1984 vs. Brave New World

A decade or so back, the dystopian society dominated both the novel world and the box office (particularly in the Young Adult market). From Hunger Games, Divergent,The Road and The Maze Runner, such themes prevailed. Certainly every generation has had its own dystopian giant to claim for itself. In my day, it was The Giver. At the moment, the trend has calmed for a spell, but I’m sure it will return. 
What makes dystopian novels such a compelling genre? We each often dwell on the ills of our culture, trying to make sense of everything. So naturally, we begin to wonder what would happen if these vices take root, wrapping their tentacles into every facet of our existence. Thus, dystopian stories are an exploration of would could be… Or… Possibly a warning.

When creating a dystopian work, an author's worldview greatly determines what he or she sees as the world’s ill, and thus motivates the ‘what if’ narrative. I recently finished reading Brave New World, and couldn’t stop myself from comparing it to 1984. Both are well known. Both are massively influential pieces of literature. Both explore ‘what if’, but from different perspectives. I can’t help but wonder which one is a more accurate warning concerning the path our current culture travels. Here’s a breakdown on where each novel stands on various themes.

Central Government. In 1984, Big Brother is the central figure, constantly monitoring its people. Big Brother is not at all a nuanced figure, the government is clearly portrayed by Orwell as utterly evil, and only concerned with keeping its power for the sake of keeping power. In order to keep power, the government forces its citizens to have a full and pure devotion to Big Brother. Any negative thoughts toward Big Brother are crimes. In Huxley’s Brave New World, the central government (The World State), is solely concerned with creating a functional society. A class system is employed and citizens are conditioned to enjoy their lot. The ruling figures strive to keep individuals content, or distracted.

Economy. In 1984, Big Brother’s means of keeping it’s people occupied centers on war and destruction. Big Brother knows if the world is in a constant state of war, its citizens will, in fear, cling to the central government for protection. For Brave New World, science and innovation are the means by which the economy runs. It emphasizes all things new. Everyone is to live in the present. People are no longer birthed, but manufactured in factories. Scientific conditioning methods are developed and employed in order to keep everyone content. For lapses in conditioning, Soma (a breakthrough drug) is available for those emotional lows an individual experiences.

Media and entertainment. In 1984, every word, whether in the news or in history books, is controlled by Big Brother. In addition, both history and news are changed in order to fit whatever narrative Big Brother wants to convey. Any entertainment offered glorifies Big Brother. Brave New World opens itself to all sorts of entertainment and media, as long as they are new, and don’t make individuals contemplate hard questions. Vigorous sports such as obstacle golf and escalator squash, and other sensory-based recreational activities are required of citizens. And, movies are heavily sexualized, sense-incorporated, and shallow. Above all, no one is allowed to explore painful, and emotionally challenging works of art from the past.

Family and intimacy. In 1984, marriage is a means to produce Big Brother loving children. Orwell describes the act of making children, as performing a great duty for Big Brother. Sex is solely for procreation, unless absolutely necessary, then one can engage, but one dare not gain pleasure. Real intimacy among lovers is not to be enjoyed, for all devotion is to be be directed toward Big Brother. In Brave New World, the family unit has been completely abolished. And the central government raises and conditions children in a manner that is beneficial for the society. Intimacy between individuals is forbidden. Sex is a means of recreation. Everyone belongs to everyone, and no one is to be denied temporary pleasure. For one to hold a strong attachment to another would lead to jealousy, strife and pain. Inject enough pain and stress, society would collapse.

What happens to the defiant protagonist? (Spoiler alert). Seeking a deeper love of another, 1984’s Winston is caught by the spying eyes of Big Brother. After unrelenting torture and being subjected to his worst fear, his heart softens and he powerfully finds a love for Big Brother. Having not been conditioned as the rest of the society, Brave New World’s John simply wants to find intimacy. To be loved. He struggles to abstain from all the pleasures that bombard him. So he hides away. He fights using various forms of self-discipline. But the culture will not leave him alone. In the end, he falls into temptation, and a wild night of various forms of pleasure (and pains). John wakes filled with guilt and misery. Knowing he will never find intimacy, John hangs himself.

To sum up both novels well, I like this quote by Neil Postman, “In 1984, Orwell added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that our fear will ruin us. Huxley feared that our desire will ruin us.”