Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of the society in which Winston lives is the fact that what you think in your own head isn’t safe. To punish one for their thoughts is outrageous. If people heard what I thought most of the time I surely would not survive long in Oceania. Your head should always be your sanctuary. Whether you’re in a room full of people or alone in your house, your thoughts should always be safe.
Now I think the right to your own mind is interesting considering the way I intend to look at my big question. Using the novels as well as science, I would like to examine whether or not mankind should strive for a utopia. Because of leaps in genetic technology, perfecting the human race is a scientific question on the horizon. Soon, we will be able to cure genetic diseases with simple treatments. As technology advances, we may be able to alter genes for intelligence, athletic ability, and even appearance. What many people don’t know is that they don’t own their own genes. Companies who have unlocked the genetic code do. Each time a disease is discovered on a gene, the discoverers can patent the gene and own exclusive rights to test for the gene and to develop its cures. So if you don’t even own your basic makeup, do you still own your thoughts?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Big Question
The big question I will be considering for my George Orwell essay will be:
“Should mankind strive for a utopian society?”
Both works examine societies that once aimed for some form of a utopia. However, the evidence of their failure is overwhelming and the toll it has taken on the inhabitants is evident.
In the allegorical novel Animal Farm, the animals drove out Mr. Jones in an attempt to give themselves a better life. However, things went awry after the pigs seized power and the laws on which they built their new nation were altered, much like the shift from Communist ideals to the dictatorship that occurred in the Soviet Union. Instead of a better life, the animals on the farm were forced to work longer hours with reduced rations. On top of that, they were lied to by their own government.
In 1984, Winston Smith fights the oppression he finds under the leadership of Big Brother and the Party. In this novel, the dystopian society has already sunk into the depths of terror and despair. Escaping the watchful eye of Big Brother is impossible as he presses into every aspect of people’s lives-work, home, love, knowledge, etc. Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of the society is the hopelessness of rebellion. One cannot even express themselves because even the children are spies created by Big Brother. Simply thinking of rebellion is a punishable crime.
“Should mankind strive for a utopian society?”
Both works examine societies that once aimed for some form of a utopia. However, the evidence of their failure is overwhelming and the toll it has taken on the inhabitants is evident.
In the allegorical novel Animal Farm, the animals drove out Mr. Jones in an attempt to give themselves a better life. However, things went awry after the pigs seized power and the laws on which they built their new nation were altered, much like the shift from Communist ideals to the dictatorship that occurred in the Soviet Union. Instead of a better life, the animals on the farm were forced to work longer hours with reduced rations. On top of that, they were lied to by their own government.
In 1984, Winston Smith fights the oppression he finds under the leadership of Big Brother and the Party. In this novel, the dystopian society has already sunk into the depths of terror and despair. Escaping the watchful eye of Big Brother is impossible as he presses into every aspect of people’s lives-work, home, love, knowledge, etc. Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of the society is the hopelessness of rebellion. One cannot even express themselves because even the children are spies created by Big Brother. Simply thinking of rebellion is a punishable crime.
Animal Farm: Pigs in Power
Everywhere you look, there are people in power. The extent of their power varies greatly depending on what they are in charge of, but no matter what, there are people dominating other people everywhere you look. Some run governments, others run companies, and still others just dominate their friends and family. Usually, the majority of the ‘common’ people resent these power figures. It is interesting to me that in Animal Farm, the animals that seize control after the expulsion of Mr. Jones are pigs. Beside the Communist Pig point George Orwell was making in his novel, perhaps he is also suggesting the commonly revolting nature of the world's power seekers. Pigs may be the most intelligent farm animals, but they are also the most disgusting. Have you ever seen a pig pen (or smelled one)? Not only do they stink, but they have a terribly mean disposition and will literally eat anything and everything, including their own kind. Likewise, the people you see at the top of the power food chain do not get there by being vegetarians (they may be vegetarians, just not in a piggy figurative sense, I don’t actually know what they eat). But how often do you find people who like pigs or politicians? And do you typically find politicians being described as kind? No. Pigs are bred and raised for slaughter, meant to be eaten by the people above them.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Animal Farm: The Seven Commandments
Founding Commandments:
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.
Altered Commandments:
1. No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
2. No animal shall drink alcohol in excess.
3. No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.
Final Commandment:
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
All organizations, states, nations, etc. in the world are founded on some form of "Commandments". If they weren't, why would there be a need for them at all? Whether it is a Mission Statement or a Constitution, it is what people use to accomplish great things. When society begins to drift away from these founding principles, there is a loss of purpose and direction. For example, Americans pride themselves on their right to freedom of speech. However, we occasionally find that things have been censured, and that is very upsetting to the American people. How dare they take away what our Founding Fathers fought for? And what if Christianity didn't have its ten commandments? There is not a more simple explaination of Christian law. It is no surprise then that we see the society in Animal Farm crumble when the pigs begin to change the commandments. After all, there is no reason for expelling Mr. Jones if things are going to be the same as before the revolution. The comandments gave them an outline of the law. Not even the ruling body can alter something as fundamental as a society's founding principles. There would be no society left, clearly what we see as Animal Farm draws to a close.
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.
Altered Commandments:
1. No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
2. No animal shall drink alcohol in excess.
3. No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.
Final Commandment:
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
All organizations, states, nations, etc. in the world are founded on some form of "Commandments". If they weren't, why would there be a need for them at all? Whether it is a Mission Statement or a Constitution, it is what people use to accomplish great things. When society begins to drift away from these founding principles, there is a loss of purpose and direction. For example, Americans pride themselves on their right to freedom of speech. However, we occasionally find that things have been censured, and that is very upsetting to the American people. How dare they take away what our Founding Fathers fought for? And what if Christianity didn't have its ten commandments? There is not a more simple explaination of Christian law. It is no surprise then that we see the society in Animal Farm crumble when the pigs begin to change the commandments. After all, there is no reason for expelling Mr. Jones if things are going to be the same as before the revolution. The comandments gave them an outline of the law. Not even the ruling body can alter something as fundamental as a society's founding principles. There would be no society left, clearly what we see as Animal Farm draws to a close.
Animal Farm: Some Important Characters
Mr. Jones, the farmer, represents the Tsar of Russia who is driven out of Russia. Old Major, the first pig mentioned, is a representation of Karl Marx and other communist leaders. Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick represent the leaders of England and Germany. Snowball is Leo Trotsky, one of the original revolutionaries, but as Stalin gained power he became Stalin’s enemy. He is also expelled from the farm as Leo is expelled from Russia. Napoleon is Joseph Stalin and Squealer, the Russian media, spreads his beliefs.
The horses are a representation of Russia’s people. Boxer, the work horse, is the working class and the ideal communist. His motto is “I will work harder,” and “Napoleon must be right.” On the other hand, Mollie, stays faithful to people, or the old Tsar. She may represent Russia’s upper class.
The dogs are Russia’s military and police. Napoleon steals pups from their mothers shortly after the revolution for the purpose of education. When Napoleon pulls Snowball down, the dogs act as his personal military, like Stalin. The birds also play key roles in the book, as well as in the Russian Revolution. The birds are alienated by “Four legs good, two legs bad” because they have two legs but Squealer explains that they are included in four legs because of their wings. In reality, many classes of people were left out by Stalin, especially the peasant farmers. Their lands were confiscated later like the chicken’s eggs.
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