What makes a dystopia effective?
Composers of dystopian texts depict bleak futures to
highlight the potentially detrimental consequences
of contemporary issues, aiming to spark a
change in society.
Brave New World, a dystopian novel written by Aldous Huxley,
portrays a futuristic society of genetically modified citizens to
warn audiences of the potential adverse effects
of scientific developments. Similarly, V for
Similarly, V for Vendetta is a dystopian film depicting a
future where the United Kingdom has been subjugated
by a dictator who rules through fear and totalitarianism
to raise awareness about tyranny and oppression
by government. Both texts are very effective
in sending their message as they depict a
bleak future that urges contemporary audiences
to consider current issues that could be detrimental
to future generations, including the issue
of freedom and individuality. What will happen
if governments continue to subdue our freedom
and remove our individuality?
Audiences are urged to consider issues of
freedom and individuality through Huxley’s
depiction of a bleak future where citizens
are confined to a hypnotic state from birth,
inspired by his observation of the increasing
tendency of Western governments to intrude
upon people’s lives in the 1930’s. Huxley
persistently employs animalistic imagery throughout
the novel, such as when John observes the
Delta children staring with “the stupid
curiosity of animals”, or when he quotes
“goats and monkeys” from Othello to reinforce
how the lack of freedom results in dehumanisation.
This dehumanisation is also ironic, as Huxley’s
dystopic society seeks to “elevate” humans
by making them less primitive, but instead,
it only dehumanises its citizens. Moreover,
the citizens constant repetition of the word
“Ford” as symbolises worship, alluding
to Henry Ford, who was revered for perfecting
mass production techniques. Consequently,
this implies the loss of individuality to
the point where humans are mass-produced and
“grown” on an assembly line, thus positioning
the audiences to consider the issue of a lack
of individuality through a depiction of a
bleak future where humans are mass-produced.
Essentially, what Huxley is trying say is
that without freedom and individuality, we
would all be the same and there would be no
genuine happiness in society.
Similarly, V for Vendetta depicts a bleak
future through a society devoid of emancipation
and where individuality is suppressed through
discipline and surveillance to urge contemporary
audiences to consider issues of freedom and
individuality. The inspiration behind the
film was based on George Bush’s presidency,
portraying a government built on fear. Analogous
to Brave New World, V for Vendetta also employs
irony by highlighting the measures the government
took to restrict freedom during a period where
the United States was imposing the so-called
“Freedom Act”, thus urging audiences to
consider the absurdity of a lack of freedom
and individuality. In addition, the song “1812
Overture” is deliberately played each time
V obliterates a government building, written
by Russian composer Tchaikovsky to commemorate
Moscow’s victory against Napoleon’s army.
"1812 Overture" *Music*
The dramatic and victorious music builds suspense
and foreshadows how the London society will
ultimately overcome the oppressive government,
consequently urging audiences to consider
the importance of freedom. In addition, V
is illustrated with a masked, vigilant-like
appearance, providing a stark contrast to
ordinary citizens, implying that he does not
conform to society, hence provoking audiences
to consider the issue of individuality. The
Guy Fawkes mask itself and V’s persistent
repetition of the slogan: “Remember, remember
the fifth of November” both allude to Guy
Fawkes’ failed attempt to destroy the British
House of Parliament, illustrating V’s anarchistic
nature and urging audiences to consider the
value of freedom. In essence, V for Vendetta
emphasises that our freedom and individuality
should not be taken away by the government,
and that “people shouldn’t be afraid of
their government, government should be afraid
of their people”.
In conclusion, both Brave New World and V
for Vendetta depict bleak futures resulting
from current societal behaviours to urge audiences
to consider contemporary issues, most notably
freedom and individuality. Both are extremely
effective as rather than explicitly conveying
their message to the audience, they warn audiences
of the potential implications of current trends,
hence achieving the ultimate goal of a dystopian
text: to create change within society.
