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Similarities Between 1984 And Gattaca

Decent Essays

In the dystopian worlds created by the film director Andrew Niccol and renowned author George Orwell, notions of control and freedom are explored. Both worlds contain an overarching power that governs the rest of the population and restricts freedom of individuals, these powers also aid in the progression of technology, which further act to control individuals. The characterisations of the protagonists of each text portray the lack of freedom from the perspective of those that are affected. Both authors use a variety of techniques to portray themes of control and freedom in their texts. Both Gattaca and 1984, explore notions of control over individual freedom exhibited by the dogma’s present in both worlds. Within both dystopian worlds, …show more content…

Ultimately, the doctrines within both worlds constrict the freedom of individuals. Both texts explore how advancements in technology impact the freedom of individuals. In Gattaca, advancements in science – mainly in genetic engineering – leading to discrimination, in 1984, technological advancements such as the development of telescreens impacts the freedom people have as they are constantly watched. Within Gattaca, the genetic discrimination leads to a loss in freedom as “invalids” are denied jobs since “[the] real resume is in [their] cells.” The telescreens in 1984 constantly patrol individuals for any signs of rebellion against the party, even “a couple of seconds during which the expression in [their] eyes might conceivably [betray them]” to the party as a “thought criminal”. Within Gattaca, the world is portrayed as sterile and mechanical, everything is perfect – including the people – harshly juxtaposing with the imperfect world of nature. Similarly, in 1984, the party’s ideal set up was “a world of steel and concrete, of monstrous machines and terrifying weapons – a nation of warriors…marching forward in perfect unity…the reality was decaying, dingy cities where underfed people shuffled to and fro.” Both worlds wish for perfection and a loss of identity, this, however, is impossible. In Gattaca, someone will always have more superior genetics than others, leading to a constant inequality between

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