of manipulation and modernization, the Party manages to ensure and ascertain control, especially involving technology. Oceanians cannot expect privacy due to the Party’s use of advanced surveillance by placing telescreens and covert microphones all across Oceania. The image and slogan, “… BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” is a constant reminder that the citizens of Oceania are being observed and their actions can be potentially exposed following penalizing actions (pg.2). With Big Brother’s face publicized on posters, telescreens and even coins, it often becomes difficult for citizens to dissent the rules of the Party as most are soon willing to believe what the Party informs them. Oceanians are used to living in a constant state of supervision with invasive machinery, which is so advanced that even the “smallest” sign of “abnormality” “could give you away” (pg.62). Editing and modifying past history in the forms of various media (newspapers, books, films, etc.) allows the Party to manipulate the present and future through the minds of individuals of

By becoming a substitute for family, friendship, and any sort of relationship or conversation, the TV poses as an enemy to society. The brainwashed individuals lose their freedom through a dominant influence (television). Those in power controls all the news and entertainment channels, and as a result, these citizens only view the things the regime wants them to see. This becomes one of the main reasons why few people attempt to change the status quo of society, since they are being “witness[ed] move by move” (pg. 104). Due to the fact that nobody knows what is actually happening, the public develops the custom of being perfectly content to live in a world filled with conformity, suppression, and death. The emptiness of the society can inferred from Mildred herself, especially when she labels the TV her “family” (pg.46). The citizens’ create a perfect illusion by forming a false connection with the characters on TV, to a point where they think it’s reality, thus, proving that overwhelming people with perception substitutes thinking. The people are completely controlled and their opinions are based on whatever media tells them it should be. This makes it easy for the government to lead people to believe the craziest, like burning all books in