Period 5 Blog Question
April 6, 2007
So far in the book, how can we draw parallels between 1984 and Fahrenheit 451? How do the characters compare? The setting? The plot? And how do they contrast? Based on what happened in Fahrenheit 451, what kind of inferences can we make about what may happen in 1984?
--Maddy, Erin, and Madison
posted by Anonymous @ 12:24 PM
23 Comments:
I think that both 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 are both trying to teach society something. I think that the authors are trying to convey the same message, which is that there is a line at which an effective government becomes an oppressive government, and both of the governments in the books proove to be fine examples.
As far as setting is concerned, they are both a negative utopia. But one striking difference is the environment.
In Fahrenheit 451, the life looks alright to us on the outside, yet lacks deeper meaning and is very shallow. We find that to be very negative. But in 1984, it is obviously negative. They live in rundown buildings with sub-par products and shortages of materials.
Both the main characters are men whose thoughts are challenging the system. They both have wives that they realize they don't really love and they both work for the government, doing exactly what they believe is wrong. In both books, the government is brainwashing their people to limit free thinking. However, in 451, the people KNEW they were being brainwashed and didn't care. And even though some people in 1984 do realize they are being brainwashed, it seems that most people are clueless. Also, its interesting that both of the books have titles that have numbers that describes a part of their society.
I think in both books the characters were disillusioned with the society, and wanted to do something. But at the very beggining, none of them have enough courage to actually do anything.
One important difference to me is that Montag is much more a part of the establishment that Winston. Winston is part of the party, but not the inner party. Montag was a fireman, which can be compared to the thought police.
I think that in both Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 the government is really controlling over people and what the think and see. One difference is that in 1984, books are allowed, while in Fahrenheit 451, books are most certainly not allowed. I wonder why this is.
In both 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, along with what others have said, the repressiveness of the government is similar. And, just like 451, there is a person who knows of a better time and wants that back. This person is also in a government/important position. Also, in both books, abnormal people dissapear overnight, never to be heard from again. Also in both books, the kids seem to be feared.
Aren't both 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 set in England? Also, the government in both books controls everything about its citizens' lives. How terrible!
One thing that I find MOST important is that in Fahrenheit 451 the people chose to give up their humanity and become empty, void of all emotions. However, in 1984, the people obviously (from Winston's memory) had some type of a war and not everyone was for the outcome, they were basically forced into the slavery of being void.
Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 are similar books. The characters are similar because once again the main character is a man who believes there is life outside of the controlling life the government makes for the citizens. The rest of the characters are mostly mindless drones who will swallow and accept anything leadership gives them. I have not really gotten much of a feel for 1984's setting yet, but I think it is different from Fahrenheit 451. In 1984, the setting seems really dark and in a way dirty. The characters actions suggest that they do not live a very organized life. For example, Mrs. Parsons' house was full of dirty clothes and laundry when Winston entered her home. In Fahrenheit 451 I imagined the setting as a suburban neighborhood similar to the one I live in currently. From the similar stories of Fahrenheit 451 and 1984, I can infer that Winston will rebel against the government silently, and for a while life will seem to have improved. Then I think the government will catch up with him and his fate will be decided.
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hannah, i disagree.
In 451, in the end, the scholars help the city get back on it's feet. I think that Winston will start a revolt in the Proles, and overrun the government.
I think that fahrenheit 451 and 1984 compare in many ways for both show a group of people that are restricted in their ability to think. The firemen in fahrenheit 451 act like the thought police in 1984. Also, in both books, there is one individual that used to live his life controlled and content, but has recently resented the way they live their lives and are beginning to question the way that their civilization lives.
The live blogging is ona another post farther down.
Essentially, the governments of both books are the same: they use sophisticated technology to further their own personal interests by depriving the masses of knowledge. Although Fahrenheit 451 had a hopeful ending, Montag in that book was not under constant surveillance and other people were not as adamantly loyal to their government. In 1984, Winston is alone.
1984 and Fareneit 451 are similar because the characters are both in the same situation. Winston and Montag both live in societies where the citizens are brain washed into doing whatever their government wants them to do or they will face death. They also are somewhat alone in their causes of rebellion but they do sense that people have similar toughts. Montag's society is also less n edge than Winston's because Winston feels that him and his comrades are being monitored at all times.
I find it ironic that some of the things that our society today is working for (including shrinking the income gap, integrating televisions and computers into daily life, and increased government awareness of the citizens) are some of the things that books such as 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 advocate against.
I would have to say that some elements of our society are working to increase the income gap.
But your point is good. My personal prediction is that as computers become more and more popular, people will divide along the lines of increased computerization and those that do not want to change anything. Digitalists and traditionalists. Or something like that.
Like others comments, 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 are both negative utopias. They both have main characters challenging the system. They are both in set in the future and explore the idea of government control.
The main difference in the two books is the day-to-day living situation and mindset of the people in the books. The people in Fahrenheit 451 cannot read books but otherwise they live normal lives. They enjoy life, have relationships and eat normal food. In 1984, everything has changed. The citizens are for the most part depressed, live in substandard housing, and eat substandard food. To me this where the two books deviate from each other. Bradbury sets out say that censorship is bad while Orwell’s purpose is to speak out against controlling governments.
Between 1984 and Farenheit 451 both have a communism run system. Both Winston and Montag try going against the system they have been raised in and at first they are very confused on what the right choice is, but both seem to rebel. Montag seems a little more outgoing with his inner feelings and seems to have a harder time controlling them, unlike Winston. I think that Winston will end up rebeling and get around being vaporized and that others will find out that Winston is a "rebel".
Well, both of the societies have a very controlling government, but in different ways. In 1984, the people are allowed to read, go to work, and live their everyday lives, so long as they are doing what the government wants them to. Also, they "know" what is going on the world, and supposively, why it is going on. Of course, they can't know for certain what is fact and what isn't. They also have literature at their fingertips, even though sometimes it isn't allowed. But it is their choice to have it, and they will suffer the consequences. In F451, the people are limited in what they can do, with no opportunities to stray from what is "right", unlike 1984.
Sorry for the tardiness of this post! Blogger was not working for me AT ALL on Friday, and therefore I never got a chance to post anything. So, anyway, here's my answer to our question:
Both of the societies in the books are extremely abrasive and do not allow for much or any show of emotion. In F451, it is shown that it is possible to love someone else, but Montag seems to choose not to. Even though Montag does not partake in this "privilege," it shows that the emotional atmosphere in F451 is a lot more free and accomodating than that in 1984.
One of the parts of these books that I have been most interested in is each book's portrayal of the origin of the society it depicts. Both books emphasize the fact that it was THE PEOPLE who called for the social changes; it was THE PEOPLE who wanted this type of society. I believe that this is the most important part of both books- They emphasize the frivolity of human desires and the occassional resulting catastrophes that come from them. This, I believe, is what makes F451 and 1984 classics.
I was absent for this fishbowl and had no internet access or I would have participated. So sorry about that. I see that 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 are both basically the same with a few differences. The main difference is who demonstrates the power. In 1984 the party quite obviously has ALL the power and people know that they have and use it. In Fahrenheit 451 the governments controls are much more subtle through the television and such. The only outward show was the burning of books and even that didn't promote fear but joy. The books are mostly the same but the government demonstrates its power differently.
In the novels Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 both of the main characters have rebellious thoughts toward their governments and yet both of the main characters are working for the government that they hate so much. They both are living unhappy lives and both of them are unsatisfied with how they are embracing emotions. Because of these things I think Winston will help the rebellion against his government just as Montag did to his government.
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