I recently did this essay for Mod A, a comparative between 1984 and Metropolis. I got 18/20 whereas most members of my class got 19-20s. My teacher didnt offer me anything on how to improve it. Thanks in advance for the help!
How does a study of 1984 contribute to our understanding of the nature of power and control in Metropolis?
The strictly governed nature of a hierarchical society can reveal a sinister world of oppression and manipulation which is explored through a government’s abuse of power and control. Shaped by the events of 1948, George Orwell’s Juvenalian satire ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ (‘1984’) critically addresses notions of totalitarian rule and the nature of oppression, condemning communist and fascist ideals which emerged and resulted in the Cold War in the 1930s. Influenced by his socialist ideals, Orwell presents a dystopic society dominated by a tyrannical government that creates a dystopic state. In addition, the 1927 science-fiction film ‘Metropolis’ by Fritz Lang further illustrates a divided society which is ruled by an authoritarian figure. The film expresses the epitome of German Expressionism, a modernist movement during the height of the Weimar Republic, defined by industrialism and a mechanized society. Both Orwell and Lang highlight the exploitation of the proletariat and the inherent abuse of power and control inciting an inevitable rebellion. Thus, the abusive qualities of government institutions can result in a manipulation of power and exploitation of control, explored through the Orwell and Lang’s alternate texts.
‘1984’ highlights the detriment of a totalitarian society, whereby free thought is controlled and public opinion is condemned and crushed through the media propaganda and manipulation of language. ‘Newspeak’ is utilised as a tyrannical device, symbolising the oppression of individuality and inhibition of thought. The absurdity of this notion allows Orwell to exaggerate the extent of the control that the government holds over the population, emphasised through the dialogue, “don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought?” Society is metaphorically “unconscious”, bound by extreme orthodoxy of thought and language. Individual liberty is corrupted; the population are strictly controlled by the propaganda symbol of Big Brother, analogous of Adolf Hitler. Additionally, the neologism of ‘double think’ solidifies the Party’s ability to override dissent, grasping control over society. This is exemplified within Winston’s desperate tone in “It exists in memory… you remember it,” to which O’Brien responds he does not, elucidating a sense of helplessness. The issue of propaganda and manipulation is further expressed within the ‘Two Minutes Hate’, an allusion to the German propaganda film ‘Triumph of the Will’, utilised to fuel anger towards the enemy. Therefore, the distortion of the truth through media and the reinvention of language reveals the menacing nature of totalitarian societies, highlighting the insatiable nature of power and control held by authorities.
Equivalent to the suppressed society of ‘1984’, Lang’s ‘Metropolis’ encapsulates the abuse of power through the oppressive authoritarian rule of subhuman class workers. A social divide is evident, established through a mise en scene depicting lines of people entering a cage-like elevator descending into the depths. Use of chiaroscuro lighting and dismal costuming of the workers holds negative connotations with their synchronised movements and bowed heads indicating sense of oppression and uniformity. Lang reveals the drastic disparities between the upper and lower classes through frivolous music paired with a long shot of the Club of Sons, juxtaposing the lavish utopia with the worker’s city. These literal levels of Metropolis illustrate the physical power structure and exploitation of the workers. Furthermore, a motif of machinery juxtaposes how workers are treated as expendable tools that exist to support the machines and the city above viewed in a mise en scene of the clock-man. The workers are juxtaposed to the disproportionate size of the machines, highlighting the reduction of humanity as a result of industrialist power abuse. The machine is personified as Moloch, established through a long shot paired with ominous music, metaphorically representing the oppression of the lower classes. A hell-like atmosphere is created, symbolizing the savage exploitation of labour as the workers are being fed into the machine. This is similar to the caricature of Winston as the ‘everyman’, a victim authoritarian abuse, who was consumed by the totalitarian state and transformed into an obedient servant. It is evident how social stratifications elevate a sense of control, as totalitarian states illustrate the abusive characteristic government figures.
Opposition to power and control is revealed through an intellectual recognition of the desire for individual autonomy, as revealed through Winston’s recognition of the value of personal identity. Orwell further explores extremes of control through the absurd neologism of ‘thought-crime’, in which independent dissident thoughts are considered an act of rebellion. Self-expression and individuality, fundamental to the human condition, are condemned by the Party, hyperbolised as insanity. Despite the attempt to control human nature, Winston’s diary is symbolic of his defiance of the system. Repetition of the maxim “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER,” highlights Winston’s rebellion against the Party, and his resistance to their control. Orwell highlights how absolute power and control leads to the complete reduction of humanity, represented through the anticlimactic destruction of Winston. This is juxtaposed to ‘Metropolis’, which explores a positive outcome from rebellion, overcoming the threat of authoritarian power and abolishing control in order to achieve equality within society. This is elevated through the doublethink incongruity of “2+2=5”. Winston’s metaphorical “victory over himself” alludes to the nihilistic notion of the destruction of all values; Orwell posits that rebellion does not lead to redemption, and warns that totalitarian regimes will consequently result in the loss of all moral and sane judgement. Thus, 1984 portrays how rebellion against power results in the extreme degradation of humanity, revealing the methodical process of destruction from power and control.
As a result of excessive power abuse, the usurping of authority can lead to a discovery of a connection and community, which surpasses power structures in society. This is demonstrated within Metropolis, in which Freder’s symbolic rejection of his father highlights his transcendence of socio-political structures that divide the classes. Further, Lang biblically alludes to Maria as a matriarchal figure of power, represented through use of religious iconography of the crucifix, who advocates for the unity of the “thinkers” and the “workers”. The peaceful nature of Maria is juxtaposed to false Maria, who is characterised as the follies of man (the Seven Sins), whose purpose was to divide society and stratify power structures. Avant-garde costuming is utilised to depict the false Maria as the Whore of Babylon and mother of abomination, foreshadowing the downfall of Metropolis, resulting in a literal and metaphorical loss of power in the industrialist city. The power struggle between the classes ironically results in a realisation of need for community and balance. Thus, the overriding of power and control reveals justice in society, depicted through the symbolic Mediator, who joins the opposing masses together. Freder vanquishes the divide of power, fulfilling his role as the Mediator “between the head and hands”, juxtaposed to Winston’s loss of identity due to failure to thwart the system. Lang emphasises that systematic rule can be overcome, and autocratic societies can be transformed, initiating new freedom and expelling the abusive institutions of power and control.
The synthesis of Lang and Orwell’s respective texts reveals the extent of power and control within totalitarian societies, revealed through the distortion of truth through media propaganda. The insatiable nature of power and control is further emphasised through social stratifications, which can ultimately lead to rebellion against authorities. Systematic rule and how it can transform negatively and positively is thus explored.