The Repressive Governments Of Zamiatins We And Orwells 1984 :: essays research papers fc

The Repressive Governments of Zamiatins We and Orwells 1984Outline Thesis Both Zamiatins We and Orwells 1984 have governments that withhold actions and thoughts through the use of physical and psychological force.I. Intro.II. Wes Governments Use of psychological ForceA. Number systemB. Sexual RegistrationIII. 1984s Governments Use of Psychological ForceA. NewspeakB. DoublethinkIV. Both Governments Use of Physical ForceA. Torture of WinstonB. Operation On FancyV. Conclusion     Throughout time, people have wondered what happens when governmentgains complete manoeuver not only over peoples actions, but over the thoughtsthat precede them. Is it up to now possible to gain such omnipotence over gentlemannature that human beings will renounce all individuality? If such a societycould exist, would human nature truly be conquered, or just subdued sufficientlythat the will of the few could be contorted into the will of the generalpopulation? The British author Eric Bla ir, better known by his pen name GeorgeOrwell, and the Russian born Eugene Zamiatin both attempt to address thesequestions in their respective books 1984 and We.     These novels depict, ". . . mechanized societies whose citizens aredeprived of freedom through physical and psychological conditioning." (Bloom 17)The amazing thing about these civilizations is that the majority of thecitizenry, at least publicly, applauds the governments totalitarian actions.Both Zamiatins We and Orwells 1984 have governments that repress thought andaction through the use of physical and physiological force.     One of the most visible ways the government of the United State is ableto control the thought and actions of its citizens is by the use and abuse of asystem by which each member of society receives a number at birth preferably ofgiven a name (Goldstein 54). The numbers are assigned according to sex andoccupation. For example, D-503, the main cha racter in We, is male, and is thusassigned a sympathetic for his prefix while his female partner, O-90, is assigneda vowel. As D-503 is an engineer, he receives a 5 as his first number. Allstate poets such as O-90 have numbers under 100. (Zamiatin 46). This use ofnumbers instead of names creates a sense of unity and oneness of purpose in thecontented, complacent number of the United State. "The most striking thingabout the Numbers "names", is how easily they incorporate their assignment intotheir lives, and their contempt for the "old way" of naming." (Gregg 549)     The Numbers numbers are fasten onto their tunics called "unifs", frontand back in large enough print that anyone, ". . .up to one hundred meters awaycan read your Number from any direction.