Similarities Between Metropolis And 1984

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Through the comparative study of Metropolis by Fritz Lang and Nineteen-Eighty Four (1984) by George Orwell, it is clear that technology aids the progress of dictatorship to a great extent. By exploring the contextual perspectives of both Lang and Orwell, it can be seen that the creation of fear through the means of technology allows authoritarians to manipulate people. Both texts highlight the control that authority gains through technology, however in Metropolis, Fredersen utilises technology as a weapon of destruction, igniting fear, while in 1984, the Party uses technology as a tool for surveillance and punishment. In Metropolis, technology in the form of machinery is used at a large extent by Fredersen to coerce the workers. The machinery…show more content…
Someone must stay with the machine!” depicts Georgy’s desperation to work due to his fears of the explosion of the machine. Fear of the violent nature of the machinery can also be seen in Grot’s slouched body posture, as he steps hesitantly to unlock the doors of the heart machine, dreading the repercussions. Due to the worker’s fears of life-threatening machinery, they are compelled to obey the orders of authority, which demonstrates how technology aids dictatorship in gaining control over the people. The result of this fear of technology in the form of manipulation of the workers can also be seen through the biblical allusion in the full shot of the Moloch machine. The chiaroscuro in the full shot of the Moloch machine, makes the Moloch the most salient, which emphasises the degree of the Moloch’s power and importance. This highlights how the Moloch is representative of the dictator. Likewise, the workers are the sacrifices that mechanically march into its mouth. The mechanical, timed marching of the workers up the stairs demonstrates the lack of resistance towards authority. Hence, this scene displays the effect of the fear…show more content…
The generation of fear through constant surveillance and punishment enables the Party to maintain the people and their desires, and ultimately sustain the Party’s control over the people. In 1984, fear is generated the Ministry of Love through the use of the electrocuting bed. The effectiveness of this fear can be seen through the juxtaposition of two quotes. The use of exclamation illustrates Winston’s certainty. “Four! Four! What else can I say? Four!” However, as the levels of pain increased, Winston fear makes his shift in ideas, seen through repetition in the quote, “I don’t know. I don’t know. Four, five, six – in all honesty I don’t know.” Winston changes to adhere to the Party’s beliefs, in order to halt the pain. This demonstrates how the fear generated through technology is used to manipulate people to change their ideas and ultimately allow authoritarians to control the people. The fear of surveillance also reinforces the fear of punishment. The telescreens which heavily monitor the activities of the people, allow the party to manage possible acts of rebellion. For example, the syntax in the quote “Anything could give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself –“ demonstrates the cautiousness that people employed due the spying nature of the telescreens.
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