Comparing a Dark Future: 1984 and Fahrenheit 451

When discussing the topic of censorship by government in the future, one would most likely reference the two novels 1984 by George Orwell and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Both of these novels were written at about the same time and examine similar topics. They also share many common themes and even have similarities between the writing styles. It is much easier to compare these two novels than it is to contrast them. These two books express each authors' fear of the unknown future and each deliver political statements that have held true from the time the books were originally published during the 1950's until now.

One of the most important themes that occurs in both novels is that of alienation and isolation, which is best shown through the main character of each novel. In 1984, the main character Winston is shown as one who does not quite fit in with the rest of his society. He has a continuous feeling in the back of his head that life as he knows it is not what it should be and begins writing in a journal about his thoughts, which is strictly illegal, "…Winston saw that he had left the diary open on the table. 'DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER' was written all over it…" (Orwell, 20)

The society that Winston lives in is governed by the Inner Party, and ultimately by a figure referred to as Big Brother. No members of the society are allowed to speak out, or even think out against the government. Every house, building, street, and public place has something called a telescreen, which constantly monitors the people and each of their actions, speech, and even expressions. If a person even appears to have a different thought than what they are mandated by Big Brother to have, this person will be arrested by the Thought Police and eventually vaporized. "Winston kept his back to the telescreen. It was safer; though, as he knew, even a back can be revealing." (3)