Topic > Cause of Totalism and Rebelion in 1984 and Metropolis

1984 (1949) by George Orwell is a cautionary novel that explores a dystopian society mired in propaganda and totalitarianism. Likewise, director Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) is a critique of a futuristic world in which growth and industrialization benefit the few and oppress the many. Both texts reveal societies in which rebellion becomes the focus of unlikely protagonists, who dare to challenge the totalitarian values ​​existing in their world and who are inspired by the passions of their intimate relationships. Both the novel and the film were created in post-war contexts: Metropolis after World War I and 1984 after World War II, and both to provide warning and caution to future generations at risk of exploitation. The composers of these texts created worlds of totalitarianism and rebellion, expressed through their diverse textual forms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Orwell explores the impact of power through “Big Brother,” an omnipresent leader of a tyrannical government in which “The Party” is a socio-political power that oppresses the lives of citizens. Orwell describes the oppression and loss of individuality caused by this totalitarian regime. The language, “Newspeak,” dehumanizes citizens by destroying their freedom of speech and expression. The omniscient telescreens and the Big Brother poster, "Big Brother is watching you", impose conformity on society as "whichever way you turned, the telescreens were watching you". The use of hyperbole exaggerates the Party's constant oversight. Although there are some more private places (such as Charrington's room, where the thought of supervision is abolished), the characters are never truly free from the danger of hidden telescreens or microphones – always under the ever-present fear of surveillance. The absence of freedom and constant restriction on associating with others prohibits privacy and free speech, showing the extent of oppression and totalitarian power. In addition to Orwell's depiction of totalitarianism in 1984, Lang also shows the power of a totalitarian society when it is thrown against those who are initially oppressed. Metropolis emerges from a context of German leadership and focuses on the stratification of social classes: the head (Industrials) and the hands (Workers), in the analysis of the film's machines. Lang visually represents the debasement of humanity, to the point of submission to the power of technology. Lang's film visually presents a dystopia where machines are God and workers are expendable. Through the use of expressionistic chiaroscuro and body language the characters are divided into Workers and "oligarchic heads". The dark clothes, hunched shoulders and robotic movement of the Workers at the beginning of the film symbolize a dystopian exploitative society, while the light clothing of the oligarchic rulers in the city above creates an exotic montage, in stark contrast to the stark functionalism of the workers' city . Using this setting, Lang employs this contrast to condemn overt control and inequality in his futuristic dystopia. The audience is presented with his concerns regarding the expendability of human life. They become aware of how strongly he values ​​freedom and fairness through the portrayal of their antithesis. In 1984, the depiction of satirical extremes seen through the eyes of the protagonist, Winston Smith, allows the reader a greater understanding of the values ​​of language and fairness. human emotions. An ordinary man, Winston, tries, under extraordinary circumstances, to”..