Imagine a world in which people are produced in factories, a world lost of all
freedom and individuality, a world where people are exiled or “disappear”
for breaking the mold. Both 1984 by George Orwell and Aldous Huxley’s Brave
New World are startling depictions of such a society. Although these novels are
of fictional worlds, control of the future may be subtly evolving and becoming
far worse than Huxley or Orwell could ever have imagined. Each society destroys
the freedom of the individual through various controlling methods such as the
denial of language and literature, a caste system and conditioning. One way in
which each society controls is by limiting the language and literature of every
citizen. In 1984, a language called Newspeak is devised in order to narrow all
thought into one mode. There are three categories of Newspeak vocabulary: A, B
and C. The A vocabulary consists of words used in everyday life to express
simple thoughts. The B vocabulary includes words meant for political usage,
forcing a particular mental state on the person using the vocabulary. Finally,
the C vocabulary is based solely on technical and scientific words, constructed
of only strict and rigid meanings. Individual thought is completely impossible
because the constricted vocabulary is intended to include only principles of the
Newspeak language. The vocabulary is constructed so that words of unorthodox
meaning such as “individual freedom” are eliminated all together. Newspeak
is designed to douse the flame of thought and idea, while encouraging collective
ideas. Over time, Newspeak destroys any variation of idea from the intention of
the “Party’s”. Literature is also slowly altered so that the author’s
original meaning is lost to the meaning of the Newspeak language. Newspeak
translations seem to consume thoughts and memories much like a sponge absorbs
water. In the Brave New World, literature and art are taken away in order to
destroy individuality and freedom of thought. For as Mustapha Mond says, “It
isn’t only art that’s incompatible with happiness; it’s also science.
Science is dangerous; we have to keep it most carefully chained and muzzled”
(Huxley 231). The Controller has made thinking impossible by taking away all
science, art and religious based books. Literature, such as Shakespeare and the
Bible, that teaches old-fashioned morality and beliefs is non-existent in the
brave new world because people cannot understand its text. Consequently, by
banning literature the people cannot experience life to the fullest. Its colors
are dulled because the individual never has the chance to feel the vast spectrum
of life. Emotions like anger, sorrow, love, trust and caring do not exist. As
the Savage explains, he never knew he hated Pope until he felt the emotions
through the works of Shakespeare. Thus, by destroying forms of art, all emotions
are destroyed as well. Only happiness at its simplest state is spared, for blind
happiness is necessary for stability. As an individual, there comes an ability
to recognize and value what beauty truly is, such as the waves crashing upon a
shore or the innocence of a child. But with the denial of literature and
language, the individual is a mindless member of society. In each novel, a caste
system is developed in hopes of keeping each group separate from one another,
yet each individual alike. In the book 1984, there are three different social
classes: the Inner Party-the rich, the Outer Party-the middle class, and the
Proles-the poor. Each party plays a part in an endless cycle of control. The
Inner Party controls and is out of touch with the others. The Outer party
resents the Inner party’s superiority, while the Prolesare seemingly oblivious
to their destitute place in society. As the classes are detached and busy, the
Inner Party is free to create the future by destroying all evidence of the past.
For example, if an estimated 10 million shoes are to be produced that year and
only 5 million are actually produced, then they destroy all evidence of ever
having estimated 10 million. They find all newspapers including this information
and destroy them. The Ministry of Truth then prints a new estimate in the next
newspaper, stating they over-filled their quota. The caste system is a way of
manipulating the thoughts and actions of each group, thus limiting the power
they possess to realize their individualism. In Brave New World, each person is
chemically pre-determined and born into a certain class. There are several
castes beginning with the Alphas, the highest class, to the Epsilons, the lowest
class. Each person is merged into a certain social position in which they are
conditioned to be content. As young children, members of each caste dresses in a
distinct color to identify themselves with one another. They are also taught to
dislike those who are different by the soft whispers played into their ears,
increasing the gap between the groups. They are all identical and incapable of
asserting individual will and free thought. Intellectual incapabilities and the
preoccupation with work deter them from an original thought process.
Conditioning also eliminates the possibility of individuality in each society.
In 1984, the members are occupied with a job by day and “Party” activities
by evening. They are encouraged to participate in “Party” related activities
at the Community Center amongst like-minded people. This allows for limited time
to ponder their thoughts in solitude. Individualism is also controlled through
enforced uniformity. Each and every member is constantly in the presence of a
telescreen. The telescreen monitors each members’ actions throughout the day
and their sleep throughout the night. For example, “Smith!” yelled a voice
from the telescreen. “6079 Smith W! Hands out of pockets in the cells!”
(187) Even while being held by the Thought Police, Winston is watched by a
telescreen. Each man and woman looks very similar in appearance and in dress as
well. All clothes are described as dull, mostly in shades of gray and black.
Using one of the Party’s mottoes, “Freedom is Slavery”, conditioning is
also administered. This basically states that the individual does not survive
alone. Only as part of a collective culture, the “Party”, will a person live
on forever. The motto, “Ignorance is Strength” also limits individualism by
spreading ignorance. The Inner Party keeps the Outer Party ignorant by
constantly changing the truth, and destroying all data proving otherwise. The
Proles are also kept ignorant through contentness, achieved by allowing them
certain liberties such as love, family and sexual relations. These activities
act as an escape for any emotions that must be released. They are not considered
a true menace to society because they are incapable of intelligent thought and
action. Citizens of the brave new world are conditioned both physically and
chemically prior to “birth”. While developing in the tube, each baby is
assured the proper physical characteristics and given certain vaccinations.
Every tube baby will develop a liking and an aptitude for the work they will do
as adults. After birth, hypnopaedia is used to plant suggestions that will
channel each child into a certain mind-set associated with their castes. They
are conditioned to dread being alone, for isolation creates introspection, which
in turn fosters a sense of individualism. For example, this is expressed in a
scene where Bernard takes Lenina out on a first date. He suggests they go for a
walk and talk, but Lenina finds such an activity distasteful. She instead
persuades Bernard to take her to the Semi-Demi Finals of the Women’s
Heavyweight Wrestling Championships (Huxley 64). Soma tablets are also
distributed in order to calm any hint of revolt or occurrence of thought. It is
a drug taken to dull the senses of the urgency and desire for action. For as
Lenina says, “Remember one cubic centimetere cures ten gloomy sentiments”
(Huxley 89). Throughout 1984 and Brave New World, each method of control is
intended to keep the individual from questioning their individuality. By
limiting language and literature, creating social classes and conditioning,
these societies are able to accomplish their goal. Yet, as long as humans
continue to desire to acquire knowledge, this will never be allowed to happen.
For it is upon the strengths of the individuals that our entire society is
built.