Dystopian
Literature
Comparative essay- Tropes
- Surveillance
- Lack of freedom (of speech)
- Universal loss of freedoms
- Weaponization of sexuality and
love
- Fertility and reproductive control
- Ecological extract
- Propaganda- manipulation of
Published in:
minds
- Changing language, erasure of
Handmaids Tale-
truth
1985 - Rebellion
1984- 1949
, SURVEILLENCE
The erasure of privacy in dystopia
PANOPITICSIM
✺ Surveillance is the central mechanism of control- ensuring obedience through fear of constant observation
✺ Citizens internalize the watching of authority, and begin to police themselves- suppresses natural behavior
✺ Control is most effective when its invisible yet omnipresent-
✺ The constant fear destroys trust and intimacy- so even personal relationships can be corrupted by suspicion.
✺ It isolates individuals, preventing collective resistance and ensures the regimes power remains unchallenged
1984: Orwell presents a society where surveillance extends into every aspect of life- telescreens, microphones
and informants. “Big Brother is watching you”- privacy is impossible.
Parsons daughter denounces him to the Thought Police, for muttering in his sleep ‘Down with Big Brother’.
Handmaids Tale: Handmaids are watched by The Eyes and the fear of being reported makes control self-
sustaining- systems rely on their complicity to turn it into a cultural normality.
CONTEXT: Iran employs similar methods through extensive surveillance systems, online monitoring etc,
Critic: Katherine Bode- “Surveillance functions as a means of total control, ensuring that every citizens
actions and even thoughts are subject to the regimes power”.
Literature
Comparative essay- Tropes
- Surveillance
- Lack of freedom (of speech)
- Universal loss of freedoms
- Weaponization of sexuality and
love
- Fertility and reproductive control
- Ecological extract
- Propaganda- manipulation of
Published in:
minds
- Changing language, erasure of
Handmaids Tale-
truth
1985 - Rebellion
1984- 1949
, SURVEILLENCE
The erasure of privacy in dystopia
PANOPITICSIM
✺ Surveillance is the central mechanism of control- ensuring obedience through fear of constant observation
✺ Citizens internalize the watching of authority, and begin to police themselves- suppresses natural behavior
✺ Control is most effective when its invisible yet omnipresent-
✺ The constant fear destroys trust and intimacy- so even personal relationships can be corrupted by suspicion.
✺ It isolates individuals, preventing collective resistance and ensures the regimes power remains unchallenged
1984: Orwell presents a society where surveillance extends into every aspect of life- telescreens, microphones
and informants. “Big Brother is watching you”- privacy is impossible.
Parsons daughter denounces him to the Thought Police, for muttering in his sleep ‘Down with Big Brother’.
Handmaids Tale: Handmaids are watched by The Eyes and the fear of being reported makes control self-
sustaining- systems rely on their complicity to turn it into a cultural normality.
CONTEXT: Iran employs similar methods through extensive surveillance systems, online monitoring etc,
Critic: Katherine Bode- “Surveillance functions as a means of total control, ensuring that every citizens
actions and even thoughts are subject to the regimes power”.
