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?
You bring up really good points. This post points to the idea that humans essentially are motivated by two things: reward or punishment. In Brave New World, the reward is much more prominent than the punishment. People enjoy using soma and being able to do whatever they would like. Of course, if they do not comply with the society, they are exiled to the Reservations, so that can be considered the punishment factor. In the others book we've read,as you have pointed out, punishment plays a much larger role in why people comply with the system. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI agree, out of the three control methods we have been exposed to, Soma is by-far the most effective at fulfilling its intended purpose. The psychological realm has always been thought to be the most delicate area of a person. It is here that any persuasion will have its largest impact. This is why propaganda and censorship are widespread in times of difficulty; so that the authority can justify controversial actions without the typical lash-back associated with the emergence of a highly independent and diverse society. Religious authority and Telescreens may accomplish this, but Soma is especially effective as it directly affects the user's thoughts and results in a complete overhaul of their emotional state, causing them to be more susceptible to persuasion. Ultimately, Soma becomes an irreplaceable aspect of its user's life, accomplishing its directive and integrating another person into the ideals of the higher authority.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, I would agree that soma is the most effective because it affects the individuals on a biological level. It might seem like a false sense of happiness from an outside perspective, but to the individual using soma it probably feels very real. With the case of telescreens and the religion, one can choose not to comply with it even when constantly exposed to it. But when one is using soma, you can't just override it's effects, you are going to be happy. So I think that soma is the most potent method of keeping control.
ReplyDeleteSoma absolutely does seem like the most stable option of the various methods of thought control used. The other methods are (as we have seen) very prone to people deciding that actually their existence kinda sucks and they'd be better off under a different system, while people enjoy taking soma. Soma is also deployed as only a part of the World State's efforts, while everyone else seems to focus only on fear as a method of control. The World State uses extensive chemical conditioning prior to birth as well as constant subliminal messaging to ensure that its citizens are happy and therefore unwilling to change the system.
ReplyDelete-Sasha
What's interesting about soma is that generally people are happy to take it. Besides the fact that it feels great and has no negative side effects (direct ones, anyway), I think it's so successful because people actively want to use it. Even if the government didn't enforce taking soma, there would probably be a lot of people using it on their own. So, in a way, they're partially responsible for brainwashing themselves. And the fact that they're so glad to do it is why it works.
ReplyDeleteI think the best form of control excercised by any government that we have read about so far is what the New State uses in BNW. They deliberately produced a portion of their population to be too stupid to cause a problem. Another portion of their population is smarter but not smart enogh to think outside their world. And finally, they have the top portion, the Alphas, who have the capability of free thought and full intelligence. However, this is where soma shines. Soma is so effective that most of them never realize what they are capapble of realizing. It can even be said that their system is so effective that no matter what, nothing will ever change (a la the boring ending).
ReplyDeleteSoma is definitely the most effective method of government control. Unlike the other methods, where people are basically forced into obedience and constantly threatened by the government, in BNW, people are actually glad & more than willing to take Soma. It makes them happy and helps them forget about their problems and sadness.
ReplyDeleteI agree that soma is the most effective mind control method out of the three. Soma induces a sense of happiness in users, preventing any thoughts of discontent towards the government from emerging. Soma directly alters the users' thoughts and emotions, which makes it practically impossible to have any rebellious thoughts. As you said, even if someone decided to stop taking soma for some reason, the government would send them to the island where they wouldn't be able to spread any of their unorthodox ideas.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that soma is the best way to control a population because of the effects soma has on human emotions and thoughts. A happy and content population holds no grievances and will actively reinforce and perpetuate behaviors that support the existing system in power. I find it ironic that in the Handmaiden's tale and 1984 the governments are violently trying to control their population in ways that lead to resistance movements while BNW was single-handedly able to create controlled society without the emphasis on the pursuit of power of the sake of power itself. Also if every aspect of life is fully controlled by the government in BNW, why is it that in class we all chose to live in BNW over Gilead and Oceania?
ReplyDeleteSoma is the most effective, but it might also be the most unrealistic. I can see why Orwell wanted to come up with a different form of enforcement. Telescreens aren't perfect, but they seem more feasible and thus scarier.
ReplyDeleteWhile Brave new world's system of control is definitely the most effective, I would say that their mental conditioning of babies and children through shock therapy and repeating phrases to them in their sleep are more representative of the mind-control method used by the government to keep people in line. Soma is a part of this scheme, but I think that the more important aspects of the new world state's method relate to conditioning people to think a certain way when they are still children.
ReplyDeleteSoma is quite an effective way for the government to control its civilians, although I wouldn't call that mind control, as they are not actively controlling what people think and do. Its more just a way for the government to maintain social order by preventing bad thoughts and memories. It helps people go through bad times happily, preventing any build up of mistrust towards the government. I would say that the mind control part of BNW comes from the early childhood, where they are read things in their sleep. Soma vs Telescreens also shows how governments (BNW vs 1984) used reward vs punishment as there way of controlling people.
ReplyDeleteIt is an intriguing idea that you present in this article you have posted. I would be of the type to argue that the telescreens are actually a very realistic choice by George Orwell. They seem plausible in our modern society. Keep up the fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help but be fascinated with the ideas that you expounded upon in your blog post. I feel that soma is the best, since it is distributed amongst the populace pretty much with their tacit agreement. People fear the telescreens, but nobody really fears soma. And since it is so normalized, soma helps people regulate themselves to some extent (as in, they can self-administer if they're feeling bad).
ReplyDeleteBrave New World and 1984 clearly have the best methods of control. We find out in the last chapter of the part that Gilead eventually falls. O'Brien also makes a very clear point to prove to Winston that there will never be an uprising within or out of the party. Overall I think you're right to say Brave New World had the most control over it's people.
ReplyDelete- Anna
I personally think that while the method of control of the Party in 1984 may not be the most efficient, it is definitely the scariest and one that can ensure a lesser number of rebels. Why it is not efficient? For all rebels, the Party will individual stamp out the traitorous thoughts before eliminating their existence, or reintegrating them into society as a simple cog in their Party machine.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, to me soma feels like an antidepressant mixed in with the effects of alcohol, but with none of the down sides. I think if I were to live in any world (of the books we've read thus far), I'd love to live in BNW. Even the abbreviated name sounds swanky, kinda like BMW. I wouldn't get oppressed for having that different of ideas and for some part there is still a little individuality within BNW. I could always get sent off to an island if I were too radical.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, this blog post actually got my mind rolling. The methods in the books about control really are similar but at the same time different. While they might not be the most efficient methods they some how work. Great JOB!
ReplyDeleteI think soma is probably the most effective method for control, however I agree that the ways that BNW controls its are pretty unrealistic and I think that 1984's method is probably the most terrifying of the methods. And unfortunately it also does seem to be the most reminiscent of our own government's attempts at surveillance.
ReplyDelete