Similarities in Government

The governments of 1984 and modern day are luckily quite different. However, a few similarities have crossed paths as I have been reading the book. One common characteristic is the two minutes of hate. In both societies everyday there are times when people are expected to hate. In modern day people watching the news see criminals and terrorissts and it is acceptable to want to commit an act of violence against those people. Just like the party in 1984 are suppose to release all of their hate toward one rebel.
Another similarity is the way war effects society. In 1984 the government uses it to make sure that noone leads a luxurious life because all commodities go toward the war. In the United States a war generally stimulates our economy and unites us behind one cause. While a war is going on that everyone is behind, like WWII and the wars in 1984, everyone supports the government and does not complain about the level of life. By keeping a war the government is able to keep the lower classes from rebelling.

Comparison between Brave New World and United States

Throughout Brave New World there were a few similarities between our world today and that of the distopic society depicted in the book. The first similarity that stood out was that in both societies those who were different were persecuted. Noone allowed Bernard or John to be a part of the groups but singled them out. Similarly the United States tends to leave out the mental ill, the homeless, and those who believe differently. Another similarity is the way the press act. In both societies the press will do anything to get a good story even if it hurts an innocent man. The third similarity is that technology has a big part of their entertainment and daily lives. Although Brave New World is ahead of the United States they enjoy feelies and musical smells while our society uses computers and Ipods.

Brave New World 2

Compare and contrast social condition of Lenina through hypnoeapedia and John through Shakespeare, and why they are not able to understand each other.

Both Lenina and John receive their morals through something they do not understand. Both of them quote the method, but they do not understand why their way is right and how the idea is morally correct. Neither of them have needed to explain their ethics because everyone in their communities believe the same. However, faced with the challenge of explaining they are unable to do so which creates many conflicts.

Lenina and John are unable to understand each other because neither can change shoes. Both characters can concieve that another way might be right. They are caught between loving eachother and hating eachother because they do not always understand what the other does. John cannot handle having Lenina before they are married, but Lenina does believe in marriage so believes that John does not love her when he refuses to have her.

Brave New World

In both the Brave New World and in Utopia the government has been able to take control of the civilians and take away everyone's sense of self. Both worlds are dominated by the social structure and that there is no me, but just the community as a whole. Also in both worlds the people do not spend a lot of time working, but they are not free to do whatever they want. In Utopia people were expected to read and learn and in Brave New World people are suppose to interact.

There are a few things that are good about the Brave New World society. All diseases have been extinguished so everyone is healthy and can work everyday. Also everyone has a place, where they are able to contribute to the community. The mentally ill (epsilons) have work as well as the high ranking individuals (Alphas). No one is made without purpose.

The most disturbing thing I found about the society is the amount of control the drug soma contains. People take it whenever they start feeling anything. It takes away the emotions and thought of the population. Soma is what the government uses to keep the people from wanting more from their lives, and it empowers the government to stay in control.

Book II: 41-61

In the last section of Thomas More's Utopia the description of the slaves, warfare, and religion was written.
Their slaves were only criminals or those from other countries that had to sell themselves into slavery for money. If a society was to have slaves this would be the only way. Their is no discrimination and no one is born into the life. Slavery is the ultimate punishment for the worst of criminals. They also give the slave from other countries better jobs and often treat them as countrymen.
Utopians believe that assisting someone in suicide is acceptable if their is no hope in recovering and the persons wishes it. This is an honorable way to die and it keeps anyone from being burdened by helping them all the time. I think that this is an acceptable practice their is no need for someone to suffer if their is no hope in a normal life.
Utopians believe that warfare should only be used if all other sources have been exhausted. They are always prepared but hate to waste their time in war. When a winning battle is over they take prisoners but do not slaughter the survivors or put fire to the towns. And when a treaty is made the honor it for a lifetime. Putting these factors together will ensure that peace is maintained and war is rarely used.
Utopians are able to take part in whatever religion they wish. However, the majority of people believe in a supreme deity they do not all agree on which one. This freedom is parallel to the freedom in the USA and takes out much of the fighting that might have broken out for religious laws.

Book II: pgs. 21-41

Throughout this second section More described his Utopia. All of the housing in Utopia is identical. Everone has same size garden, same paint, and same number of rooms to make sure everything is fair. Everyone owns everything to make everyone equal. These idea make me think that Utopia will not last long because there are always those that are greedy or lazy and sooner or later Utopia will look similar to those countries that have tried communism before.

One of the interesting things I found of the Utopians was how they viewed gold and silver as childrens toys. Since it has no practical purpose it is worthless and as long as a culture thinks gold is worthless it will be worthless. One of the themes that is put forward in the Utopian culture is that if one lives a frugal life everything seems to be abundant.

Although their government seems democratic their travel is strict. If one were to travel without permission throughout Utopia the punishment is a life as a slave. Traveling is one of the ways that knowledge is bred and people find new ideas from the different cultures visited. The travel restrictions seems to also restrict learning and hinders Utopia more than it helps.

Thomas More's Utopia: Book 1

The first book of Utopia generated the ideas that would come forward in More's perfect world. More stressed the idea that capital punishishment should not be used, because human law should never conquer divine law. More believed that the punishment should be to give back the stolen item and live a life of hard work which both helps society and the individual who is no longer killed. The second view is that a king is better off governing rich people than being rich himself. Than all of the people are content and trustful in their modest king. The third concept was that a king cannot properly govern two countries. He will either ignore one and turn the country to turmoil while on prospers, or the king will only half serve both countries. Fourth and last More states that until land is not owned there will always be evil. I do not agree to this because there will always be a source of evil as long as humans are involved. If people are not fighting over land they will fight over food or water.