Author: Tess

“Good cannot exist without evil, since evil is necessary as a counterpart to good.” A theme that many dystopian pieces present is the loss of individualism due to control of the state. This idea is created to shock the reader into the realization that their free will is at risk of being taken from them without their knowledge so that the authoritarian figure can remain in power and enforce their policies without opposition. Individual choice is shown to be taken by oppressive methods disguised as a beneficial solution to society’s problems like in Minority Report with PreCrime and A Clockwork Orange’s Ludovico Technique. They appear to promote goodness but in reality, it’s only the option of committing any evil that is eliminated. However, with the removal of evil comes the removal of all good actions. Without the option of evil no one chooses to be good, we only go down the path already designed for us. The image and symbolism of the watchful eye is a technique used by dystopian creators George Orwell, Steven Speilberg, Anthony Burgess, and the band Radiohead to symbolise the loss of individualism. The constant observation that the eye represents reminds the characters and reader that they have no choice and are under the control of an authority figure.

In Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, invasive methods are used to strip the citizens of Oceania of their individualism. The imagery of the symbolic leader Big Brother is posted in many public spaces in order to remind the main character, Winston, that he is being watched at all times “the black moustachioed face gazed down from every commanding corner. There was one on the house-front immediately opposite. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption said, while the dark eyes looked deep into Winston’s own.” In this totalitarian militaristic state, citizens are expected to accept the word of the Party and Big Brother. Winston begins to question the Party’s legitimacy and silently rebels as an act of regaining individuality and for the first time rejects the “choices” the Party has forced onto him. Throughout this journey the symbolism of Big Brother’s watchful eye remains present, reminding the reader that this self-discovery is futile. The thoughtpolice exist to preserve public support of the Party by vapourising any person that has opposing ideologies or commits “thoughtcrime”. The presence of the thoughtpolice removes the possibility of individuality because unorthodox thoughts are punished “Orthodoxy means not thinking–not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.” While the origin of the Party is unknown, we are told that their aim is to simply have control of every individual, resource and piece of information to ever exist “We are interested solely in power, pure power.” by manipulating the population’s ability to express themselves as individuals and view them as a collective. A surprising amount of characters are comfortable or complacent with this unremitting surveillance and oppressive to the frustration of Winston and the reader which can be explained by this quote “The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better.” The population would rather stay blissfully ignorant of the freedom they could have alongside happiness.

The opportunity to make morally good decisions isn’t threatened more than in Minority Report. Set primarily in Washington DC in the year 2054, a system called PreCrime was created for the purpose of preventing murder. It uses mutated humans with psychic abilities called “Precogs” to receive visions of the future. PreCrime shows many similarities to Nineteen Eighty-Four’s thoughtcrime system other than just their names. Both punish people that have yet to commit a crime. Preventative methods disallow choice and personal improvement because the option of making the right decision is forcefully taken from them and they’re punished before even making a mistake. The quote “My father once told me, “We don’t choose the things we believe in; they choose us” spoken by the director of PreCrime, Lamar, represents the determinism an authoritative figure has over free will – that our options are already decided for us. Protagonist, John Anderton is trying to prove his innocence, being accused of a murder he hasn’t yet committed. On his journey through futuristic Washington DC, eyes are displayed all over the city on holographic advertising. This appears meaningless at first, but to the viewer, it signifies extreme surveillance and the inability to live freely; much like in Nineteen Eighty-Four with Big Brother posters. Uniquely, in Minority Report eyes also represent the identity of an individual. In this dystopia “iris scanners” exist over the city to monitor all citizens. Eyes represent the personal identity and the iris scanners have control over this without consent; once again signifying the loss of individualism by cause of an authority figure “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king”.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess discusses the cost of losing individualism has on morality. The main character, Alex is arrested after a violent night of murder and rape. In order to shorten his sentence, he agrees to take part in a procedure called the Ludovico Technique; a method of associating violent impulses with crippling nausea. He is forced to watch videos of violence and sex while being injected with nausea-inducing drugs “But I could not shut my glazzies, and even if I tried to move my glazz-balls about I still could not get like out of the line of fire of this picture” The theme of eyes being used to show loss of individualism is exhibited through this quote. His eyes are manipulated against him to strip him of his ability to choose. The Ludovico Technique opens a discussion of morality and choice, Burgess aims to make the reader realize that good cannot exist without evil and that to be good we must choose “The important thing is moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by the grinding opposition of moral entities.”. Alex is said to be cured but he believes that he is not a better man than he was before “Is it better for a man to have chosen evil than to have good imposed upon him?”. The Ludovico Technique is similar to Minority Report’s PreCrime in the way that they are both disguised as beneficial to society by preventing crime but in reality, it strips people of their humanity. Our humanity comes from our ability to choose whatever choice that may be “Goodness is chosen. When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man.”. It is also similar in how an individual’s eyes are used against them and force them into obedience.

The lyrics of ‘2+2=5’ by Radiohead demonstrate how this loss of individualism is taken and holds the public responsible. The line “You can scream and you can shout it is too late now because you have not been payin’ attention” clearly states that we are not currently being attentive to the power of the systems that guide us and that we’re being complacent with our freedoms being infringed upon. It also claims that when we realize that we have lost control, we will no longer be in a position to do anything about it “Don’t question my authority or put me in a box”, so we must act now. “Payin’ attention” contributes to the theme of eyes as it describes how we are not being observant to the risks. This line is repeated multiple times in an attempt to make us recognise this truth, almost as if it’s a plea. This song includes the lyric “And two and two always makes up five”, a direct reference to Nineteen Eighty-Four “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”. This line means that as long as the group in power has total control they have complete authority over the truth that they can bend to their favour. The reference to a dystopian written in 1948 is a way of expressing how the same concerns still exist in today’s world. Radiohead embraces the ultimate theme that we are oblivious or complacent to our individuality being taken from us and acts as a warning for us not “Payin attention”.

The purpose of dystopian texts like Nineteen Eighty-Four, Minority Report, A Clockwork Orange and 2+2=5 is to alert people of the signs that their freedoms and individualism are being threatened. The danger of losing individualism as shown prominently in A Clockwork Orange is the risk of losing moral choice. While morality is completely subjective, we have generally agreed upon global rules that benefit us and promote genuine goodness. If we lose the ability to choose freely for ourselves and explore our options then we remove what makes us human and the opportunity for personal development. These dystopias come about by a slow and subtle corruption that isn’t noticed until it is too late, but there are warnings – like the imagery of the eyes presented in the texts. The symbolism of the eyes is to remind us of the looming presence of the authority’s power and that the characters are being watched. As warned by the creators of these texts, we need to become more aware of the symbolic parallels that may exist in our own society or face having our individualism taken from us “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” 

Springtime, dawn. A canopy of muted blue creeps through the gaps in a grey skyline. Lights that kept the city awake flicker off now. The workers of the night creep back into their caves, leaving only a memory and cigarette ash on the ground.

Look at the city streets already filled. A steady river. Doctors, accountants, wannabe actors, cashiers. There’s somewhere to be. The dewy concrete, still wet from a long winter, has suffered years of abuse from well-shined leather shoes. Still it lay, below mile-high offices and the unseen sky. Forgotten broken bottles litter the dedicated ground, the heavy foot of a calculated businessman will walk upon them every day until they turn into a fine powder. Overhead, neon screens scream subtle insults. A bikini-clad woman takes centre stage, with a bright smile and sad eyes she’s ready to perform. 

High heels. A brand new pair. Red. Confidently struts down the path. Yet another dagger into the beaten stone. Click click click. The sun that had been so sorely missed reflects a red shadow onto the pavement with every step. Each one more proud than the last. The gentle breeze dances its way through each street, each alleyway just for her. To flit and fly through a beautifully tangled mess. The pencil skirt, the tight-fitting blouse, the rouge lipstick, the sultry eyeshadow, and of course, the heels. Each man ogling, some brave enough to yell their fantasies; much to the dismay of their wives. Eyes forward, don’t look. There’s no reason for fear, the safety of the day will keep all women safe. And so, she keeps walking and the city returns. It’s already forgotten her. 

The street is dark. Even the midnight employees don’t find work here. Listen closely, a gentle buzzing can be heard. It’s the sound of a single streetlight with a warm amber glow trying to stay awake. The breeze of the day is gone, instead replaced with a gale. It whips and rattles the doors lining the road. The same clicking of wood on stone, that echoed through the day was gifted to night. And the night rejected it. An unfamiliar silhouette rounds the corner. Two dark eyes meet her own. A deep breath in and a quickened pace. She plunges her hand into her purse reaching desperately for her keys. Her heartbeat pulses and thumps in her ears. She winds her shaky fingers around the jagged metal. Be ready, stay alert. But it’s too late and she knows it. She knows that the howling of the wind would be louder than her own. And, she knows that it would be her fault. This will be another secret to seep into the cement. Rough, calloused hands grab and rip while chapped lips release obscenities and slurs. Perfectly manicured nails claw for freedom. The fresh air of the night is polluted with the smell of sweat, and his dirty words.

Tomorrow you will wake. Bruised and battered, but alive. You’ll stagger to the shower and turn the heat up high enough that your skin glows raw. Enough soap and shampoo will make you feel better, if you scrub hard enough you might reach the guilt deep in your gut and scoop it out. You’ll put together an outfit for the day. A long-sleeved shirt, a blazer, trousers, and of course, clumsy leather boots. The same ugly pair that you’d made a promise to yourself to never wear again as long as you could afford not to. You couldn’t. The heels you’ll throw at the wall and blame will be gently picked up and placed inside the cupboard. Dust will gather and there they will sit. Once touched, once loved, and ever so slightly broken.

The average woman is well aware of the tribulation she will face as a result of her gender and the society she was born in to. Sexism is defined as the prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination based on a person’s sex, although typically against women due to systematic oppression. Harper Lee, a famous female author highlights what life was like for women in the deep south of the United States during the great depression in her coming-of-age/Southern gothic novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. The story follows a young girl, Scout Finch growing up and learning the prejudice in her hometown. The setting of Maycomb holds many aspects that provide a platform for sexism to be illustrated in this text. The three aspects of setting I will be discussing that reinforce the idea of sexism is the role religion had in oppressing women, the location that the story takes place and what the time period allowed women to do. All these factors contribute to the setting.

Religion is considered a part of a novel’s setting because its principles can directly change the way one acts. For this reason, the major religious influence of the south played a part in the oppression of woman due to widely held Christian values that saw women as lesser than men. The Maycomb population has a singular religion of Christianity with different branches dependent on each character. Atticus Finch and his children are Methodists, which support the idea of women in leadership positions and overall equality for all people. A Baptist community also exists in Maycomb, and their belief system strictly adheres to the Bible. The Bible directly quotes “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, she must be silent.” and “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord”. These quotes, inherently disallow the opportunity for women to strive in any setting and proving that religion plays a substantial role in oppressing women. Additionally, this provides an insight into how sexism was displayed in real-life settings similar to Maycomb. Coupled with the fact that religion was a core foundation to these societies it would be near impossible to dispute these words without being frowned upon by the community. The mention of Baptists in ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ occurs when Miss Maudie, the Finch’s neighbour, retails to Scout when a group of Baptists insulted her. She states “Foot-washers believe anything that’s pleasure is a sin.” and “(they) think women are a sin by definition”. Conveniently, the beliefs that the Baptists hold seem to target women. This shows that this particular religious group disapproves of Miss Maudie’s “female tendency” and ultimately prohibits any freedoms that women might want to experience. Harper Lee specifically chose a religiously dense setting for her novel to reinforce the idea of sexism.

Gender roles are often forced onto easily influenced children at a young and nowhere more prevalent than in the south of the United States. The Southern States included Alabama, where ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ was set, and are generally far more socially conservative than its Northern states counterpart. The gender roles mentioned follow the stereotypes of boys having to be masculine, aggressive and self-confident. While girls had to like tea parties, the colour pink and wear dresses. These stereotypes follow children into adulthood that create an oppressive, segregated and fundamentally sexist socio-cultural environment where you were expected to act completely like your born gender. “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn’t supposed to be doing things that required pants.”  Aunt Alexandra’s hope for Scout is to be an idyllic Southern Belle much like how she views herself, fundamentally forcing her into the female gender role that is aforementioned as sexist. Southern Belles are described as upper-class white women in the American South. Women that fell into this category had no choice but to hold a perfect appearance to the community or otherwise bring shame to their families. Without this novel being based in Alabama, this “Southern Belle” expectation of women would not exist and Scout would not make her realisations of the sexism in Maycomb, which helps give the reader perspective of this important theme. “I was more at home in my father’s world. People like Mr. Heck Tate did not trap you with innocent questions to make fun of you; even Jem was not highly critical unless you said something stupid.” This quote proves the Scout has been influenced to favour men because of the untrustworthy culture that surrounds Southern Belles. Enforcing the idea of sexism into this young girl. Additionally, “Scout, I’m tellin’ you for the last time, shut your trap or go home—I declare to the Lord you’re gettin’ more like a girl every day!” With that, I had no option but to join them.” This illustrates that no matter what Scout feels inclined to, she is pressurized to join this oppressed group of women that find their only freedom in gossiping about others and hosting tea parties. The locational setting of the story is important to the theme of sexism because the Southern States were far more traditional which paired with Lee’s intention of displaying sexism.

Women have historically been disadvantaged by way of law and societal norms. The time period in which a story is set in is particularly important to the overall plot, this is why if ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ was set in 2019 the story would be non-existent because those laws that once prohibited basic freedoms have since been abolished. Therefore, no platform is provided for a story with this kind of prejudice to be realistic. Only thirteen years before the beginning of the story ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, based in 1933,  women earned the right to vote. A right that males had instinctively since a democratic system was created. In the novel, during the Tom Robinson trial Atticus states to his curious children “For one thing, Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she is a woman.” It wasn’t until 1968 that all American women could take this vital role in society. Possibly, if women had been able to have this role, jury verdicts in cases of prejudice, such as the Tom Robinson trial, might have transpired differently. “”I doubt if we’d ever get a complete case tried—the ladies’d be interrupting to ask questions.” Jem and I laughed. Miss Maudie on a jury would be impressive. I thought of old Mrs. Dubose in her wheelchair—”Stop that rapping, John Taylor, I want to ask this man something.”” here it is displayed that the children have to imagine women on juries, if this was novel was set in more modern times the same sexism shown surrounding the trial would not be known because women serving on a jury is no longer a concept. This time period of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ very clearly demonstrates the law enforced sexism that was put in place to “protect” women from the harshness of the world when in reality it only marginalized women and reinforced an acceptance of sexism in society. Harper Lee was born in 1926, meaning that throughout a large portion of her adult life she was unable to serve on a jury because of her gender, and with her being raised in Alabama where prejudice was rife, she could have possibly felt helpless when trials such as the one in her book occurred. Lee purposefully chose 1933 as the time period for her novel because it creates an ideal setting as the women’s rights movement was gaining momentum, so there was room for discussion. However, there were still many restrictions on women which allowed for sexism to be shown.

All the aspects of setting in Harper Lee’s controversial novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ coupled easily with the subject of sexism as they all serve an intended role in reinforcing this theme. These aspects being, religion, location and historical era. Lee’s ultimate intention in writing this novel the way she did was to force the reader to reflect on their own inner prejudices so that one might change the way they think. Also, to display the inner-rooted prejudice in traditional communities like the one she grew up in, so she could bring attention to a topic that was willingly ignored in her time.

Act 5 Scene 1

Characters: Doctor, Gentlewoman, Lady Macbeth

Location: Dunsinane, a room in the castle

Events: Lady Macbeth’s gentlewoman tells a doctor about her mistress’ behaviour while sleepwalking. Lady Macbeth appears holding a candle. While asleep Lady Macbeth imagines she is washing blood off her hands and talks about the murders.
The Doctor leaves, shocked at what he has seen and heard.

Quotes: “Out, damned spot! out, I say!” – Lady Macbeth
“Ay, but their sense are shut.” – Gentlewoman

Act 4, Scene 3

Characters:  Macduff,  Malcolm, Doctor and Rosse

Location: England, a room in the King’s palace,

Events: Malcolm is visited by Macduff. Malcolm is worried, he fears that Macduff might betray him to Macbeth for personal reward. Macduff is saddened that Malcolm thinks this.
To test Macduff’s loyalty, Malcolm pretends to be even harsher and crueler than Macbeth. He pretends to be greedy and lack all the qualities of a king. Macduff finally believes that Malcolm is sinful and rejects him as fit to rule Scotland. Malcolm is reassured of Macduff’s trust and explains that he lied to test his loyalty.

As Malcolm explains that King Edward has the power to cure “the King’s evil”, Rosse arrives to report the latest news from Scotland. Rosse states that Macduff’s family is well and that men are preparing to rebel against Macbeth. Malcolm confirms his plans to invade Scotland with support of the English army. Rosse breaks the news that Macduff’s family has been murdered. Malcolm comforts Macduff.

They leave to prepare for the invasion of Scotland.

Quotes: “Let us seek out some desolate shade and there
Weep our sad bosoms empty” – Malcolm

Act 4 Scene 2

Characters: Lady Macduff, Rosse, Macduff’s Son, Messenger and Murderers

Location: A room in Macduff’s castle, Fife

Events: Lady Macduff tells Rosse that Macduff fleeing to England showed no concern for his family. When Rosse leaves, Lady MD’s son, who refuses to believe the story that his father is dead, asks about traitors. A messenger arrives and warns Lady MD of approaching danger. The murderers burst in and kill the Son and chase after Lady MD.

Quotes: “What, you egg!” – Murderer

Act 4 Scene 1

Characters: Witch 1, Witch 2, Witch 3, Hecate, Macbeth, Apparition 1, Apparition 2, Apparition 3 and Lenox

Location: A dark cave

Events: The witches prepare for their meeting with Macbeth by creating a magic brew. Macbeth arrives and commands the Witches to answer his questions whatever the consequences. The Witches “masters” (Hecate) takes the form of apparitions. The first apparition (an armoured head) warns Macbeth about Macduff, but the second apparition (a bloodied child) reassures him that he cannot be harmed by any man who was born by a woman. With his suspicions confirmed, Macbeth vows to kill Macduff. A third  apparition appears (a child wearing crown) and tells him that he will not be defeated until Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane.
At Macbeth’s insistence to know whether Banquo’s son becomes king, the Witches show a procession of eight kings with Banquo at the end.
The Witches disappear and Lenox arrives to report that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth decides to attack Macduff’s family while he is away.

Quotes: “Double, double, toil and trouble: Fire, burn; and cauldron, bubble.” – All the witches

“Be bloody, bold and resolute: laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” – Apparition 2

Act 3 Scene 6

Characters: Lenox and a Lord

Location: Somewhere in Scotland

Events: Lenox voices his suspicions to the Lord about Duncan and Banquo’s deaths. Lenox sarcastically recounts the events. The Lord reports that Malcolm is with the King of England, and that Macduff has gone there to find support to bring Macbeth down.

Quotes: “May soon returned to this our suffering country under a hand accursed!” – Lenox

Act 3 Scene 5

Characters: Witch 1, Witch 2, Witch 3 and Hecate

Location: A heath

Events: Hecate rebukes the Witches for not involving her in their dealings with Macbeth in a soliloquy. Hecate vows to lead Macbeth to his destruction.

Quotes: “How did you dare to trade and traffic with Macbeth, in riddles, and affairs of death;” – Hecate