Module C: BNW and V for Vendetta Flashcards
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.
the powerlessness that can result from the overconcentration of political authority into the hands of a minority.
‘Brave New World’
(1931
Brave New World was a response to the First World War, the Great Depression and
what seemed to many people at the time to be the threat of imminent social collapse.
The chaos of war followed by economic chaos scared people badly.
Democratic institutions appeared powerless to avoid catastrophe.
Through ‘Brave New World’s temporally displaced, dystopian society, Huxley projects
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.
statement for propaganda/manipulation
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.
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.
What does BNW (1931) explore?
the impact of oligarchy and manipulation on the individual and their relation to others.
Huxley represents his ‘perfect’ society in a way that
alienates the audience and we feel the emotions that are missing from this construction.
what do the citizens of the world state lack?
conscious volition, due to their conditioning
“Ending is better than mending”
rhyme
From birth, citizens are conscripted to consumption through hypnopaedia. The rhyme…
“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
“Nothing like oxygen
deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”
enthusiastic reference
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 the…
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
enthusiastic reference
“Nothing like oxygen
deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”
another effect of “Nothing like oxygen
deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”
-The state has scientifically predestined conception so for every minute of their lives, their thoughts and actions are controlled.
quote which shockingly emphasises the manipulation and complete autocracy of the World State
“Nothing like oxygen
deprivation for keeping an embryo below par.”
unwavering acceptance of the Director’s claims as fact at the Hatchery
“Straight from the horse’s mouth into the note book.”, describing the students’
idiom
“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
Huxley uses the hyperbolised ‘World State’ to portray this notion (his concerns for his society’s rights and freedoms), 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…
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…
“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
quote about conformity vs freewill
“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
“…their hands gloved with a pale corpse-coloured rubber”
imagery
Huxley effectively establishes a society which recognises its people as little more than cogs in a machine, easily replaced as highlighted through…
imagery
“…their hands gloved with a pale corpse-coloured rubber”
connoting the prevalence of death and manipulation in the World State.
lexicon
“There’s always soma to give you a holiday from the facts”
Effect of lexicon “There’s always soma to give you a holiday from the facts”
acts as a metaphor for how the total abuse of power has been sustained. Conveying the consequences of ignorance in happiness
Effect model citizen Lenina as she repeats the slogan “Was and will make me ill. Take a gram and I only am.”
revealing that such is the power of the world state that they have removed the capacity of free thought and volition from their citizens.
slogan
model citizen Lenina as she repeats the slogan “Was and will make me ill. Take a gram and I only am.”
revealing that such is the power of the world state that they have removed the capacity of free thought from their citizens. 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 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
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
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.”
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.”
analogy
Satirical nature of novel exposed
through omnipresent 3rd person narration in the debate between John the Savage and 1 of the 10 World Controllers, Mustapha Mond.
When people don’t know what they can’t have/don’t realise their oppression,
they can never escape it.
quote for governance & political motivations
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.”
what did Mond choose to pursue?
political power over scientific truth
What are Mond’s motivations?
power motivation to exterminate the past.
what shapes how people in politics are represented?
context, motives, perceptions, the truth, shape how people in politics are represented.
what does analysing these texts provide us with?
insight into the complexities of political representation
What does Mond’s characterisation of John
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.
What does John, the bewildered outsider represent
an antithesis to the political ideologies of the World State.
What generation was Huxley’s writing part of?
a post world war nihilist generation
What conflicting political perspectives does Huxley represent?
the worst aspects of communism (world state) and democracy (the Reservation).
What does Huxley use the novel to heavily challenge?
the ‘utopian’ societies frequently promoted following WWI by communist and fascist principles.
What does John the Savage represent?
the Reservations dominant values and morals is more closely aligned with the West’s capitalist influence ideology of individual freedom.
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!”
Compound sentences juxtaposed by truncated ones, contrasting tones
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.
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.
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!”
Mond states further “government’s an affair of sitting, not hitting. You rule with the brains and the buttocks, never with the fists”
Rhythmic allusion, alliteration
Reiterates Mond’s belief that people should be ruled through intellectual rather than physical oppression.
Mond states further “government’s an affair of sitting, not hitting. You rule with the brains and the buttocks, never with the fists”
Mond’s reference to Henry Ford’s famous comment “History is bunk”
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.
Huxley challenges his reader to consider the harrowing real possibilities that
could result if individuals were to trade individual thought and freedom for happiness, conformity and consumerism.
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.
Similarly to ‘Brave New World’ James McTeigue’s film ‘V for Vendetta’ conveys the volatile
nature of politics through his portrayal of a democracy’s rapid transformation into tyranny at the cost of its people.
Both composers imbue their texts with the contemporary issues of their society, correspondingly
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.
Through the subjective power of representation, both composers highlight the flaws of their societies,
each portraying the vulnerability of politics to abuse, and how this ultimately dictates the attitudes of a society.
From comparison of these truthful representations, we realise that the strength of a society
in fact depends on the diversity of its people, and its capacity to represent their voices.
In their respective texts, both Huxley and McTeigue proffer the stark
consequences of ignorance and political complacency in their societies. (totalitarianism)
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,
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.
McTeigue’s engagement with the audience’s emotions enables
him to successfully depict the harrowing consequences of conformity through political idleness.
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.
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.
This emphatically parallels the abuse of human rights by the audience’s own governments’ and the Norsefire political party.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Through Brave New World’s emphasis on manipulation of the unconscious mind,
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.
the English society’s drab grey colours, along with the beige clothing worn by its citizens
emulates the complete monopoly of power, as McTeigue establishes a setting bereft of nature or individual expression.
the of government officials, shrouded in darkness, as they attempt to rape Evey.
chiaroscuro lighting in the close up low angle shot
Through his portrayal of Evey, incapacitated and isolated in her own society, we realise
that constantly living in fear can severely impacts our ability to form meaningful relationships with others.
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.
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.
This enables us to recognise the complete power that is achieved through emotional manipulation.
The domino scene of carefully ordered dominos in a ‘V’
Symbolism, creating a montage
The domino scene of carefully ordered dominos in a ‘V’
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.
depicts a mid shot of an aged man, shrouded in almost complete darkness.
chiaroscuro lighting,
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
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…”.
“Truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you only need to look in the mirror.”
second person, symbolism
Effect: “Truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you only need to look in the mirror.”
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.
technique:“This so-called “V” and his accomplice, Evey Hammond, neo-demagogues, spouting their message of hate” in his reporting their ‘terrorism’.
Convoluted, unusual addresses
Effect “This so-called “V” and his accomplice, Evey Hammond, neo-demagogues, spouting their message of hate” in his reporting their ‘terrorism’.
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….
Prothero warps the truth in order to reaffirm Norsefire’s regime and
manipulate the citizen’s perspectives. We are provided with a stark reminder of the media’s power to influence our perspectives.
of the Chancellor
high angle shots throughout film emphasise his complete power.
Huxley subtly 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.
In their representations of political systems that completely remove the liberties of their people, both Huxley and McTeigue powerfully
convey the need for constant political advocacy and individual voice.
Upon comparison of both texts, we realise that in ‘Brave New World’, Huxley use of satire
in a completely removed society is designed to soften the confrontational nature of the novel.
The brutally explicit references to contemporary Western society in ‘V for Vendetta’, however, provides us with insight into
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.
Conclusion:By presenting completely monopolised societies, we are compelled to examine the important pillars of freedom that each composer has omitted
and to consider our own societal conditioning and how this damages our ability to participate in truly enlightened political discourse.
Conclusion: These texts highlight that blindly trusting political groups
to safeguard the freedoms of a society immediately disempowers its citizens.
Conclusion: Consequently we are reminded that whilst we have the
right to individual freedoms and autonomy, we ultimately hold the responsibility to advocate for them.
Through the heavy censorship of information in each text, we learn that governments
which have control over the communication and literature in their society can maintain even the harshest forms of dictatorship.
In Huxley and McTeigue’s representation of how people can influence and be influenced by politics,
we are forced to reconsider how our own actions, or lack there of, can enhance or limit our freedoms in society.
In analysing these texts (/Handmaids), we realise that totalitarianism and the subjugation
of people is easily sustained when individual speech is restricted.
Furthermore, the anger and shock that each composer elicits causes us to
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?
In comparing the stark futures prophesised by ‘Brave New World’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’/ V for Vendetta, we are provided
a chilling reminder that it is through our own ignorance in which our freedoms and rights are most threatened.
What society is BNW
an ultramodern oligarchy
Despite their differing portrayals of totalitarianism, upon comparison we realise that both texts
highlight the flaws of the Western world, exposing the consequences of political complacency.
What does V for Vendetta demonstrate
” what can happen when a society is ruled by government, rather than the government being run as a voice of the people.” (McTeigue)
Despite the hyperbolised, graphic nature of the film, what does McTeigue stress?
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.”
McTeigue’s specific compositional choice for ‘V’ to remain masked
elucidates the inherent connection between one’s personal and political agendas,
The extended metaphor of the Guy Fawkes mask
functions to reiterate the concept of ideological compelling his audience to engage in more enlightened contemplations.
Panning close up shots of London’s population’s faces which
are veiled under Guy Fawkes masks with jubilant music elucidates that one’s political and personal agenda’s are intrinsically linked.
Panning close up shots of London’s population’s faces which
are veiled under Guy Fawkes masks with jubilant music explicates that one’s political and personal agenda’s are intrinsically linked.
We realise that through V’s subversive agenda,
McTeigue promotes his own motive of political justice
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
“But as I make the laws here, I can also break them.”
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
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.”
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.
Effect: Contact with members of the lower castes always reminded him painfully of this physical inadequacy.
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.
Contact with members of the lower castes always reminded him painfully of this physical inadequacy.
direct, explicit description
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 (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.”)
into the division that oppressive rule can create in a society….
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.”
“You can’t send me. I haven’t done anything… I swear it was the others.”
Short sentences create an indignant desperate tone
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
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.”)
“But I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger… freedom… sin”
anaphora
“But I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger… freedom… sin”
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)
V embodies
the ideals of freedom, through his martyr like portrayal by McTeigue
The warped reporting of fact by BTN emphasises
the constant propaganda that the citizens are fed.
McTeigue’s use of familiar television settings critiques the use of the media’s propaganda
and superfluous representations of events in manipulating homogenising the political perspectives of a population
We realise the immense ascendency of the media in
inciting paranoia so as to manipulate the thoughts and actions of its citizens.
