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‘Much dystopian fiction attacks social and political institutions’. In 1984 and The Handmaids Tale.

Both Margaret Attwood’s The Handmaids Tale and George Orwell’s 1984 are dystopian novels, the genre dystopia has been described as speculative fiction due to its basis on realistic events and institutions. As 1984 was published in 1949 it is largely based on Stalinist Russia and Hitler’s Germany, Orwell has described the texts purpose as a warning against such tyrannical governments. Whereas The Handmaid’s Tale was published in 1986 and although the novel has totalitarian government as the crux of the novel, it is main critique is of the conservative rights that was posing a threat during the 1980s.

In The Handmaid’s Tale Attwood attacks the social institution of patriarchal society, which greatly contrasts to the critique of gender equality created in 1984. THT’s Gilead is a male dominated society, in which men control all the power. Women are reduced to mere possessions in with the protagonist being given the name “Offred”, this creates a literal representation of her nature as someone owned by her male counterpart. Though there is a female hierarchy even the highest women “commander’s wives” are defined by their marriage. The names reaffirm women’s positions with in the society as lesser citizens, this social structure is critical of the rise of conservativism in America, as in the 1980s they were large increase in the call for women to return to their homes, which is what has occurred in Gilead. This is contrasted with the social structure which Orwell critiques, 1984 is a society that claims to create gender equality. This is evident from the fact that women work, Julia “had some mechanical job”, a job is thought of as male in nature. Although the equality of genders, in their ability to hold jobs, is utopian in nature the equality in 1984 is used as a method of removing the sexual drive of citizens as women are stripped of feminine nature. This critique of equality can be viewed as critical of the Stalinist Russia, in which the society was supposed to be equal for the benefit of all but instead created large oppression similar to the sexual repression in 1984.

Both 1984 and THT attack the political regimes of totalitarian governments. In 1984, there is a hierarchy of “proles”, “outer party” then “inner party” and at the top “Big Brother”. The way in which power is concentrated in the hands of the few is reflective of regular governance, but the concentration of power in the hands of one person is reflective of a dictatorship. This form of government is criticised when Winston inquiries about Big Brothers existence to O’Brian, who replies “Big Brother is the embodiment of the party”, which indicates that he is not a real person but in fact a representation of the government. Though it has been interpreted that Big Brother was a real leader but has died and has been used posthumous as an identifiable figure, this interpretation better displays the critique of totalitarian government as in 1953 the Soviet government delayed announcing Stalin’s death until they had an effective replacement, hence critiquing the dictatorial control of government regimes in 1948. Like the illusive Big Brother Gilead’s leaders are unknown, due to the first-person narrative of Offred there is limited knowledge of anything other than the structures of her household as Offred is unaware of who possess the power above the “commanders”, though this still portrays an alarming picture of the effects of power concentration in the hands of the few. Although THT was written in the 1980’s the military coup and militarised nature of society draws parallels to communist Cuba, which was created via a military coup led by Castro and Guevara, as Cuba is merely 90miles away from Florida and the novel was written during the height of the Cold War it is possible that the disapproval for communist regimes were reflected by Attwood.

In fitting with the speculative nature of dystopian literature there are elements of THT and 1984 that critique our current society. The use of surveillance is largely reflective of modern society, in 1984 the

government have “telescreens”, which are like CCTV used in present society, used by the government to root out criminals. There is also the use of human to spy on others which creates the suspicion that Winston is “surrounded everyday by informers” like Offred says “it occurs to me that she may be an informer”, this method of turning people on each other is used in both texts to break down relationship and prevent people uniting against the government. This can be linked to the Germany with the Hitler Youth, who were taught to spy on their community, as well as the USA where during the height of the Red Scare people were told to report anyone suspected of being a communist. There are also similarities in the fact that both novels attack the culture of their respective countries.

In 1984, there is the ironically named “ministry of truth” which produces government propaganda, the building is in fact supposed to be the BBC, it can be argued that in portraying the famous building as the “Ministry of truth” Orwell is attacking its nature as a news and information outlet, suggesting that it is rather largely compliant with the governments media agenda. Although it can also be interpreted that the representation of the building is a way of generating concern for Western citizens who currently live in democracy, as it suggests that a dystopian government could gain control in the future. Likewise, Attwood critiques the western laisse faire attitude and tries to warn them. It can be considered that Attwoods featuring of “Japanese tourists” in THT is an attack on the western nations failure to assist countries facing oppression. As the tourist ask Offred and Ofwarren if they can “take your picture”, this shows both that the Japanese society is free and rich as well as the fact that they are unwilling to help the Handmaids, merely contempt to watch their oppression. Which is reflective of the way America failed to assist Eastern Bloc countries who rose up against communism, this seems to warn against the oppressive regime as it highlights the fact that the international community would be unlikely to take any action.

In conclusion, THT and 1984 attack the society both of their past and of the time in which they’re writing, which indirectly critiques the modern era in many respects. Which warns against social controls such as the 1980s-feminist back lash and political restraints like the regimes of Hitler and Stalin.

Elements of Dystopian Literature in “Ten with a Flag”

Plotting to supplant the Protestant monarchy with a Catholic one, Robert Catesby planned

to destroy the Parliament building. However, the government discovered his “Gunpowder Plot,” after they captured his conspirator, Guy Fawkes. Since then governments have been on the lookout for future insurgents. No government does this more than Joseph Paul Naines’ Central, from his “Ten with a Flag.” The acting government, called Central, will analyze a fetus’ DNA. They then give the child a rating based on their future utility and likelihood to rebel. The higher the number, the higher of a social status he or she will have. Haines argues that a government, which values lives of the lives of some citizens over others, is dystopian. There is open oppression of the person, in order to satisfy the needs of Central. Secondly, the cult of personality, which has replaced all forms of religion, supports his claim. Finally, there is an outsider who desires change but is ultimately defeated by manipulators.

After receiving their child’s results, Johnnie and an unnamed mother go speak with Mr. White, the head of Human Services which is a branch of Central. Their future son had been rated a 10, but there was a flag, indicating the child would be problematic. Furthermore, the flag gives the mother the option to abort the child, should she feel it necessary. Johnnie is afraid that his wife may die during childbirth, as previously recorded data shows. But he is reassured by Mr. White the child will have no problems, “The important thing to remember is that your baby rated a ten. Your child will be an asset to the Nation … The state has raised both your rating to eight, effective immediately” (25). Mr. White wants to parents to forego the risk of bearing a child with a flag in order to help Central. In his eyes, the mother’s life is worthless compared to the possibilities offered by a 10. The fact that individuality is given up in exchange for the advancement of power is indicative of a dystopian world.

During their meeting, the mother shows utter reverence to Mr. White, who is a ten

himself. However, Johnnie openly questions Mr. White. In response his wife thinks, “Eight didn’t mean could just randomly disrespect government officials” (25). In this world, citizens have been conditioned to never question the judgement of higher ranking citizen. There is also never a mention of religion: implying that man’s innate desire to worship is satiated with higher numbers. The worshipping of other citizens is highly reminiscent of a cult of personality. Except here, many citizens are worshipped instead of just one. This supports Haines’ claim because a cult of personality is a key trope in dystopian worlds.

As the life of the mother is in apparent danger, Johnnie must make a critical choice. Having been given the choice over his son’s life, he decides to abort the child. As the doctor makes preparations for the operation, Mr. White and Human Services greet the future parents. Enraged and confused, Johnnie yells, “You said you wouldn’t interfere.’ Mr. White smiled. “We didn’t, We allowed you to make your decision of your own free will… No one ever said we’d let you go through with it, though. The flag is an option, not a right” (30). The twisting of language by Mr. White is indicative of his sly and cunning behavior. Here the classic outsider, who understands the government is evil, is outwitted by Central. Their euphemistic language seeks to expose those, who would betray the government. In this instance, Johnnie would put the life of a 6 before that of a 10. His failure is indicative of the helplessness a single person faces against the entire collective. The failure of an outsider to make a change due to scheming by government officials is very indicative of a dystopian society.

Using dystopian motifs, Haines demonstrates that a world in which citizens worship others, for simply winning the genetic lottery, is dystopian. Haines, the author of “Ten with a Flag,” writes of a world where the government fully controls the lives of its citizens. While

different, Central and the Handicapper General from “Harrison Bergeron” are extremely similar. They both react to the birth of citizens, but in different ways. One seeks to make them equal,

while the other stratifies them. While both vastly different, they are both dystopian worlds; meaning that one must let his or her citizens to be free to make their own path.

“You must make a decision that you are going to move on. It won’t happen automatically.

You will have to rise up and say, ‘I don’t care how hard this is, I don’t care how disappointed I am, I’m not going to let this get the best of me. I’m moving on with my life.” – Joel Osteen. Most people think that life is easy. They don’t have to make very big decisions that often, causing them to struggle when the day comes where they have to. However, when one has to decide whether to move on or to stay where they are, people usually have to work to forget about their past and move forward. In Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451, protagonist Guy Montag begins as an arrogant man who proceeds to forget about his past as well as become a more analytical person with the help of a strongly influential relationship with a girl named Clarisse.

Before the epiphanies that would change his life forever, Montag begins as an arrogant man, who is captivated by everything about him. For example, when returning to the firehouse: [Montag] knew that when he returned, he might wink at himself, a minstrel man,

burnt-corked, in the mirror. Later, going to sleep, he would feel the fiery smile

still gripped by his face muscles in the dark. It never went away, that smile. (4) This shows that truly is obsessed with everything he does, and he shows it. This also shows that

he will always be hooked on his life in a bad way. As a result, Montag stays in an arrogant stage for most of his life.

Montag is like every other person in his society, until a highly influential relationship forms with the one person that isn’t: a girl named Clarisse. For example, when Montag is walking in the rain:

[Montag saw Clarisse] walking in the center of the sidewalk with her head up and

the few drops falling on her face. She smiled when she saw Montag.

“Hello!”

He said hello and then said, “What are you up to now?” “I’m still crazy. The rain feels good. I love to walk in it.”

“I don’t think I’d like that,” he said.

“You might if you tried.”

“I never have.”

[…] And she ran off and left him standing there in the rain. Only after a

long time did he move.

And then, very slowly, as he walked, he tilted his head back in the rain, for

just a few moments, and opened his mouth…. (19, 21)

This shows that, before Montag had met Clarisse, he would’ve never thought of doing something like tasting rain, but after he is wanting to experience new things, wanting to change into a better man. This also shows that Montag’s trust in Clarisse is starting to grow as their relationship

develops into a stronger, more powerful relationship. As a result, Clarisse is a major part in transforming Montag’s life into a new one.

After his encounters with Clarisse, Montag changes into a more analytical human being.

For example, when playing a game of poker with Captain Beatty, Montag says:

“I-I’ve been thinking. About the fire last week. About the man whose library we fixed. What happened to him?”

“They took him off screaming to the asylum.”

“He wasn’t insane.”

This shows that Montag has developed a new sense of thinking; one that thinks carefully about everything and doesn’t just skim over details. This also shows that he is starting to realize what he has done to the people around him. As a result, Montag understands that in order to actually think about things, he needs to really focus on whatever he is trying to think about.

Before meeting Clarisse, Guy Montag was an arrogant man who didn’t think much about life. He went through his daily routine until he got the motivation to change from the influential relationship he had with a girl named Clarisse. He then changed into a man who wanted to think more about what he was doing. Although it took work, Montag was determined to change his life from bad to good.

Work Cited

1. Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 1951. Print.

A Brave New 1984

Both science fiction authors George Orwell and Aldous Huxley prophesize the imminent

destruction of society, warning the public of a nearing, dystopian future in their books 1984 and Brave New World respectively. However, social critic Neil Postman observes that the two’s reasons for said destruction offered contrasting analyses of society; Orwell predicted that society would be ruined by an opposing, oppressive force, namely Big Brother, while Huxley believed that society would be ruined internally, through our own deliberate ignorance and technologically induced captivity. Through the examination of modern culture in America, Postman’s assertion that Huxley’s Brave New World is the more relevant representation of today

is accurate.

With the rise of social media and easily accessible technology, the spread of valuable information could never be more efficient to disperse. Imagine all the potential the efficiency and power of technology could bring to benefit society: raising awareness for global tragedies, educating those who lack insight and introspection, empowering those facing injustice. Now imagine all of those benefits already made a reality, just blatantly ignored. This is the future that Huxley warned about, a future where “the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance”. Unlike the society described in Orwell’s 1984, people today still have the choice to be educated, and are even given a wide range of media to choose from; documentaries, documents, satire, and stories all ably pave the way to ignorance-free awareness. But what use is accessible knowledge if the audience would rather worry about whether Stacy says “yes” to the dress or if the Emoji Movie will ever have a much deserved sequel? The public is aware that Donald Trump, on multiple occasions, is guilty of sexual harassment and acts of idiocy, yet people continue to support his presidency. The public is aware that several school shootings have devastated

families and students alike, yet people still demand that the 2nd amendment be untouched. The

truth is, there are many who don’t care about the truth.

The progressive movement represented a unified effort of groups that benefited

society in order to correct abuses and government. Some of the more popular movements consisted of voting rights for women, civil rights for African Americans, temperance, and child labor. Each of these movements ended up being successful or was able to start moving forward in a popular direction that would later benefit society. The progressive movement ended up being very beneficial and gave a great moral boost for the country. From the women’s movement, it proved to be successful overall as citizens became more aware of their problems. One of the most dedicated women to the women’s movement was Susan B. Anthony, and she wrote about her mission in the Arena Magazine. Her main idea of the movement was to not give up until women had earned the right to vote in elections. Anthony talked about how no one would know when this day would come but that men needed accept and recognize women as peers and as councils in the nation. In the end of the movement with all of the hard work that was put in, the nineteenth amendment would finally be added to the constitution. This amendment ratified in 1920 and guaranteed women’s right to vote in all elections including the local, state, and national levels. Thanks to Susan B. Anthony and other great independent women, the nineteenth was made possible by all of the hard work that they put in.

The civil rights movement for African Americans was also a successful movement

that came from the help of the progressive era in the US. There were an innumerable amount of leaders in that helped push the civil rights movement forward and one of them was W. E. B. Du Bois, who played a large role in the success of it. Some of the main principles from the Niagara Movement were to give African Americans sympathy, justice, and leadership. After being treated poorly all they wanted was to be treated

equally and Du Bois said that the nations would never stand justified before God until these things were changed. Though there would still be some time before the civil rights movement became completely successful, after urban migration, African Americans were able to improve economic conditions in the north, which was a start.

Lastly the child labor movement had begun in 1900 when some progress had been made in limiting the employment of young children especially in factories and mines throughout the United States. Florence Kelly was one of Jane Addams associates and co- leaders of the settlement house movement, and then began delivering reports concerning child abuse. This reports called for efforts to end abuses. Kelly thought that there were some big obstacles at the time towards child labor. This first was the general hypocrisy of Americans, and the second was the failure to make the work of enforcing the law desirable as a profession. Kelly’s plan to resolve this problem was to insist that child labor was a “national evil” and there must be a law that forbade it.

In conclusion, the progressive era was certainly represented as a unified effort to make society better as a whole. The most popular movements were women’s suffrage, civil rights of African Americas, and child labor. Though some of these movements did not cure the United States’ problems completely, the improved the quality of life for those living the in United States. It provided a bigger role for the people to be involved with democracy and institute a guide for the federal government to become more effective.

Living Life Like a Storybook

Wouldn’t it be nice to live life by being able to do whatever without suffering any

consequences? Storybook characters can do whatever they want without having to worry what is going to happen in the end. Kurt Vonnegut wrote about life in his book Breakfast of Champions and he explained that Americans try to live to mirror characters in storybooks. Just like storybooks, Vonnegut touches on the idea of life having main and minor character. Some Americans believe that their choices won’t directly affect them because much like a storybook, characters can act without receiving the consequences they may deserve. As shown in Breakfast of Champions, Vonnegut used examples of gun violence, environmental changes, and racism to support the idea that Americans live their lives like characters in storybooks.

Whether it is a storybook or real life, gun violence can make any story interesting. Gun violence is a major issue in the United States and innocent people continue losing their lives to guns. Vonnegut demonstrated gun violence in the story by saying, “sometimes people would put holes in famous people so they could be at least fairly famous, too. Sometimes people would get on airplanes which were supposed to fly to someplace, and they would offer to put holes in the pilot and co-pilot unless they flew the airplane to someplace else” (50). This was told after he gave another example of a young boy shooting his parents because he didn’t want them to see his bad report card. These incidents support the idea that people act without thinking of the consequences because they feel their life is a storybook and their actions won’t have any consequences. Acting without thinking is the mentality of storybook characters and many Americans have that mentality. There are Americans that believe gun violence is not an issue and would much rather devote their attention and resources to solve other problems; this is living like a character in a storybook. Ignoring issues that have drastic impacts on families daily because people think gun violence won’t affect them directly is what happens in storybooks. In a

storybook world, gun violence would just resolve itself and that is what some Americans are hoping for, but that is not going to happen. Not everyone in the world will be affected by gun violence during their lifetime, but one issue that impacts Americans and the whole world is environmental changes.

It’s hard to deny that the environment is changing due to human decisions and practices. Global warming is an extremely big issue around the world and some people try not to acknowledge its existence. Vonnegut supported the issue of environment changes by saying, “Trout told Bill that humanity deserved to die horribly, since it had behaved so cruelly and wastefully on a planet so sweet” (18). Storybook characters don’t have to worry about their actions having negative impacts on the planet, which could explain why some Americans don’t believe in global warming. There is only one planet that can be home to humans and people take advantage of that. Environmental changes are another example of Americans trying to escape reality by ignoring the issue rather than trying to solve it. It is easier to believe that the human race is doing nothing wrong and isn’t destroying the planet because that’s what a storybook character would do. Vonnegut believes that the human race should die horrible because of their actions, which will happen if changes aren’t made to help save the planet. If changes aren’t made, campaigns will shift their idea from “save our planet” to “save the human race.” Eventually the Earth will start to eliminate the humans because resources will no longer be available, but storybook characters don’t have to worry about that. The way people treat the planet isn’t the only issue, the way people treat each other is another issue.

Relating to main and minor characters in storybooks, Americans categorize different races into those groups of main and minor. Although Americans have come a long way in regards to human rights, racism still exists. There is systematic racism and the way the system

is designed it prevents black people from succeeding. Vonnegut explained racism by stating, “the reindeer problem was essentially this: Nobody white had much use for black people anymore- except for the gangsters who sold the black people used cars and dope and furniture. They were given small amounts of money every month, so they wouldn’t have to steal” (168). This supports the idea that white Americans are the main characters and black Americans are the minor

characters. White Americans don’t have a use for black Americans anymore, just like main characters in storybooks don’t value the minor characters. Americans continue to keep black people oppressed by making it harder for them to succeed to prevent them from being the main character. The idea of racism shows that Americans live like storybook characters because as long as they fall in the main character category they could care less what happens to the minor characters. Just like the other issues Americans experience, they ignore the issue of racism unless it directly affects them just as storybook characters do.

Life would be so much easier if everyone was able to just ignore all problems and live life however they wanted to without experiencing any consequences. People have a hard time distinguishing between reality and living like a storybook character because it is more favorable to live like a storybook character. Vonnegut used examples of gun violence, environmental changes, and racism in Breakfast of Champions to demonstrate how Americans live their lives like storybook characters. Gun violence is a major issue that has effects on lives daily, yet people act like storybook characters and ignore the issue unless it impacts them personally. Some Americans fail to acknowledge environmental changes because characters in a storybook don’t have to worry about issues like that. Racism exists in America because the main characters don’t value the minor characters, just like in storybooks. Every American may be

trying to live their life like characters in a storybook, but their actions in life will make each of

their endings different from the other.

Breakfast Of Champions

The satirical novel Breakfast Of Champions by best-selling author Kurt Vonnegut, deals with trying to find one’s identity and what happens when someone does. Protagonist Dwayne Hoover was a Pontiac dealer on the brink of going insane. Antagonist Kilgore Troute was a science fiction writer who felt his life was over but he was mistaken. This tale revolves around the lives and meeting of these two men. Through the conflicts of person vs. person and person vs. self, Vonnegut cautions against anticipating a happy existence as a result of finding the answers in life, for it could make one a champion or give one “doodley-squat.”

In the person vs. person conflict, the main struggle was between Dwayne Hoover and just about everyone in Midland City. Some of Dwayne’s problems are with his son Bunny, competing automobile industries, and Francine, Dwayne’s secretary. Throughout this plot, Dwayne is described as an uncontrolled person who has trouble grasping the feelings of others, this is partly due to his “bad chemicals,” and because of the life he leads.

The person vs. self conflicts also deals mostly with Dwayne Hoover. The main conflict is between Dwayne and himself, and is caused by his “bad chemicals”

? “Listen: the bad chemicals in Dwayne’s head is a mental illness that many people suffer from. Dwayne’s body was manufacturing certain chemicals which unbalanced his mind” (p13).

The other conflict which Dwayne develops with himself happens after he reads Troute’s novel, this novel causes him to believe he is the only human with free will. With this belief and the “bad chemicals” Dwayne goes completely insane and starts a violent parade around Midland City. After this outrage Dwayne is degraded to “another withered balloon of an old man on Midland City’s Skid Row” (p280).

When people look for their identity they can either be let down or their feelings of a better life will be met. Vonnegut shows both aspects of these conclusions in Breakfast Of Champions. Dwayne Hoover shows the bad effects finding yourself in his negative reaction. While in contrast, Kilgore Troute show the good aspects of finding yourself. “He became one of the most beloved and respected human beings in history” (p7). Vonnegut uses a casual humorous way to present these ideas. He does this by putting in various pictures and small facts such as peoples measurements. He also puts himself in the novel as the “Creator Of The Universe” and watches as Dwayne looses his mind. This style keeps the reader interested while he/she still obtains the meaning of the book and the message that Vonnegut is trying to portray.

Lost and Found