Dystopian Worlds: 1984 and Metropolis

This assignment examines two influential dystopian works: George Orwell's '1984' and Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis'. It explores the ways both texts comment on societal concerns arising from technological advancements and the potential for human ethics to decline in pursuit of power. The analysis focuses on contrasting viewpoints presented by Orwell and Lang regarding political structures and their impact on humanity. Specific themes like the conflict between 'the brain and the hands,' the manipulation of freedom, and the dangers of ignorance are also investigated.

Comparative Essay

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
The composers contextual concerns with the manifestation of power and its impact upon the..3
individual and society..................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
The book by George Orwell is '1984' and the film is by Fritz Lang called METROPOLIS.
This both texts are intertextually connected and shared perspectively. It can be clearly proof
through their theme, characterisation, and ideas which is represented in film and novel.
Therefore, George overall quotation has supported the empowerment of women and societies.
Composers contextual concerns with the manifestation of power and its impact upon the
individual and society.
Fritz Lang post WW1 German expressionist film metropolis (1972) , in this Film Lang
investigate the societal revolution through a equalization of societal classes which is derived
from the prevalence of Christianity and from the instability of the Weimar Republic. On the
other hand, George Orwell,s Post WW2 statical novel critical review ideology authorities, 1948,
advocates mass physical rebellion validating how changes in context can bring paradigm shifts
of issues central to humanity interestingly, Orwell's technology booming context makes the
dictatorial use of technology an integral concern compared with Lang's work which focuses on
the way the mistreatment of technology unconsciously acts as social weapon intention to make
sure conformity. In metropolis technology act as medium of social conformity while in doing so
Langs warns against a production minded society which is made of drones rather than free
thinking.“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face”
In both 1984 novel and film metropolis texts are written in context of political turmoil and
instability. In both context is reflected by ideas and values. Moreover, In Metropolis Weimar
republic in Germany concern economic instability, class division, industrialisation and
technology, eduction for masses. On the other hand in 1984 novel UK in context of Europe
Orwell's personal experiences of Spanish Civil war, Global power, rise of fascism and rewriting
of history. “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's
mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”

From the movie one of the scene analysed that there is some juxtaposition between the
images. There are big cities above the ground and then it show dark factory underground which
referred to depths. In the given scene where Maria is hooked up to machines in Rotwang's lab, it
reflect the image of her evil robotic. While in one of the other scene in which Maria takes the
children to freder's house. It put two opposite images side by side which show that one thing
comes at the expense of the other.
In different shots it shows that action are similar to the machine, while these shot was
chosen by Lang to illustrates the way machines are in control of the men, rather of the men
controlling he machines controlling the men. As compare to this Goeroge Orwell quotes “But if
thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” in which it want express that
whatever we think it affect a way we speak and language use. Along with this it also affect eh
thought of people who are surrounding us and can influence people to think a certain way.

From the above scene it is analysed Maria stand with candles out in front of the crown
and preaches about positive human values, further she also tells the story of the 'tower of Babel.
Maria who is on of the character of Langs “Mediators”. It tell the audiences conflict between
“The brain and the hands”. We see her as the peaceful leader of the worker struggle but as many
religious figure the symbol of Maria (her body ) was transformed by those in power into
something evil. It analysed that Maria want to preach the message of peace to people.
As compare to context of metropolis 1984 Quotes “War is peace freedom is slavery
ignorance is strength” it is analyse in partly that “war is peace” because having a common
enemy keeps the people of Oceania united. “Freedom is slavery” because , according to the party
the man who is independent is doomed to fail. In this line man is subjected to the collective will
is free from danger and want. “ Ignorance is strength” because the inability of the people to
acknowledge this opposition cement the power of the authoritarians government
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that in 1984, Metropolis are Brilliant texts
that restore society's conceptualization of possible dystopian futures. Both contexts comment on
societal concerns which take place due to advancement in technology and for warning future
generation that the decline in human ethics may take place at the price of humanity's lust for
power. Further, it can be concluded that both Orwell and Lang show different views on political
issues in the interest of humanity this both is conveyed by the text. On summing up it can be

identified that Lang don't want free country and want that people work according to political
power while Orwell want to make country free from political power.

REFERENCES
Graham, S., 2016. Vertical noir: Histories of the future in urban science fiction. City. 20(3).
pp.389-406.
Georgiadou, Z., 2017. Cinema and architectural design education. artciencia. com, (20-21).
Clemente-Fernández, M. D., 2017. Pesadillas distópicas en el cine de ciencia-ficción|| Dystopian
Nightmares in the Science-Fiction Film Genre. Razón y Palabra. 20(3_94). pp.826-842.
Decker, M. T., 2016. Industrial Society and the Science Fiction Blockbuster: Social Critique in
Films of Lucas, Scott and Cameron. McFarland.
A Comparison Between George Orwell's '1984' and Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis'. 2017. [Online.]
Available through: <https://letterpile.com/books/A-comparison-between-George-
Orwells-1984-and-Fritz-Langs-Metropolis>. [Accessed on 20th March 2017].