1984 By George Orwell Vs. Blade Runner By Ridley Scott: Comparative Essay

The dystopian novel 1984 by George Orwell and the 1982 science-fiction film Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott challenge their audiences to dissect what it means to be human. Orwell and Scott present their ideas through the internal conflict of their protagonists and their external conflict against a totalitarian government and a world ruled by technology. In 1984, Orwell uses literary techniques to prompt the reader to examine the strength of an individual’s humanity in a society that has lost all trace of individuality, love and critical thought. Scott presents a world in which humans have become completely alienated from nature and themselves and, conversely, by use of cinematic techniques, confronts his audience to consider how one’s humanity is not simply defined by their biological make-up.

Both authors show the dangers of a totalitarian regime and the possibility of a future world where humanity and individuality are repressed. In 1984, Orwell uses a close third-person point of view to give the reader insight to both the internal and external experience of living under a totalitarian government. Orwell places the reader in Winston’s position, thus allowing us to see his concerns. Orwell uses the technique to show the reader Winston’s thoughts and feelings while simultaneously commenting on them. For instance, when Winston realises that the proles have “stayed human”, then recalls “without apparent relevance” seeing a prole kick a human hand into the gutter a few weeks prior. Although Winston is oblivious to the relevance, the third-person perspective allows the audience to see, unlike the proles, that Winston has lost most of his humanity. The audience is able to recognise, through Orwell’s use of repetition and juxtaposition, that his loss is a result of the Party’s psychological manipulation and physical control. The slogan: “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU”, instils a fear in the people of Oceania, who know that if they rebel, they will be punished. Additionally, the juxtaposition in the mantras: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” is a paradox. The citizens of Oceania are forced by the Party to see and repeat these words every day in order to eliminate both positive and negative associations they have with those words. Thus, highlighting Orwell’s point that by invoking a paradox, you destroy meaning and control thought. In Blade Runner, Scott highlights the dangers of totalitarian rule through recurring motifs. The film begins with an extreme close-up shot of an eye occupying the entire screen, reflecting a Tyrell Corp pyramid, inducing images of the Christian symbol, the Eye of Providence. Scott also highlights their significance with the Voight-Kampff test which monitors the fluctuation of the pupil and dilation of the iris as a source of body language as they unconsciously demonstrate intent and emotion. Thus, emphasising the idea that our eyes are major parts of our humanity. Furthermore, when Roy goes on a journey to “meet his maker” he discovers the genetic designer of the eyes of the Nexus 6, and tells him, “Chew, if only you could see what I’ve seen with your eyes”, highlighting the importance of sight in the formation of one’s self as it is through his artificial eyes that he has started developing emotions. Furthermore, it is symbolic that the creator of the eyes shows him the way to his creator, Tyrell, as eyes are considered to be “windows to the soul”. When Roy finally meets and kills Tyrell, he forces his thumbs into his eyes, which is a deeply intimate and brutal death that indicates judgement of Tyrell’s character. It is ironic that one of Tyrell’s creations is what ultimately kills him. Both authors caution us that manipulation enforced under totalitarian control can transform one’s character and lead to the loss of traits that define our humanity.

Both authors comment that conformity can lead to a loss of individuality and to mass disapproval of people that defy the norm. In Blade Runner it is one’s biological origins. An issue raised in Blade Runner is the unjust treatment of the replicants because they are biologically different, though their mental lives turn out to be very similar to humans. Replicants are designed to be heartless, self-centred, and uncaring for other creatures. However, as the film progresses, we come to realise that there is little difference between humans and replicants. This is demonstrated when Rachael realises that she is not human, and tears trickle down her face; and by the fact that the Nexus-6 replicants are so desperate to increase their lifespan. These replicants are trying to be more than what their society portrays them to be. Their will to fight and go through such measures to live longer and hold onto their memories, despite being fabricated, makes them more than just androids. Thematically, there is the suggestion that the biological mass, the body, is not what matters, but the mind. This notion is emphasised by Deckard’s insistence to confirm a replicant on more evidence than just appearance. Ultimately, Scott has his audience left wondering what difference there is between a human and a replicant. Conversely, in 1984, society disapproves of people who think differently. Orwell uses a limited point of view to restrict his audience’s access to information and keep us reliant on the information given to Winston and lend more empathy towards him. For example, the reader is able to feel the betrayal and shock that Winston feels when the Brotherhood is revealed to be fictional. The telescreens that are present everywhere throughout Oceania force Winston to act like everyone else. Winston believes that although he must conform on the outside, that no one can take his individual thought away. The limited point of view allows the reader to sympathise with Winston and recognise that by conforming outwardly, he is gradually losing his individuality and humanity. Winston’s individuality is the only hope for human nature for he questions the most basic principles of the regime and commits a thoughtcrime. For instance, Winston questions the concept of freedom ‘How could you have a slogan like ‘freedom is slavery’ when the concept of freedom has been abolished?’ In both works, the authors make a point to show that your individuality is an important part of what makes us human.

Both Scott and Orwell explore how the advancement of technology can lead to loss of humanity. Orwell employs symbolism and descriptive detail in 1984 to caution his audience that the events in the novel could happen in real life. For example, Orwell describes the glass paperweight in immense detail, calling it more than just a “heavy lump of glass” but an object that held a “peculiar softness, as of rainwater”. This description highlights the paperweight’s importance as a symbol that signifies the lost past, the part of their world that the Party is destroying and Winston’s failed attempt to connect to his past. As their society progresses, parts of their history are being forgotten, inherently redefining and erasing their humanity. Another symbol is telescreens which symbolises the destructive and repressive power of technology. Orwell shows his distrust towards technology through Goldstein’s book. It says that ‘With the development of television, and the technical advance which made it possible to receive and transmit simultaneously on the same instrument, private life came to an end,’ thus meaning people were ultimately forced to not act like themselves but to how the Party wants them to. In Blade Runner, Scott repeatedly uses photographs to symbolise the importance of memories. The film anticipates the incoming wave of technology and incorporates them into the film, such as Deckard’s video call that serves as a proto-Skype or FaceTime. Photographs are used to enforce Scott’s ideas about the quality of memories. For example, Rachael’s “visual” recollection of her memories and Leon’s photographs. Scott promotes the idea that what the eyes see, and the resulting memories are not to be trusted. This notion is highlighted by Rachael’s fabricated memories and the printout of Leon’s photo not matching the reality of the Esper visual. However, photographs can provide proof that the past can be recalled with some certainty and Blade Runner also uses photographs to store memory. Leon risks his life to save his “precious photographs” because he knows they will outlive him. These photographs reassure them that their “memories” are real, and that they had a past even if not their own. It grants them with some form of authenticity – while a photo may fade, it will not be “lost like tears in rain”. Both Scott and Orwell caution their audiences of the dangers of technology and how, under a totalitarian regime, advancements may threaten to erase our past and change he way we define our humanity.

Both authors present their views on what defines and the repression of one’s humanity through various ideas and techniques. Their works show the dangers of technology and totalitarianism on our humanity, and that everyone’s own individuality is essential to defining what makes us human.