For the AP Literature and Composition Class of 2008-2009.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Bakunin Vs. Rand
See "For Reasons of State" by M. Bakunin and "Anthem" by A. Rand. Draw contrasts, relating both to Orwell's work.
Extra Credit if you can connect Weber, Lippmann, and Burnham to Bakunin, Rand, and Orwell.
8 comments:
Anonymous
said...
In "Anthem" by A. Rand the narrator begins the novel by stating that his writing is a sin. Like Smith, he is acknowledging that writing is against the rules. In the beginning of the novel Smith finds a diary and begins writing in it. He knows it is against the rules and that it will inevitably cost him his life but he does it anyways. In both novels the characters live in a State that is ruled with an iron fist. Like Smith the narrator in "Anthem" is also a revolutionist in a slave state. He is a freethinker in a society that demands blindly loyal obedience. This is exactly like Smith as he too is a freethinker in a society filled with brainwashed human drones. In other words,Equality 7-2521 is the Winston Smith of "Anthem".
Rand's novel is very similar to Orwell's 1984. Government is highly centralized and powerful; and freedom is far from reality. Like the characters in Orwell's novel, these characters are forbidden to desire, think, and attempt to live their lives as they please. They are restricted to abide by the daily lifestyle that the government has created for them. Like Winston Smith, Equality 7-2521's thoughts begin to wander outside of the government's limitations. He conducts several unapproved scientific experiments and eventually decides on challenging the government by completely breaking free from it's barriers. In "For Reasons of State", Bakunin puts the entire blame of war and chaos on states, hence the name. He believes that the creation of states has caused society to compete in an unnatural way with the intentions to overpower and destroy others. This theory is the framework for Orwell's display of corruption between the three super states. It is the separation between them that causes constant battles and "Hate Week".
In "For Reasons of State" by M. Bakunin, it states that the state is an organized authority seeking domination, power, and possesion over humanity. It ends solitude and only brings some people together to destroy, conquer and enslave the rest. This idea greatly parallels to that of the party in the book "1984". The Party's only purpose is to conquer all of the people within the society and enslave them so that the party may have power and domination over everyone. They mentally destroy the minds of the people and manipulate them to be who the party desires them to be, and that is mental slaves and prisoners. In Rand's novel, "Anthem" one of the major themes is individualism. Throughout "1984", Winston is being his own self and being different from the rest of society. He is an individual who stands in what he believes in and stands as a rebel against the party and what they believe. I must say that I agree with Joel when he states that Winston's writing is a sin. Its what sets him apart from the rest. It is what causes him to be unique individual. His diary sets him apart and helps him become an individual with a powerful and threatening voice towards the party.
One of the main similarites that both novels have is the way the world is being controlled by a higher power.In "Anthem" the words like I has disappeared from the language and with this brainwashing the people who are learning the language. Just like in Orwells novel "1984" the people in Oceana live in a Totalitarialist government and with that no means of expressing their thoughts. "For reason of state" is about a man living in a dictatorship. Just like in 1984 Winston Smith is forced to face a greater power known as Big Brother. The similaries of both novels to 1984 is a state of a world that the people live in. The symbol of living where WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY AND IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. A world that is better to not know the truth.
In "Anthem" by A. Rand, Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, lives in a world maintained by a powerful, centralized government. Freedom is desirable, but impossible to achieve. The protagonist in "Anthem" writes and considers it a sin, similar to how Winston perceives it. He is the "special one" who thinks rebellious thoughts unlike the other mindless drones. "Anthem" relates to 1984 (underlined) in that both have characters that has rebellious thoughts against the state. Furthermore, in both of the works, the government controls the lives of others and limits the potential thoughts of others. The concept of corruption and injustice is truly at hand. As "For Reasons of State" by M. Bakunin, the state overpowers others and manipulates them. The chaotic nature of the State relates to the nature of "The Party." The intention of overpowering others and destroying their minds exists within them both.
“For Reason of State” by Bakunin, characterizes a state as the “organized authority” whose main objective is “destroying, conquering, and enslaving all the rest.” Bakunin’s definition seems to be the definition for the totalitarian state in 1984, in which the Winston and the others are physically, emotionally, and mentally destroyed, conquered, and enslaved. In Anthem, the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, lives in a society similar to Winston’s [6079 Smith W]. Both societies have lost the understanding of individualism and people’s actions are manipulated by the ruling group. Both men are condemned as traitors to their rulers for thinking as an individual. These are only a few of the similarities between the novels of Orwell and Rand. The type of government in Anthem is collectivism, this means the people share the means of production and distribution; whereas, Bakunin describes a totalitarian state.
In “Anthem,” by A. Rand starts out with Equality 7-2521 saying that it is a sin for him to be writing what he is writing. He also states that he does not know what is going to happen to him if he is caught doing this. This is similar to 1984, because Winston Smith is illegally writing too. Winston Smith purchased a diary, which is a sin too, because in his society no one is allowed to think, which a diary does. Winston Smith decides to still write in the diary, even though he knows that if he is caught he will pay with his life. “For Reasons for State,” by M. Bakunin, talks about a state being something that is created to destroy. This is seen in 1984, because The Party is controlling everything. People in Oceania are supposed to do what the Party says. The Party is destroying everyone, by not allowing anyone to do anything besides what the Party wants.
Bakunin based his theory on three platforms, which are: human beings are naturally social, are more or less equal, and want to be free. However, he argues that creating a society of freedom is not possible because he believes that the problem with existing societies is that they are controlled or dominated by states that are violent, anti-social, and artificial constructs, which deny the fulfillment of humanity. The state is an anti-social machine, which controls society for the benefit of an elite. The state also relies on a permanent bureaucracy to help carry out its aims. He also notes that states tend to fight against each other in terms of military conflict. Bakunin’s theory connects to 1984 because the state and the Inner Party control its people physically and mentally, which prevent them from obtaining their freedom because they do not have the capacity to revolt against the Party. Also, as long as Oceania continues to be in a war with other states, the people will continue to be brainwashed because they are taught to become obedient citizens by helping Big Brother fight against the enemies. "Anthem" by A. Rand depicts a collectivist society in which individuality is shunned because the word “We” is used to show that everyone existed by and for the state. This connects to 1984 because the citizens of Oceania live to serve the state and Big Brother despite their oppression because their minds are manipulated. Therefore, they work to maintain the state’s power by obeying its rules and keeping its structure in check. The main character, Equality 7-2521, is like Winston because his curiosity makes him become different from the others. Therefore, he is considered to be evil because he does not think inside the common circle. Like Winston, he also rebels against the state by inventing electric light because he, a single person, invents his discovery. This shows how the state forbade its people from having the ability to have individual freedom or accomplishment because it would then spark a revolution.
8 comments:
In "Anthem" by A. Rand the narrator begins the novel by stating that his writing is a sin. Like Smith, he is acknowledging that writing is against the rules. In the beginning of the novel Smith finds a diary and begins writing in it. He knows it is against the rules and that it will inevitably cost him his life but he does it anyways. In both novels the characters live in a State that is ruled with an iron fist. Like Smith the narrator in "Anthem" is also a revolutionist in a slave state. He is a freethinker in a society that demands blindly loyal obedience. This is exactly like Smith as he too is a freethinker in a society filled with brainwashed human drones. In other words,Equality 7-2521 is the Winston Smith of "Anthem".
Rand's novel is very similar to Orwell's 1984. Government is highly centralized and powerful; and freedom is far from reality. Like the characters in Orwell's novel, these characters are forbidden to desire, think, and attempt to live their lives as they please. They are restricted to abide by the daily lifestyle that the government has created for them. Like Winston Smith, Equality 7-2521's thoughts begin to wander outside of the government's limitations. He conducts several unapproved scientific experiments and eventually decides on challenging the government by completely breaking free from it's barriers.
In "For Reasons of State", Bakunin puts the entire blame of war and chaos on states, hence the name. He believes that the creation of states has caused society to compete in an unnatural way with the intentions to overpower and destroy others. This theory is the framework for Orwell's display of corruption between the three super states. It is the separation between them that causes constant battles and "Hate Week".
In "For Reasons of State" by M. Bakunin, it states that the state is an organized authority seeking domination, power, and possesion over humanity. It ends solitude and only brings some people together to destroy, conquer and enslave the rest. This idea greatly parallels to that of the party in the book "1984". The Party's only purpose is to conquer all of the people within the society and enslave them so that the party may have power and domination over everyone. They mentally destroy the minds of the people and manipulate them to be who the party desires them to be, and that is mental slaves and prisoners.
In Rand's novel, "Anthem" one of the major themes is individualism. Throughout "1984", Winston is being his own self and being different from the rest of society. He is an individual who stands in what he believes in and stands as a rebel against the party and what they believe. I must say that I agree with Joel when he states that Winston's writing is a sin. Its what sets him apart from the rest. It is what causes him to be unique individual. His diary sets him apart and helps him become an individual with a powerful and threatening voice towards the party.
One of the main similarites that both novels have is the way the world is being controlled by a higher power.In "Anthem" the words like I has disappeared from the language and with this brainwashing the people who are learning the language. Just like in Orwells novel "1984" the people in Oceana live in a Totalitarialist government and with that no means of expressing their thoughts. "For reason of state" is about a man living in a dictatorship. Just like in 1984 Winston Smith is forced to face a greater power known as Big Brother. The similaries of both novels to 1984 is a state of a world that the people live in. The symbol of living where WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY AND IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. A world that is better to not know the truth.
In "Anthem" by A. Rand, Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, lives in a world maintained by a powerful, centralized government. Freedom is desirable, but impossible to achieve. The protagonist in "Anthem" writes and considers it a sin, similar to how Winston perceives it. He is the "special one" who thinks rebellious thoughts unlike the other mindless drones. "Anthem" relates to 1984 (underlined) in that both have characters that has rebellious thoughts against the state. Furthermore, in both of the works, the government controls the lives of others and limits the potential thoughts of others. The concept of corruption and injustice is truly at hand. As "For Reasons of State" by M. Bakunin, the state overpowers others and manipulates them. The chaotic nature of the State relates to the nature of "The Party." The intention of overpowering others and destroying their minds exists within them both.
“For Reason of State” by Bakunin, characterizes a state as the “organized authority” whose main objective is “destroying, conquering, and enslaving all the rest.” Bakunin’s definition seems to be the definition for the totalitarian state in 1984, in which the Winston and the others are physically, emotionally, and mentally destroyed, conquered, and enslaved. In Anthem, the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, lives in a society similar to Winston’s [6079 Smith W]. Both societies have lost the understanding of individualism and people’s actions are manipulated by the ruling group. Both men are condemned as traitors to their rulers for thinking as an individual. These are only a few of the similarities between the novels of Orwell and Rand. The type of government in Anthem is collectivism, this means the people share the means of production and distribution; whereas, Bakunin describes a totalitarian state.
In “Anthem,” by A. Rand starts out with Equality 7-2521 saying that it is a sin for him to be writing what he is writing. He also states that he does not know what is going to happen to him if he is caught doing this. This is similar to 1984, because Winston Smith is illegally writing too. Winston Smith purchased a diary, which is a sin too, because in his society no one is allowed to think, which a diary does. Winston Smith decides to still write in the diary, even though he knows that if he is caught he will pay with his life.
“For Reasons for State,” by M. Bakunin, talks about a state being something that is created to destroy. This is seen in 1984, because The Party is controlling everything. People in Oceania are supposed to do what the Party says. The Party is destroying everyone, by not allowing anyone to do anything besides what the Party wants.
Bakunin based his theory on three platforms, which are: human beings are naturally social, are more or less equal, and want to be free. However, he argues that creating a society of freedom is not possible because he believes that the problem with existing societies is that they are controlled or dominated by states that are violent, anti-social, and artificial constructs, which deny the fulfillment of humanity. The state is an anti-social machine, which controls society for the benefit of an elite. The state also relies on a permanent bureaucracy to help carry out its aims. He also notes that states tend to fight against each other in terms of military conflict. Bakunin’s theory connects to 1984 because the state and the Inner Party control its people physically and mentally, which prevent them from obtaining their freedom because they do not have the capacity to revolt against the Party. Also, as long as Oceania continues to be in a war with other states, the people will continue to be brainwashed because they are taught to become obedient citizens by helping Big Brother fight against the enemies. "Anthem" by A. Rand depicts a collectivist society in which individuality is shunned because the word “We” is used to show that everyone existed by and for the state. This connects to 1984 because the citizens of Oceania live to serve the state and Big Brother despite their oppression because their minds are manipulated. Therefore, they work to maintain the state’s power by obeying its rules and keeping its structure in check. The main character, Equality 7-2521, is like Winston because his curiosity makes him become different from the others. Therefore, he is considered to be evil because he does not think inside the common circle. Like Winston, he also rebels against the state by inventing electric light because he, a single person, invents his discovery. This shows how the state forbade its people from having the ability to have individual freedom or accomplishment because it would then spark a revolution.
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