The Ultimate Government Mind Control Method

In the three books that we have explored in this class, there seems to be a common theme of the authorities implementing some form of mind control to subdue the citizens and possibly distract them from some of the misgivings in their society. In BNW, the World State uses soma, a drug that nulls the senses and feelings of BNW citizens especially whenever someone might be feeling apprehensive about their situation. In the Handmaid’s Tale we have the power of religious authority which, out of the three novels, is likely the most extreme and scary for the citizens of the republic of Gilead. Finally, we have the telescreens of 1984 which don’t have the immediate effect of the other control methods, but continuously watch the citizens of Oceania and bombard them with government propaganda.

Personally, I think that the World State’s use of soma is best suited to control the people in BNW. The religious authority in the Republic of Gilead, while somewhat effective, is quite brutal and the texts on which they are based are very open to interpretation allowing for greater dissent between the government and its citizens. While it may be possible to subjugate a small crowd to religious authority, it’s quite difficult to subject an entire nation to that form of rule. In the Handmaid’s Tale, there is a very real resistance to the present government, and we can see that it eventually managed to topple the Republic of Gilead.

The telescreens in 1984, while seemingly harmless, allow for Big Brother to spy on all the civilians in Oceania and remove anyone who acts out or breaks the law. In addition, we can see that the lives of people are practically controlled by the telescreens. They are told when to go to work and when to sleep by the telescreens. There also appears to be a constant stream of government propaganda coming from the telescreens which likely helps embed government ideals into the subconscious. Finally, the children in 1984 are Big Brother’s children and are almost property of the government which certifies that future generations will be subservient to Big Brother. However, unlike soma, the telescreens can’t quell rebellious thoughts and they can’t totally monitor an individual. They only become effective when someone acts out, but they aren’t so effective when individuals are having rebellious thoughts and feelings. Like religious authority, they don’t attack the root of rebellion or insubordination.

Unlike the religious authority and telescreens, the citizens of BNW have a generally positive relationship with the mind control drug that is soma. Soma attacks the root of insubordination and rebellion by nulling those who take it to the senses that may give them these feelings. As seen in BNW, throughout the book, the World State remains in power and most seem to be in support of the World State. Those who don’t comply with the way of living are simply removed from society. Soma is the ultimate mind control method because it attacks the feelings of uneasiness at their root, and the citizens of BNW have a positive relationship with soma, unlike the people in the other two novels.   

What do you think?

Choose Your Class...

Freedom, the word, is thrown around in everyday language. You have the freedom to do this, to say that, to be your own individual person. The past few books we have read these freedoms that define us as people have been stripped away. Some worse than others but gone nonetheless. In 1984 there are two major life styles on can live as. You could be in the outer party also known as the "Proles" or you could be in the "Inner Party". Of  course, there are disadvantages and advantages for joining each class.

While you might be naturally drawn to the inner party, the upper-class, especially if it's wealth that you seek. Yes, if you're in the Inner Party, you will have more power and control of the direction that your life goes. Money isn't an issue for you, you have plenty of it and can spend it anyway you like...to an extent. Better yet, the jobs you work are physically easy and one's that aren't life threatening, unless you make a mistake. There are some small downsides of being in the Inner Party though. For example you don't have the right to think you're own thoughts, everything you do must be for "Big Brother" or the Party. You can't show emotion in your face, it must remain like this: (-_-). You will obey any orders given to you, you can't be too smart, too dumb, foolish. You're watched 24/7 and any move you make will be noted. You can marry one person, once and you can't ever divorce them. Yes, this all seems a little bad but at least the consequences for breaking these rules aren't too bad. Wait, yeah they are. If you are to break any of these rules a majority of the time you will be vaporized, so that's something.

Now if we take a step back and examine the life of the Outer Party. The Proles live a tough life. They're poor and have a hard time affording anything, they struggle to find food or even places to live. They live in crowded arrangements. 85 percent of the population in the Party are the Proles, so you can imagine the situation.The Proles do work very hard and barely get paid, they do the heavy labor work for the party. As a Prole however, you aren't constantly being watched. You are free to have relationships with whomever you want. You can voice your opinions, break the rules (carefully), and you are free to be your own person.

With this brief summary of the two classes it's time to make your choice. Which would you rather be and why?