Module C: BNW and V for Vendetta

Question 1

Written following World War I, Aldous Huxley’s satirical dystopian novel ‘Brave New World’ (1931) represents the powerlessness that can result from the overconcentration of political authority into the hands of a minority.

Answer 1

the powerlessness that can result from the overconcentration of political authority into the hands of a minority.

Question 2

‘Brave New World’

Answer 2

(1931

Question 3

Brave New World was a response to the First World War, the Great Depression and

Answer 3

what seemed to many people at the time to be the threat of imminent social collapse.

Question 4

The chaos of war followed by economic chaos scared people badly.

Answer 4

Democratic institutions appeared powerless to avoid catastrophe.

Question 5

Through ‘Brave New World’s temporally displaced, dystopian society, Huxley projects

Answer 5

his concerns for the rights and freedoms of Western society as they clung to political systems as their commitment to religion faltered following the atrocities of World War I.

Question 6

statement for propaganda/manipulation

Answer 6

Through the subjective nature of representation, Huxley similarly uses ‘Brave New World’ to convey his criticisms of the use and manipulation of advertising and media by political parties in the west to gain power and control the beliefs and actions of a society.

Question 7

Through the subjective nature of representation, Huxley similarly uses ‘Brave New World’ to convey his

Answer 7

criticisms of the use and manipulation of advertising and media by political parties in the west to gain power and control the beliefs and actions of a society.

Question 8

What does BNW (1931) explore?

Answer 8

the impact of oligarchy and manipulation on the individual and their relation to others.

Question 9

Huxley represents his ‘perfect’ society in a way that

Answer 9

alienates the audience and we feel the emotions that are missing from this construction.

Question 10

what do the citizens of the world state lack?

Answer 10

conscious volition, due to their conditioning

Question 11

“Ending is better than mending”

Answer 11

rhyme

Question 12

From birth, citizens are conscripted to consumption through hypnopaedia. The rhyme…

Answer 12

“Ending is better than mending” further conveys the power of language in influencing thought. We are forced to examine the impact of political slogans on our own individual actions & motivations

Question 13

“Nothing like oxygen

deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”

Answer 13

enthusiastic reference

Question 14

manipulation is achieved in the world state through the

pysochanalytical theory followed by the World State,

Answer 14

as they use technology to ensure they will never be able to make certain decisions or choices. This is disturbingly illustrated through the…

Question 15

manipulation is achieved in the world state through the
pysochanalytical theory followed by the World State, as they use technology to ensure they will never be able to make certain decisions or choices. This is disturbingly illustrated through

Answer 15

enthusiastic reference

“Nothing like oxygen
deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”

Question 16

another effect of “Nothing like oxygen

deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”

Answer 16

-The state has scientifically predestined conception so for every minute of their lives, their thoughts and actions are controlled.

Question 17

quote which shockingly emphasises the manipulation and complete autocracy of the World State

Answer 17

“Nothing like oxygen

deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”

Question 18

unwavering acceptance of the Director’s claims as fact at the Hatchery

Answer 18

“Straight from the horse’s mouth into the note book.”, describing the students’

Question 19

idiom

Answer 19

“Straight from the horse’s mouth into the note book.”, describing the students’ unwavering acceptance of the Director’s claims as fact at the Hatchery

Question 20

Huxley uses the hyperbolised ‘World State’ to portray this notion (his concerns for his society’s rights and freedoms), a government

Answer 20

which has conditioned its people so that they can no longer perceive or question their lack of free will. This is further depicted through…

Question 21

Huxley uses the hyperbolised ‘World State’ to portray this notion, a government which has conditioned its people so that they can no longer perceive or question their lack of free will. This is further depicted through…

Answer 21

“Straight from the horse’s mouth into the note book.”, describing the students’ unwavering acceptance of the Director’s claims as fact at the Hatchery
idiom

Question 22

quote about conformity vs freewill

Answer 22

“Straight from the horse’s mouth into the note book.”, describing the students’ unwavering acceptance of the Director’s claims as fact at the Hatchery
idiom

Question 23

“…their hands gloved with a pale corpse-coloured rubber”

Answer 23

imagery

Question 24

Huxley effectively establishes a society which recognises its people as little more than cogs in a machine, easily replaced as highlighted through…

Answer 24

imagery
“…their hands gloved with a pale corpse-coloured rubber”
connoting the prevalence of death and manipulation in the World State.

Question 25

lexicon

Answer 25

“There’s always soma to give you a holiday from the facts”

Question 26

Effect of lexicon “There’s always soma to give you a holiday from the facts”

Answer 26

acts as a metaphor for how the total abuse of power has been sustained. Conveying the consequences of ignorance in happiness

Question 27

Effect model citizen Lenina as she repeats the slogan “Was and will make me ill. Take a gram and I only am.”

Answer 27

revealing that such is the power of the world state that they have removed the capacity of free thought and volition from their citizens.

Question 28

slogan

Answer 28

model citizen Lenina as she repeats the slogan “Was and will make me ill. Take a gram and I only am.”

Question 29

revealing that such is the power of the world state that they have removed the capacity of free thought from their citizens. Huxley stresses

Answer 29

that necessary political discourse required between the oligarchy of the World State and its people, can never be realised due to the severe extent of manipulation within such a monopolised society.

Question 30

. Huxley stresses that necessary political discourse required between the oligarchy of the World State and its people, can never be realised due to the severe extent of manipulation within such a monopolised society. Huxley subtly

Answer 30

parallels this critique to his own society through the influence of mass media’s on individual thought and his society’s increasing preference towards instant gratification rather than contemplation

Question 31

Mond argues that

Answer 31

sacrificing art, religion and individual expression is “the price we have to pay for stability. You’ve got to choose between happiness and what people used to call high art.”

Question 32

Mond argues that sacrificing art, religion and individual expression is “the price we have to pay for stability. You’ve got to choose between happiness and what people used to call high art.”

Answer 32

analogy

Question 33

Satirical nature of novel exposed

Answer 33

through omnipresent 3rd person narration in the debate between John the Savage and 1 of the 10 World Controllers, Mustapha Mond.

Question 34

When people don’t know what they can’t have/don’t realise their oppression,

Answer 34

they can never escape it.

Question 35

quote for governance & political motivations

Answer 35

Mond argues that sacrificing art, religion and individual expression is “the price we have to pay for stability. You’ve got to choose between happiness and what people used to call high art.”

Question 36

what did Mond choose to pursue?

Answer 36

political power over scientific truth

Question 37

What are Mond’s motivations?

Answer 37

power motivation to exterminate the past.

Question 38

what shapes how people in politics are represented?

Answer 38

context, motives, perceptions, the truth, shape how people in politics are represented.

Question 39

what does analysing these texts provide us with?

Answer 39

insight into the complexities of political representation

Question 40

What does Mond’s characterisation of John

Answer 40

antithesis to the political ideology of the World State and representative of the Reservations dominant values and morals is more closely aligned with the West’s capitalist influence ideology of individual freedom.

Question 41

What does John, the bewildered outsider represent

Answer 41

an antithesis to the political ideologies of the World State.

Question 42

What generation was Huxley’s writing part of?

Answer 42

a post world war nihilist generation

Question 43

What conflicting political perspectives does Huxley represent?

Answer 43

the worst aspects of communism (world state) and democracy (the Reservation).

Question 44

What does Huxley use the novel to heavily challenge?

Answer 44

the ‘utopian’ societies frequently promoted following WWI by communist and fascist principles.

Question 45

What does John the Savage represent?

Answer 45

the Reservations dominant values and morals is more closely aligned with the West’s capitalist influence ideology of individual freedom.

Question 46

She was appalled by the rushing emptiness of the night, by the black foam-flecked water heaving beneath them… “Let’s turn on the radio. Quick!”

Answer 46

Compound sentences juxtaposed by truncated ones, contrasting tones

Question 47

We realise (from Lenina’s instability) that the powerful methods of manipulating people’s minds,

Answer 47

behaviourism and hypnopaedia are designed to ensure stability for society, however not for the individual.

Question 48

We realise (from Lenina’s instability) that the powerful methods of manipulating people’s minds, behaviourism and hypnopaedia are designed to ensure stability for society, however not for the individual.

Answer 48

She was appalled by the rushing emptiness of the night, by the black foam-flecked water heaving beneath them… “Let’s turn on the radio. Quick!”

Question 49

Mond states further “government’s an affair of sitting, not hitting. You rule with the brains and the buttocks, never with the fists”

Answer 49

Rhythmic allusion, alliteration

Question 50

Reiterates Mond’s belief that people should be ruled through intellectual rather than physical oppression.

Answer 50

Mond states further “government’s an affair of sitting, not hitting. You rule with the brains and the buttocks, never with the fists”

Question 51

Mond’s reference to Henry Ford’s famous comment “History is bunk”

Answer 51

Combined with the kinaesthetic imagery of history being “whisked” away and the narrators specificity of the historical events that the World State easily rejects yet remain treasured by our society, creates an a confronting verisimilitude.

Question 52

Huxley challenges his reader to consider the harrowing real possibilities that

Answer 52

could result if individuals were to trade individual thought and freedom for happiness, conformity and consumerism.

Question 53

Combined with the kinaesthetic imagery of history being “whisked” away and

Answer 53

the narrators specificity of the historical events that the World State easily rejects yet remain treasured by our society, creates an a confronting verisimilitude.

Question 54

Similarly to ‘Brave New World’ James McTeigue’s film ‘V for Vendetta’ conveys the volatile

Answer 54

nature of politics through his portrayal of a democracy’s rapid transformation into tyranny at the cost of its people.

Question 55

Both composers imbue their texts with the contemporary issues of their society, correspondingly

Answer 55

appealing to their audiences in order to spark a heightened realisation for the immense importance of political discourse and a diversion away from nescience and instant gratification.

Question 56

Through the subjective power of representation, both composers highlight the flaws of their societies,

Answer 56

each portraying the vulnerability of politics to abuse, and how this ultimately dictates the attitudes of a society.

Question 57

From comparison of these truthful representations, we realise that the strength of a society

Answer 57

in fact depends on the diversity of its people, and its capacity to represent their voices.

Question 58

In their respective texts, both Huxley and McTeigue proffer the stark

Answer 58

consequences of ignorance and political complacency in their societies. (totalitarianism)

Question 59

Despite ‘V for Vendetta’ having a distinct setting to ‘Brave New World’, through each composers intense portrayal of regimes that have been of stripped individualism and free will,

Answer 59

they conclusively emphasise the dangers of increased political power in a society and the suffocating impact it has on its citizens, projecting their fears for modern totalitarianism and hegemony.

Question 60

McTeigue’s engagement with the audience’s emotions enables

Answer 60

him to successfully depict the harrowing consequences of conformity through political idleness.

Question 61

Through recurring flashbacks to the hooded figures at Larkhill detention centre, McTeigue powerfully

Answer 61

references the US governments’ torture of prisoners at its prison in Abu Ghraib, Iraq.

Question 62

Through recurring flashbacks to the hooded figures at Larkhill detention centre, McTeigue powerfully references the US governments’ torture of prisoners at its prison in Abu Ghraib, Iraq.

Answer 62

This emphatically parallels the abuse of human rights by the audience’s own governments’ and the Norsefire political party.

Question 63

Through comparison we are reminded by the hegemony of each state in ‘Brave New World’ and ‘V for Vendetta’ that the political process should never be taken for granted.

Answer 63

Furthermore, McTeigue indicates that the when a majority remains politically inactive, the extreme anxieties of minorities can severely alter the political landscape of a state.

Question 64

Through comparison we are reminded by the hegemony of each state in ‘Brave New World’ and ‘V for Vendetta’ that

Answer 64

the political process should never be taken for granted.

Question 65

Furthermore, McTeigue indicates that the when a majority remains politically inactive,

Answer 65

the extreme anxieties of minorities can severely alter the political landscape of a state.

Question 66

Through Brave New World’s emphasis on manipulation of the unconscious mind,

Answer 66

Huxley warns the reader that totalitarianism can only be sustained through bypassing rational thought and manipulating human emotion. This is also portrayed in ‘V for Vendetta’, however in contrast to the World State, the citizens of the English society are oppressed by fear.

Question 67

the English society’s drab grey colours, along with the beige clothing worn by its citizens

Answer 67

emulates the complete monopoly of power, as McTeigue establishes a setting bereft of nature or individual expression.

Question 68

the of government officials, shrouded in darkness, as they attempt to rape Evey.

Answer 68

chiaroscuro lighting in the close up low angle shot

Question 69

Through his portrayal of Evey, incapacitated and isolated in her own society, we realise

Answer 69

that constantly living in fear can severely impacts our ability to form meaningful relationships with others.

Question 70

Through his purposeful composition choice, McTeigue capitalises on the audience’s emotions,

Answer 70

imbuing anger towards the government and empathy for its citizens, as he dictates their ability to form different perspectives.

Question 71

Through his purposeful composition choice, McTeigue capitalises on the audience’s emotions, imbuing anger towards the government and empathy for its citizens, as he dictates their ability to form different perspectives.

Answer 71

This enables us to recognise the complete power that is achieved through emotional manipulation.

Question 72

The domino scene of carefully ordered dominos in a ‘V’

Answer 72

Symbolism, creating a montage

Question 73

The domino scene of carefully ordered dominos in a ‘V’

Answer 73

symbolises V and his pursuit of freedom as an idea, rather than as human. he reaffirms this, stating ‘ideas are bulletproof’ conveying that even totalitarian governments can never have complete control over one’s thoughts. We recognise that ideas are vital to sparking societal change.

Question 74

depicts a mid shot of an aged man, shrouded in almost complete darkness.

Answer 74

chiaroscuro lighting,

Question 75

His unclear portrayal symbolises that only the faintest shadow of reason remained in the English state.
Furthermore, this technique compels the audience to engage with

Answer 75

his dialogue instead, as he simply describes the Government’s merciless manipulation “Fear became the ultimate tool of this government and through it our politician was ultimately appointed…”.

Question 76

“Truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you only need to look in the mirror.”

Answer 76

second person, symbolism

Question 77

Effect: “Truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you only need to look in the mirror.”

Answer 77

conveys that those who remain politically idle and fail to engage with the political issues of their society in an enlightened way are culpable for the repression they ultimately experience.

Question 78

technique:“This so-called “V” and his accomplice, Evey Hammond, neo-demagogues, spouting their message of hate” in his reporting their ‘terrorism’.

Answer 78

Convoluted, unusual addresses

Question 79

Effect “This so-called “V” and his accomplice, Evey Hammond, neo-demagogues, spouting their message of hate” in his reporting their ‘terrorism’.

Answer 79

McTeigue powerfully utilises the British Television Network (BTN) TV show and the characterisation of presenter Louis Prothero to emphasise the blurred line between truth and fiction….

Question 80

Prothero warps the truth in order to reaffirm Norsefire’s regime and

Answer 80

manipulate the citizen’s perspectives. We are provided with a stark reminder of the media’s power to influence our perspectives.

Question 81

of the Chancellor

Answer 81

high angle shots throughout film emphasise his complete power.

Question 82

Huxley subtly parallels this critique to his own society through the

Answer 82

influence of mass media’s on individual thought and his society’s increasing preference towards instant gratification rather than contemplation.

Question 83

In their representations of political systems that completely remove the liberties of their people, both Huxley and McTeigue powerfully

Answer 83

convey the need for constant political advocacy and individual voice.

Question 84

Upon comparison of both texts, we realise that in ‘Brave New World’, Huxley use of satire

Answer 84

in a completely removed society is designed to soften the confrontational nature of the novel.

Question 85

The brutally explicit references to contemporary Western society in ‘V for Vendetta’, however, provides us with insight into

Answer 85

how our society has not responded to the criticisms raised by Huxley, signalling that it must urgently alter its behaviour in order to safeguard our freedoms.

Question 86

Conclusion:By presenting completely monopolised societies, we are compelled to examine the important pillars of freedom that each composer has omitted

Answer 86

and to consider our own societal conditioning and how this damages our ability to participate in truly enlightened political discourse.

Question 87

Conclusion: These texts highlight that blindly trusting political groups

Answer 87

to safeguard the freedoms of a society immediately disempowers its citizens.

Question 88

Conclusion: Consequently we are reminded that whilst we have the

Answer 88

right to individual freedoms and autonomy, we ultimately hold the responsibility to advocate for them.

Question 89

Through the heavy censorship of information in each text, we learn that governments

Answer 89

which have control over the communication and literature in their society can maintain even the harshest forms of dictatorship.

Question 90

In Huxley and McTeigue’s representation of how people can influence and be influenced by politics,

Answer 90

we are forced to reconsider how our own actions, or lack there of, can enhance or limit our freedoms in society.

Question 91

In analysing these texts (/Handmaids), we realise that totalitarianism and the subjugation

Answer 91

of people is easily sustained when individual speech is restricted.

Question 92

Furthermore, the anger and shock that each composer elicits causes us to

Answer 92

reconsider our definition of politics and its true purpose in society. Does it exist to provide a voice for the people, or is it instead focussed on gaining land, power and money at the cost of the people?

Question 93

In comparing the stark futures prophesised by ‘Brave New World’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’/ V for Vendetta, we are provided

Answer 93

a chilling reminder that it is through our own ignorance in which our freedoms and rights are most threatened.

Question 94

What society is BNW

Answer 94

an ultramodern oligarchy

Question 95

Despite their differing portrayals of totalitarianism, upon comparison we realise that both texts

Answer 95

highlight the flaws of the Western world, exposing the consequences of political complacency.

Question 96

What does V for Vendetta demonstrate

Answer 96

” what can happen when a society is ruled by government, rather than the government being run as a voice of the people.” (McTeigue)

Question 97

Despite the hyperbolised, graphic nature of the film, what does McTeigue stress?

Answer 97

I” don’t think it’s such a big leap to say that things like that can happen when leaders stop listening to the people.”

Question 98

McTeigue’s specific compositional choice for ‘V’ to remain masked

Answer 98

elucidates the inherent connection between one’s personal and political agendas,

Question 99

The extended metaphor of the Guy Fawkes mask

Answer 99

functions to reiterate the concept of ideological compelling his audience to engage in more enlightened contemplations.

Question 100

Panning close up shots of London’s population’s faces which

Answer 100

are veiled under Guy Fawkes masks with jubilant music elucidates that one’s political and personal agenda’s are intrinsically linked.

Question 101

Panning close up shots of London’s population’s faces which

Answer 101

are veiled under Guy Fawkes masks with jubilant music explicates that one’s political and personal agenda’s are intrinsically linked.

Question 102

We realise that through V’s subversive agenda,

Answer 102

McTeigue promotes his own motive of political justice

Question 103

Mond’s character is paradoxical and ironic, he has access to Shakespeare and the Bible, yet

Answer 103

censors an monitors the ideas of the World State

Question 104

“But as I make the laws here, I can also break them.”

Answer 104

Mond’s character is paradoxical and ironic, he has access to Shakespeare and the Bible, yet censors an monitors the ideas of the World State

Question 105

Effect Mond argues that sacrificing art, religion and individual expression is “the price we have to pay for stability. You’ve got to choose between happiness and what people used to call high art.”

Answer 105

When people don’t know what they can’t have/don’t realise their oppression, they can never escape it. We realise that Mond values stability above all other virtue because it can lead to happiness.

Question 106

Effect: Contact with members of the lower castes always reminded him painfully of this physical inadequacy.

Answer 106

Conveys how Bernard, despite having insight into the damaging effects of conditioning on the individual, does recognise the power of his intellect, instead, viewing his physical differences as a constant threat to his superiority.

Question 107

Contact with members of the lower castes always reminded him painfully of this physical inadequacy.

Answer 107

direct, explicit description

Question 108

Huxley’s powerful characterisation of Marx as an anti-hero accentuates

Answer 108

the flaws of the World State, as we feel empathy whilst Huxley similarly positions us to reject him.

Question 109

This (characterisation of Marx) provides insight. This enables us to gain a deeper understanding of
the World State as we feel empathy for him, despite his anti-hero qualities and cowardice (“You can’t send me. I haven’t done anything… I swear it was the others.”)

Answer 109

into the division that oppressive rule can create in a society….

Question 110

This enables us to gain a deeper understanding of

the World State as we feel empathy for him, despite his anti-hero qualities and cowardice

Answer 110

“You can’t send me. I haven’t done anything… I swear it was the others.”

Question 111

“You can’t send me. I haven’t done anything… I swear it was the others.”

Answer 111

Short sentences create an indignant desperate tone

Question 112

Huxley’s powerful characterisation of Marx as an anti-hero accentuates the flaws of the World State, as we feel empathy whilst Huxley similarly positions us to reject him. This provides insight into the division that oppressive rule can create in a society and enables us to gain a deeper understanding of

Answer 112

the World State as we feel empathy for him, despite his anti-hero qualities and cowardice (“You can’t send me. I haven’t done anything… I swear it was the others.”)

Question 113

“But I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger… freedom… sin”

Answer 113

anaphora

Question 114

“But I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger… freedom… sin”

Answer 114

We realise that freedom enables us to experience both the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ of our humanity. Through John’s challenging of the World State, we realise that we can never appreciate the ‘good’ if we are not able to experience the ‘bad’. (Ironically representing the immense knowledge that the World State has lost due to its censorship)

Question 115

V embodies

Answer 115

the ideals of freedom, through his martyr like portrayal by McTeigue

Question 116

The warped reporting of fact by BTN emphasises

Answer 116

the constant propaganda that the citizens are fed.

Question 117

McTeigue’s use of familiar television settings critiques the use of the media’s propaganda

Answer 117

and superfluous representations of events in manipulating homogenising the political perspectives of a population

Question 118

We realise the immense ascendency of the media in

Answer 118

inciting paranoia so as to manipulate the thoughts and actions of its citizens.