Do you think Frankenstein went too far in his quest for knowledge? Or, more interestingly, is it possible to learn too much? What should Frankenstein have done differently? In a larger context, how should we protect and safeguard the advancement & knowledge?
I believe that Victor's ambition to search for answers of questions that have not been explained. I have the feeling that there will be some questions that will never be answered. So, I think receiving an understanding of as many things as you can or that you find interesting isn't a bad thing. And, it wouldn't be as bad when relating it to how young Frankenstein was when he discovered how to create life because with most people it takes a good amount of years to gain the knowledge and to comprehend it. However, I feel that he was not mature or responsible enough to handle the situation. One of the biggest things that Victor should have done was to stay with the creature and figure out how to contain him. But, instead of that, he acted cowardly and made it everyone else's problem rather than making it his own. And, even though many people have many different opinions and beliefs, with a discovery like this, you can't do it alone. What I mean is that in order to preserve it and learn from it, you need help from others, which Victor didn't have. So, we should keep pursuing knowledge, but we should keep in mind how to go about it and regulate it rather than letting it run loose and out of control.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Frankenstein Blog #1
Compare and Contrast Walton and The Stranger
I believe Robert Walton and the Stranger are similar because they share that drive and feeling of ambition for trying to accomplish something important or extraordinary. They are both intelligent and more on the sophisticated side. But, of course, the stranger is in bad condition when Walton finds him. So, physically, the aren't the same.. yet. But, the way they go about things and think about things are more similar than Walton is with his crew, which is way he writes to his sister, Margaret, that he feels alone out there. But, there are some differences between them. Walton can be seen as the young adventurer or scientist that is eager to discover something and not really thinking it all the way through. The stranger seems wiser and appears to have already done something that has impacted him a great deal, which causes him to be more quiet than anything. He recognizes that Walton seeks the knowledge and wisdom, as he once did. And, the stranger actually admits that he has experienced some evils and should let that knowledge of those evils die with him. And, he wishes that Walton's wishes of knowledge and discovery don't come back to bit him like it did with him. But, because Walton and himself are similar and have possess that eagerness of discovery, he wants to tell Walton his story so that he doesn't make the same mistake... I imagine. But, we'll have to wait and find out what has happened to this stranger...
I believe Robert Walton and the Stranger are similar because they share that drive and feeling of ambition for trying to accomplish something important or extraordinary. They are both intelligent and more on the sophisticated side. But, of course, the stranger is in bad condition when Walton finds him. So, physically, the aren't the same.. yet. But, the way they go about things and think about things are more similar than Walton is with his crew, which is way he writes to his sister, Margaret, that he feels alone out there. But, there are some differences between them. Walton can be seen as the young adventurer or scientist that is eager to discover something and not really thinking it all the way through. The stranger seems wiser and appears to have already done something that has impacted him a great deal, which causes him to be more quiet than anything. He recognizes that Walton seeks the knowledge and wisdom, as he once did. And, the stranger actually admits that he has experienced some evils and should let that knowledge of those evils die with him. And, he wishes that Walton's wishes of knowledge and discovery don't come back to bit him like it did with him. But, because Walton and himself are similar and have possess that eagerness of discovery, he wants to tell Walton his story so that he doesn't make the same mistake... I imagine. But, we'll have to wait and find out what has happened to this stranger...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
1984 Blog #9
Following his capture, Winston undergoes a process of “philosophical cleansing” and “re-education.” He fights valiantly against this. Discuss the methods of torture and their results. What do you think this ending is saying about the hope Winston had for himself and for mankind at the beginning of the book? What do you think the broader message of the book is?
Winston does put on a long, valiant fight against O'Brien and the party in Book 3. But, he eventually falls. A physiological torture was being in a prison cell with no windows and there's always lights on. So, Winston doesn't sleep well and begins to lose track of time and space. He gets confused and doesn't know where in the Ministry of Love he is. Another type of torture they used on Winston was this contraption that stretch out Winston's body and sent electrical changes through his body. O'Brein used this torture device to try to make Winston forget his memories. This is when O'Brein is asking Winston how many fingers he's holding up. Winston knows there's four but it's supposed to mean you never know what it really is. It's only what the Party tells you what it is. And, finally, the last form of torture they use on Winston was the torture in room 101. It's supposedly the worst place in the world. They display Winston's worst fears... rats. O'Brein tells him that he'll release a cage full of hungry rats on his face unless he stops hating the Party. So, he betrays Julia and says that he would rather have her get that torture than himself. As for the ending, I felt like it was a shame. Even the most rebellious party member has their limits and can be controlled i guess. But, after reading what happens to people that in the Ministry of Love, the hope of successfully overpowering the Party decreases. They can cleanse the rebels of their hatred thoughts toward the party. And, final thoughts, I think that the boarder message of this book is there really is not hope for those that dislike the Party and that want things to change. The Party has gained too much power and control that it's more than likely that things won't change. But, I agree with Huxely that this society won't last forever and that it would eventually have to change into a Brave New World society. But, it's clear that the people living in the society of 1984 really have crappy lives...
Winston does put on a long, valiant fight against O'Brien and the party in Book 3. But, he eventually falls. A physiological torture was being in a prison cell with no windows and there's always lights on. So, Winston doesn't sleep well and begins to lose track of time and space. He gets confused and doesn't know where in the Ministry of Love he is. Another type of torture they used on Winston was this contraption that stretch out Winston's body and sent electrical changes through his body. O'Brein used this torture device to try to make Winston forget his memories. This is when O'Brein is asking Winston how many fingers he's holding up. Winston knows there's four but it's supposed to mean you never know what it really is. It's only what the Party tells you what it is. And, finally, the last form of torture they use on Winston was the torture in room 101. It's supposedly the worst place in the world. They display Winston's worst fears... rats. O'Brein tells him that he'll release a cage full of hungry rats on his face unless he stops hating the Party. So, he betrays Julia and says that he would rather have her get that torture than himself. As for the ending, I felt like it was a shame. Even the most rebellious party member has their limits and can be controlled i guess. But, after reading what happens to people that in the Ministry of Love, the hope of successfully overpowering the Party decreases. They can cleanse the rebels of their hatred thoughts toward the party. And, final thoughts, I think that the boarder message of this book is there really is not hope for those that dislike the Party and that want things to change. The Party has gained too much power and control that it's more than likely that things won't change. But, I agree with Huxely that this society won't last forever and that it would eventually have to change into a Brave New World society. But, it's clear that the people living in the society of 1984 really have crappy lives...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
1984 Blog #8
After his meeting with O’Brien at O’Brien’s home, Winston receives a book, ostensibly written by Emmanuel Goldstein. The book is supposed to explain how the society in which Winston now lives evolved. Focus on these passages. Look particularly at the theory of the High, Middle, and Low classes. If true, what does this theory mean about the proles? How might it alter Winston’s hopes for the proles? Does this theory of history make sense to you?
After finally meeting with O'Brien, Winston is given a book by O'Brien, which is written by Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein wrote about his theory of the current society and how it is divided into classes. Basically, what Goldstein's theory says is that the proles will never realize what's going on around them. In a society that is corrupt and not functioning properly, the ones that are on the low end would try to rebel and change the upper end of the society. But, in this society in 1984, this is not the case. The proles, who are the lower class, have no intension of trying to change the current circumstances. They're the kind of people that just go with the flow and don't rock the boat. In fact, they wouldn't even consciously try to 'swim upstream' or 'make waves'. So, let's move up. You could say that Outer Party would be the middle class and the upper class is the Inner Party. It is clear that there are people in the Outer Party that see the problems and would like to do something about it like Winston and now Julia. But, because the Outer Party is a part of the Party, the Party keeps them scared and frightened to do anything against them. And, this is why there isn't anyone that could convince the proles, who are the largest in population, to rebel against the Inner Party. This book definitely makes Winston think twice about his hopefully thoughts of trying to convince the proles of rebelling. So, with this theory, Goldstein believes that with how the classes are divided, there's really no way for this society change. However, I feel that there's nothing in this society that makes this way of living permeant unlike in "A Brave New World" and mind conditioning. So, there's still a chance of this 1984 society to change... i guess we'll have to wait and find out.
After finally meeting with O'Brien, Winston is given a book by O'Brien, which is written by Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein wrote about his theory of the current society and how it is divided into classes. Basically, what Goldstein's theory says is that the proles will never realize what's going on around them. In a society that is corrupt and not functioning properly, the ones that are on the low end would try to rebel and change the upper end of the society. But, in this society in 1984, this is not the case. The proles, who are the lower class, have no intension of trying to change the current circumstances. They're the kind of people that just go with the flow and don't rock the boat. In fact, they wouldn't even consciously try to 'swim upstream' or 'make waves'. So, let's move up. You could say that Outer Party would be the middle class and the upper class is the Inner Party. It is clear that there are people in the Outer Party that see the problems and would like to do something about it like Winston and now Julia. But, because the Outer Party is a part of the Party, the Party keeps them scared and frightened to do anything against them. And, this is why there isn't anyone that could convince the proles, who are the largest in population, to rebel against the Inner Party. This book definitely makes Winston think twice about his hopefully thoughts of trying to convince the proles of rebelling. So, with this theory, Goldstein believes that with how the classes are divided, there's really no way for this society change. However, I feel that there's nothing in this society that makes this way of living permeant unlike in "A Brave New World" and mind conditioning. So, there's still a chance of this 1984 society to change... i guess we'll have to wait and find out.
Monday, April 13, 2009
1984 Blog #7
Orwell spends a great deal of time discussing Winston’s dreams. Discuss and analyze the dream sequence in Chapter 8. What does this dream suggest about Winston’s psychological state? Why might this dream be important to an understanding of Winston’s character? To the book as a whole?
Throughout the book, Winston has definitely had quite a few dreams. But, in this recent chapters, he dreams and recalls a memory about his mother as well as his younger sister. In the back of his mind, Winston always thought that he was the one that murdered his mother. The dream reminds him of how he acted when he was a child. He was not well mannered and very selfish. He was very cruel and harsh to his mother and sister when there was no reason to be. He would throw temper tantrums and scream at his mother and wouldn't stop until he got everything he wanted. There was a time when the family was low on food because they were hiding from air raids and Winston demanded for some chocolate. So, being the selfish brat that he was, he stole the chocolate from his mother and sister and ran away. So, this creates a clear picture that Winston was a crappy child. But, it also tells us that he was acting on basic human instincts because he wasn't scared of the Party at that time. He could just be a child. As people become older, the Party takes away that part of human behavior because it could be a treat to the progression of the Party. So, the Party forces a facade onto Winston as well as many people that feel strong emotions. Which is one of the reasons why Winston favors the proles because they have the opportunity to express those feelings and be human beings. Winston feels like those in within the confines of the Party are not truly living, or living to their potential as the proles are. But, basically, Orwell is trying to explain to us his feelings about children and how they never really change even though external forces like the party really would like them to.
Throughout the book, Winston has definitely had quite a few dreams. But, in this recent chapters, he dreams and recalls a memory about his mother as well as his younger sister. In the back of his mind, Winston always thought that he was the one that murdered his mother. The dream reminds him of how he acted when he was a child. He was not well mannered and very selfish. He was very cruel and harsh to his mother and sister when there was no reason to be. He would throw temper tantrums and scream at his mother and wouldn't stop until he got everything he wanted. There was a time when the family was low on food because they were hiding from air raids and Winston demanded for some chocolate. So, being the selfish brat that he was, he stole the chocolate from his mother and sister and ran away. So, this creates a clear picture that Winston was a crappy child. But, it also tells us that he was acting on basic human instincts because he wasn't scared of the Party at that time. He could just be a child. As people become older, the Party takes away that part of human behavior because it could be a treat to the progression of the Party. So, the Party forces a facade onto Winston as well as many people that feel strong emotions. Which is one of the reasons why Winston favors the proles because they have the opportunity to express those feelings and be human beings. Winston feels like those in within the confines of the Party are not truly living, or living to their potential as the proles are. But, basically, Orwell is trying to explain to us his feelings about children and how they never really change even though external forces like the party really would like them to.
Friday, April 10, 2009
1984 Blog #6
Pay careful attention to the last paragraph in Chapter 6, which begins “He knew sooner or later…” What does Winston seem to know? What is being foreshadowed here? Also, what do you think of O’Brien up to this point?
After reading the last paragraph in Chapter 6, we discover what Winston seems to know. He knows that he will follow O'Brien's summons and do what he wants him to do. After his weird dream about O'Brien, Winston has had a feeling that O'Brien will come to him "in a place where there's no darkness". And, his dream came true, he managed to have an encounter with O'Brien in a hallway at the Ministry of Truth, which he gets invited to go to his house. Winston was excited and anxious at the same time. But, he feels that all this rebellious thoughts he's experiencing might soon become his actions. The foreshadowing that's happening is he has finally met with O'Brien and now something important might be on the horizon, which could either be good or bad for Winston. I believe Winston knows how likely he is going to get caught and either imprisoned or killed at this point. So, this meeting with O'Brien might make the 'inevitable' come true quicker. And, about O'Brien... I really don't know what to think of him because I really don't know much about him. I hope he's what Winston thinks he is. But, there's a pretty strong chance that O'Brien might be the cause of Winston inevitable capture. But, I guess.. we'll wait and find out.
After reading the last paragraph in Chapter 6, we discover what Winston seems to know. He knows that he will follow O'Brien's summons and do what he wants him to do. After his weird dream about O'Brien, Winston has had a feeling that O'Brien will come to him "in a place where there's no darkness". And, his dream came true, he managed to have an encounter with O'Brien in a hallway at the Ministry of Truth, which he gets invited to go to his house. Winston was excited and anxious at the same time. But, he feels that all this rebellious thoughts he's experiencing might soon become his actions. The foreshadowing that's happening is he has finally met with O'Brien and now something important might be on the horizon, which could either be good or bad for Winston. I believe Winston knows how likely he is going to get caught and either imprisoned or killed at this point. So, this meeting with O'Brien might make the 'inevitable' come true quicker. And, about O'Brien... I really don't know what to think of him because I really don't know much about him. I hope he's what Winston thinks he is. But, there's a pretty strong chance that O'Brien might be the cause of Winston inevitable capture. But, I guess.. we'll wait and find out.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
1984 Blog #5
Describe the relationship between Winston and Julia. Focus particularly on their different worldviews. How are they different from each other? How are the similar?
Even though the relationship between Winston and Julia has just started, we're already trying to point their similarities and differences. One of the views/interests that their relationship shares is their dislike of the Party and what they stand for. They like doing things that are against the Party. In essence, their relationship is a political act against the Party because the Party is against having sex for pleasure... only for procreation. And, the reason why the Party doesn't want it for pleasure is because it would be for someone's self-interest... making them more of an individual. So, if the Party can control people from not having sex for pleasure, then they can get them to participate in more Party activities like the two-minutes Hate and prisoner executions and so on. But, simply put, both Winston and Julia agree on doing things that the Party doesn't want them to do. So, Winston and Julia can agree that they're rebelling, but rebelling quietly. Now, Julia and Winston have some differences. It's true that they agree to rebel against the Party, but they do it for different reasons. Winston has this idea of one day the Party will be no more. Julia isn't out to destroy the Party. There are just some things like sleeping with men that she finds attractive that she wants to quietly get away with. Also, ever since Winston bought that diary, he's had the feeling that it's inevitable that he'll get caught. So, he has always had that nervous thought in his mind when he's going against the party. Julia, on the other hand, feels that there's a way to live like the Party wants you too and still get away with the rebellious acts. So, that's where Winston and Julia have different views about their relationship and their actions against the Party.
Even though the relationship between Winston and Julia has just started, we're already trying to point their similarities and differences. One of the views/interests that their relationship shares is their dislike of the Party and what they stand for. They like doing things that are against the Party. In essence, their relationship is a political act against the Party because the Party is against having sex for pleasure... only for procreation. And, the reason why the Party doesn't want it for pleasure is because it would be for someone's self-interest... making them more of an individual. So, if the Party can control people from not having sex for pleasure, then they can get them to participate in more Party activities like the two-minutes Hate and prisoner executions and so on. But, simply put, both Winston and Julia agree on doing things that the Party doesn't want them to do. So, Winston and Julia can agree that they're rebelling, but rebelling quietly. Now, Julia and Winston have some differences. It's true that they agree to rebel against the Party, but they do it for different reasons. Winston has this idea of one day the Party will be no more. Julia isn't out to destroy the Party. There are just some things like sleeping with men that she finds attractive that she wants to quietly get away with. Also, ever since Winston bought that diary, he's had the feeling that it's inevitable that he'll get caught. So, he has always had that nervous thought in his mind when he's going against the party. Julia, on the other hand, feels that there's a way to live like the Party wants you too and still get away with the rebellious acts. So, that's where Winston and Julia have different views about their relationship and their actions against the Party.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
1984 Blog #4
Look at Julia and Winston’s conversation at the end of Chapter 2. One statement that really stands out is when Winston, “I hate purity, I hate goodness. I don’t want any virtue to exist anywhere.” Think of John’s defiant speech to Mustapha Mond at the end of Chapter 17 of Brave New World. Do these statements relate in any way? What is Winston saying here? And are there other notable statements here that you feel you should bring up?
When thinking about John's speech to Mustapha Mond, Winston's statement at the end of chapter two are related because of their meanings and their intentions for their statements. When you think about Brave New World and how everyone just wanted to have sex with everyone and live life easily, John didn't agree with their standards of living. He felt like it was wrong. Same goes for Winston and why he said things he said at the end of chapter two. But, it's odd because you would think that his life is miserable and he wants things like purity and goodness and virtue, which could possibly help his horrible living conditions in 1984. But, he says these things because the Party represents these words, or they would like for everyone to believe they are. So, the party claims they are "purity" and "good". But, since Winston wants nothing to do with the Party, he hates the things the Party represents. And, also, another way to look at why Winston said those things is because of their official language of Newspeak. Newspeak is designed to limit words and phrases that could potentially relate to rebellious thoughts against the party, making it a version of mind control. So, to us, it sounds odd that he hates purity and goodness etc. but maybe thats because his vocabulary is limited due to Newspeak. But, really, Winston is feeling more like an individual rather than part of the group or should i say... the Party.
When thinking about John's speech to Mustapha Mond, Winston's statement at the end of chapter two are related because of their meanings and their intentions for their statements. When you think about Brave New World and how everyone just wanted to have sex with everyone and live life easily, John didn't agree with their standards of living. He felt like it was wrong. Same goes for Winston and why he said things he said at the end of chapter two. But, it's odd because you would think that his life is miserable and he wants things like purity and goodness and virtue, which could possibly help his horrible living conditions in 1984. But, he says these things because the Party represents these words, or they would like for everyone to believe they are. So, the party claims they are "purity" and "good". But, since Winston wants nothing to do with the Party, he hates the things the Party represents. And, also, another way to look at why Winston said those things is because of their official language of Newspeak. Newspeak is designed to limit words and phrases that could potentially relate to rebellious thoughts against the party, making it a version of mind control. So, to us, it sounds odd that he hates purity and goodness etc. but maybe thats because his vocabulary is limited due to Newspeak. But, really, Winston is feeling more like an individual rather than part of the group or should i say... the Party.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
1984 Blog #3
In the second half of Book 1, we learn quite a bit about the methods of control used by the government. The most effective are language (which you have already discussed) and changing the past. Discuss the concept of “controlling the past,” both as a concept and the specific methods the Party uses. Why is this method so devastatingly effective?
When taking a look at the two methods of control, changing the past plays a very large role in the aspect control. In today's society, it would be very difficult convince everyone that... let's say... WWII didn't happen. Too many people would know that it did occur. But, in the society of 1984, the Party creates something called the Ministry of Truth, which its soul purpose is to rewrite the past to whatever the Party wants it to be so that whatever they say is fact. And, a lot of the time, the Party changes its mind. So, the Ministry of Truth is quite busy. But, they basically rewrite the history, proclaim the new 'truth' either in writing or through the telescreen, and destroy an evidence or documents of what could have been the past... that includes all books. So, in 1984, books don't exist anymore. That's how the Ministry of Truth can get away with changing/controlling the past so well. They can get away with saying that they (the Party) invented air planes and they've (Oceania) always have been fighting with Eastasia and allied with Eurasia even though they clearly didn't invent the airplane and were arch enemies with Eurasia not that long ago. But, controlling the past is what the party does in order to keep their way of life going.
When taking a look at the two methods of control, changing the past plays a very large role in the aspect control. In today's society, it would be very difficult convince everyone that... let's say... WWII didn't happen. Too many people would know that it did occur. But, in the society of 1984, the Party creates something called the Ministry of Truth, which its soul purpose is to rewrite the past to whatever the Party wants it to be so that whatever they say is fact. And, a lot of the time, the Party changes its mind. So, the Ministry of Truth is quite busy. But, they basically rewrite the history, proclaim the new 'truth' either in writing or through the telescreen, and destroy an evidence or documents of what could have been the past... that includes all books. So, in 1984, books don't exist anymore. That's how the Ministry of Truth can get away with changing/controlling the past so well. They can get away with saying that they (the Party) invented air planes and they've (Oceania) always have been fighting with Eastasia and allied with Eurasia even though they clearly didn't invent the airplane and were arch enemies with Eurasia not that long ago. But, controlling the past is what the party does in order to keep their way of life going.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
1984 Blog #2
To begin, think about why Winston is writing in his diary and why this is a crime. In what way is writing things down a threat to the Party? Why is Winston drawn to this activity? Now consider Syme’s job of destroying words. Discuss the control of language as a method of controlling individuality.
At first, we really don't know Winston all that much at the beginning of the book. But, for some reason, he decides to buy a diary for himself. The reason why Winston buys a diary is because he has a lot of things he's thinking about and it might help by writing them out. By writing in a diary, it's considered a crime to the Party. In fact, just buying a diary is considered a crime. This is because a diary leads the consumer to write individual, original thoughts, which doesn't work with the Party. The Party wants to the past so that they can control the future. And, the way they control the past is to rewrite history. But, if there are people writing things in the privacy of their homes, then it causes problems for the party to take complete control of history because other people could see the stuff written in the diary and it can show that the party is lying, which could cause disloyalty and rebellion. Now, the deal with Syme is that he wants to get rid of as many words as possible (Newspeak). His goal to get rid of as much words as possible so it would be almost impossible for people to think of a "thoughtcrime". And, this can be achieved by the lack of vocabulary. And, with less words... comes less individuality. If there are less words to express themselves, then it draws away the aspect of individuality. They wouldn't know how to say how they truly feel. So, with less words... comes and more common people.
At first, we really don't know Winston all that much at the beginning of the book. But, for some reason, he decides to buy a diary for himself. The reason why Winston buys a diary is because he has a lot of things he's thinking about and it might help by writing them out. By writing in a diary, it's considered a crime to the Party. In fact, just buying a diary is considered a crime. This is because a diary leads the consumer to write individual, original thoughts, which doesn't work with the Party. The Party wants to the past so that they can control the future. And, the way they control the past is to rewrite history. But, if there are people writing things in the privacy of their homes, then it causes problems for the party to take complete control of history because other people could see the stuff written in the diary and it can show that the party is lying, which could cause disloyalty and rebellion. Now, the deal with Syme is that he wants to get rid of as many words as possible (Newspeak). His goal to get rid of as much words as possible so it would be almost impossible for people to think of a "thoughtcrime". And, this can be achieved by the lack of vocabulary. And, with less words... comes less individuality. If there are less words to express themselves, then it draws away the aspect of individuality. They wouldn't know how to say how they truly feel. So, with less words... comes and more common people.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
1984 Blog #1
The first three chapters of 1984 invite us into the world of Airstrip One (formerly England) in the fictitious year of 1984. Read these chapters carefully and describe this world as completely as you can. In your answer, you should consider the following: What is the government like? What are people’s lives like? How did things get this way? Do you note any characteristics of a dystopian society? What are they?
In 1984, author, George Orwell, wrote a novel describing our society if the events that were taking place during WWII continued. He envisioned a dystopian world that instead of hundreds of countries, was split into three separate "continents" called: Oceania, Eurasia, Eastasia. And, the world is run by the "Party". The novel's main character, Winston Smith, lives in what we know as London, England. But, in this society it's called London, Airstrip one, Oceania. Very strange, but that's how things are now. But, unlike Brave New World, the people in this society have very unpleasant lives because they constantly live in state of fear and misery. That's how they can keep the society the way it is. They don't stand for any disloyality. In fact, if you even think about committing a crime against the Party, (thoughtcrime) you could be arrested and executed for it. So, this society is very dystopian. Like their slogan says, "Big Brother is watching you..." And, on top of that, this society promotes hatred to one another and always makes them think that they are in a state of war. Apparently, that state of being unities large groups of people together, but only to hate a common enemy, not to be close like a community. So, it's a very interesting situation we've been presented in Orwell's novel of 1984.
In 1984, author, George Orwell, wrote a novel describing our society if the events that were taking place during WWII continued. He envisioned a dystopian world that instead of hundreds of countries, was split into three separate "continents" called: Oceania, Eurasia, Eastasia. And, the world is run by the "Party". The novel's main character, Winston Smith, lives in what we know as London, England. But, in this society it's called London, Airstrip one, Oceania. Very strange, but that's how things are now. But, unlike Brave New World, the people in this society have very unpleasant lives because they constantly live in state of fear and misery. That's how they can keep the society the way it is. They don't stand for any disloyality. In fact, if you even think about committing a crime against the Party, (thoughtcrime) you could be arrested and executed for it. So, this society is very dystopian. Like their slogan says, "Big Brother is watching you..." And, on top of that, this society promotes hatred to one another and always makes them think that they are in a state of war. Apparently, that state of being unities large groups of people together, but only to hate a common enemy, not to be close like a community. So, it's a very interesting situation we've been presented in Orwell's novel of 1984.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Brave New World: Blog #2
One of the difficult questions to answer about this book is why all of this is so very bad. Many people have described Huxely's vision of the future as "horrifying" However, the fact remains that everyone in the society is really happy, really content, really without war, or pain, or suffering. So, what's so bad about it, really? It's often an easy answer to feel but a difficult one to verbalize. Respond to this issue. If you want to say it's not so bad, and you really mean it, that's okay too. Just be specific and thoughtful.
It's true that Huxely has embedded this World State society with the good things from our society today, which would give us the illusion of Huxely's future society isn't so bad. However, there are still some issues that I feel make this society "horrifying". And, the reason why I say this is because our society has conditioned us with customs and morals that make this society seem wrong. One of the biggest problems with this society to me is that they are conditioned to not be curious, to explore, or learn new things. They don't realize all the opportunities and experiences they are missing. So, with that in mind, their personal freedoms are more limited. Also, I don't like the fact that everyone believes that anything that's not part of their society is wrong! I mean, sure there are people in our world that are hard core believers in their traditions that they would discriminate others for not believing with them. But, at least, it's not everyone! There are societies and cultures in our world that still leave wiggle room to be open minded and respect others beliefs and believe what you want to believe. And, my final thought for now about this question is that I don't like how all of history is wiped out from the "general public" of the World State. it's scary to think about because in the future, it's like we never existed. To the World State, they believe that it's always been that way since Henry Ford! (Praise Our Ford! lol) So, indeed this question about everything about Huxely's future is bad is difficult, but the reasons i just mentioned are what I came up with off the top of my head.
It's true that Huxely has embedded this World State society with the good things from our society today, which would give us the illusion of Huxely's future society isn't so bad. However, there are still some issues that I feel make this society "horrifying". And, the reason why I say this is because our society has conditioned us with customs and morals that make this society seem wrong. One of the biggest problems with this society to me is that they are conditioned to not be curious, to explore, or learn new things. They don't realize all the opportunities and experiences they are missing. So, with that in mind, their personal freedoms are more limited. Also, I don't like the fact that everyone believes that anything that's not part of their society is wrong! I mean, sure there are people in our world that are hard core believers in their traditions that they would discriminate others for not believing with them. But, at least, it's not everyone! There are societies and cultures in our world that still leave wiggle room to be open minded and respect others beliefs and believe what you want to believe. And, my final thought for now about this question is that I don't like how all of history is wiped out from the "general public" of the World State. it's scary to think about because in the future, it's like we never existed. To the World State, they believe that it's always been that way since Henry Ford! (Praise Our Ford! lol) So, indeed this question about everything about Huxely's future is bad is difficult, but the reasons i just mentioned are what I came up with off the top of my head.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Brave New World: Blog #1
Obviously, none of Huxley’s predictions have come true exactly. For that matter, none of The Jetson’s or Back to the Future’s predictions have come true exactly. Predicting the future is a tricky business, whether done seriously or in jest. However, there are elements of truth in Huxley’s vision of the world. Discuss some of these. Which aspects of Brave New World’s society seemed most relevant in 2009? Which most far-fetched? Why?
Huxely has made some extreme predictions about what the future would be like. Most of his predictions aren't true. However, there are a couple parts of Huxely's World State society that is already happening now in 2009. A lot of it revolves around procreation. We have developed multiple forms of birth control. We also have ways to create babies outside of the womb. It's very similar to the Huxely's vision of bottle babies. But, there were some predictions that did seem very far-fetched. For example, the annihilation of all history. That's seems ridiculous. Also, the fact that everyone is pre-destined into a caste (social class) that they never can get out of. And, finally, another outrageous vision of the future as to be stopping all forms of religion and worshiping Henry Ford?! I find that highly unlikely. But, in general, there are some aspects in the society of Brave New World that can relate to our society in 2009. The advancement of technology has become more rapid in the past century and at this rate, we'll discover much more new exciting things about our world that we live in. And, I believe with this advancement in technology, we will start to live much easier lives as well as attaining a better understanding of our world. I still think that Huxely's vision of the future is a little out there. But, who knows what the future will bring? We certainly don't...
Huxely has made some extreme predictions about what the future would be like. Most of his predictions aren't true. However, there are a couple parts of Huxely's World State society that is already happening now in 2009. A lot of it revolves around procreation. We have developed multiple forms of birth control. We also have ways to create babies outside of the womb. It's very similar to the Huxely's vision of bottle babies. But, there were some predictions that did seem very far-fetched. For example, the annihilation of all history. That's seems ridiculous. Also, the fact that everyone is pre-destined into a caste (social class) that they never can get out of. And, finally, another outrageous vision of the future as to be stopping all forms of religion and worshiping Henry Ford?! I find that highly unlikely. But, in general, there are some aspects in the society of Brave New World that can relate to our society in 2009. The advancement of technology has become more rapid in the past century and at this rate, we'll discover much more new exciting things about our world that we live in. And, I believe with this advancement in technology, we will start to live much easier lives as well as attaining a better understanding of our world. I still think that Huxely's vision of the future is a little out there. But, who knows what the future will bring? We certainly don't...
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