Frankenstein and 1984: Cautionary Tales
1984 and Frankenstein: Cautionary Tales
George Orwell and Mary Shelley use their works as precautions to potential disasters in society. As Orwell is warning humanity of the hazards of totalitarian rule, Shelley is forewarning the danger of science becoming too powerful for mankind’s own good. In 1984, Winston fully changes as a character from despising the Party to loving Big Brother. If it was not for the strong pressure to conform inflicted upon him by the Party, Winston would never have gained the love for Big Brother. In Frankenstein, Victor shifts from a child dreaming of recognition and fame for discovering the secret of life to a twisted man with an obsession with getting revenge on his own creation. His act of creation results in the destruction of all his loved ones. Shelley uses Victor’s shocking experience and transformation to caution society of the threat of science consuming humanity. Winston in 1984 forewarns humanity of totalitarianism through the conversion of hatred to love, while Victor warns mankind about the potential effect of science becoming dominant through his change from an innocent to malicious man.
George Orwell’s 1984 is admonishing the human race of what could happen to society if the government were to gain control of every aspect of life. The story may exaggerate these circumstances; however, it is bringing attention to the issue of totalitarianism. 1984 proves to be a cautionary tale as it shows the gradual change in Winston’s character throughout the novel. At the very start of the novel, Orwell portrays Winston as a regular citizen who is obeying the Party. As the story progresses, Winston begins to understand how the system of the government of Oceania truly has full control of its citizens, and he recognizes his deep hatred for Big Brother and the oppression of the government. At the end of it all, through endless amounts of torture, Winston’s state of mind is drastically altered to actually love Big Brother. The novel is a
George Orwell and Mary Shelley use their works as precautions to potential disasters in society. As Orwell is warning humanity of the hazards of totalitarian rule, Shelley is forewarning the danger of science becoming too powerful for mankind’s own good. In 1984, Winston fully changes as a character from despising the Party to loving Big Brother. If it was not for the strong pressure to conform inflicted upon him by the Party, Winston would never have gained the love for Big Brother. In Frankenstein, Victor shifts from a child dreaming of recognition and fame for discovering the secret of life to a twisted man with an obsession with getting revenge on his own creation. His act of creation results in the destruction of all his loved ones. Shelley uses Victor’s shocking experience and transformation to caution society of the threat of science consuming humanity. Winston in 1984 forewarns humanity of totalitarianism through the conversion of hatred to love, while Victor warns mankind about the potential effect of science becoming dominant through his change from an innocent to malicious man.
George Orwell’s 1984 is admonishing the human race of what could happen to society if the government were to gain control of every aspect of life. The story may exaggerate these circumstances; however, it is bringing attention to the issue of totalitarianism. 1984 proves to be a cautionary tale as it shows the gradual change in Winston’s character throughout the novel. At the very start of the novel, Orwell portrays Winston as a regular citizen who is obeying the Party. As the story progresses, Winston begins to understand how the system of the government of Oceania truly has full control of its citizens, and he recognizes his deep hatred for Big Brother and the oppression of the government. At the end of it all, through endless amounts of torture, Winston’s state of mind is drastically altered to actually love Big Brother. The novel is a