1984 vs. Harrison Bergeron

Vonnegut Jr.'s Harrison Bergeron and Orwell's 1984 are based on the concept of negative utopia. The governments in both these novels control their masses using harsh methods. The government in 1984 uses brainwashing, doublethink, mutability of the past and vaporization to control its masses. The government in Harrison Bergeron uses physical and mental handicaps to control its masses and in the effort to make everyone equal. Both the governments have a tight control on its people but the government in 1984 has a stronger and more affective control over its masses than the government in Harrison Bergeron.

The government in 1984 completely restricts the mere freedom of thought. Anyone who thinks anything that the government finds threatening, is committing thoughtcrime. One can not have an individualistic opinion or idea, think about building a family, think about falling in love with someone, or even have sexual fantasies or desires. All of these are rendered as thoughtcrime. This restriction on thought is done to remove from a person any sense of individuality due to the sole reason that individuality may lead to rebellion against the Party. This can lead to the Party being overthrown. The Party wants to remain in power. It can only achieve this if its members remain isolated, and not band together and rebel like the Proles. The readers only come across two characters, Julia and Winston, who knowingly committed thoughtcrime. The Party knows exactly what one is thinking with the aid of Thought Police, and Telescreens. Telescreens are located at almost every location, monitoring everyone's every single move. A little twitch of the face can mean that it is triggered by a bad thought, thus rendering it as a thoughtcrime. If found guilty of thoughtcrime, the penalty that follows is hefty. As stated by Winston, "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: Thoughtcrime is death." (Page 30). The magnitude of the penalty issued by the government, instils fear into the inhabitants