Saturday, April 17, 2010

How does the lyrics of the "The Resistance" relate to specific theme(s) in 1984?

One of Muse's new songs "The Resistance" in there latest album has been inspired by various external sources around them. When I listened to the song , it definitely reminded me of "Romeo and Juliet" and there constant fight for love against there families decisions, however that's not the topic i am going to share today. Other than the title which kind of tells it all, the lyrics in this song provides the listener with a deep sinister outlook of our modern society and how it is very similar to that of Orwell's 1984. "Resistance, Control, and the fight for love" are both common themes in the book 1984 and the song "The Resistance". In modern reality, individuals urge to resist governmental control through holding onto the one element that the government cannot control, the element of love. The element of love creates unity, peace and hope between individuals. Looking back at the lyrics,

"Love is our resistance
They keep us apart and they won't stop breaking us down
And hold me, our lips must always be sealed"

and

"Quell your prayers for love and peace
You'll wake the thought police
We can hide the truth inside"

You can realize that love is the one and only component that creates the resistance against Oceania's Party/Government, or in this case, our modern governmental control. Looking back at the Novel, you can realize that Winston and Julia cope with the different disasters around them through loving each other and going against the party's rules and regulations which creates a resistance against the party. The second verse of lyrics shows how an individual needs to suppress his prayers and love for peace because it may alert the thought police which in this case are the different controlling governments that strip pure freedom. However everything can go without saying meaning that people can still resist oppression through believing in themselves and hiding the truth inside just like how Winston and Juleit secretively go about their lives defying the party and Oceania...

Monday, April 5, 2010

How is war peace?

War, in some matter, can definetley be considered as peace. George Orwell's Theory of "Doublethink" explains how the kingdom of Oceania is easily brainwashed through holding different beleifs at the same time which creates peace and equality between individuals. However,in Oceania, the party suggests "war is peace" in order to stimulate individuals into fighting continuely between East Asia and Eurasia and eventually sustain peace at home. Further going into our class discussion today, i agree with many students that during times of war, different nations basically unite together against the enemy. If poeple focus on the enemy together, they easily forget about how unhappy they are individualy which is just what the party intended to do, in order to keep the goverment safe from people revolting against it.