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1984 and Adjustment Bureau Comparison
Even today many fear for a future resembling that of the civilization in the novel 1984. This novel by George Orwell takes place in the city of London at a time where England belongs to the super nation called Oceania. This super nation is ultimately controlled by “Big Brother” who is never seen but is greatly feared by all. Like Oceania, the world in The Adjustment Bureau is universally controlled by the “Chairman” who has a plan for everyone, which must be followed exactly. The major difference between the two is that the citizens in Orwell’s novel are aware of their ruler, while the citizens in the film are in full belief that they have the freedom to make their own choices. In this story of a totalitarian society, there lies many themes. They vary from the [government’s] great degree of power, to ones own identity. Furthermore, the most important themes have to do with a society where the ruling party has the ability to break any independent thinker, and yet there is one person who opposes that ruling party. Both 1984 as well as The Adjustment Bureau relate to each other in three corresponding ways: A main character who rebels against the machine; a “system” with extreme punishments for those who impose its rule; and a desire for love.
A poster for George Orwell's Novel 1984
A view of the city of 1984. Building has carvings which read:
David and Elise from the Adjustment Bureau
Both Winston and David realize they are not in control of their fate. Big Brother’s words “ignorance is strength”[1] are fitting to both the film and novel. In both, those who have a lack of knowledge of the great degree of power the ruling party has, the safer they are. Although Winston knows even having a single doubt about Big Brother can bring him a serious consequence such as being arrested, or even killed, he continues to have doubts of his ruler.One of the actions he taken in rebellion to the ruling party is buying and writing in a diary, which is highly punishable. Despite the fact David knows about the “machine” that controls his society he continues to fight for what he believes is right. When the Adjustment Bureau tells him he could never see Elise again, he rides the same bus for three years hoping he would come across her once again. [1] Winston and David know they are acting against dominant authorities, but continue to defy them, knowing they might lead to negative aftermaths.
In 1984, parallel to The Adjustment Bureau both ruling powers have extreme punishments for those who oppose its rule. When David walks in on the Adjustment Bureau making adjustments to his colleague’s mind, he is chased down and sedated. He is given two choices to from the bureau: keep their agency a secret as well as stay away from the love of his life; or be “reset,” having his mind erased of anything he has ever known. [2] This would make him oblivious to anything around him, and in the eyes of others, would give the impression that he was going insane.The bureau threatens him because he is going against the plan, and creating “ripples” along the way, which ultimately alter the future. Winston is aware that punishments he might receive from the party may include being placed under arrest, or even death. In both the film and novel there are big super powers who are willing to do anything in order to maintain their power. Consequently, Winston fears that he is already being suspected, by Julia and O’Brien.[1] Both Characters become major complications in the plans of their rulers.
The film itself is based on a congressman named David Norris fighting so hard for the one thing he loves most: love. He is so determined to have Elise, he defies against the superpower, putting aside the possibility of losing everything and creates a very big altercation with the bureau. It was stated in the “plan” that he and Elise were never meant to meet again, and therefore they will do anything in their power to keep them apart. This factor does not matter to David, for he is willing to risk it all for the one thing he wants most of all. [2] Through the conflicting emotions, Julia is Winston’s love interest. This leads him to have thoughts he shouldn’t have. From love, to marriage, even having children- everything is controlled by the ruling party, and must always be done with their permission. David tries to leave Elise for a while, when he comes to light of the great future Elise can have without him. Winston like David, aware of the consequences that can come from the party, therefore it is safer for her not to be involved with him. Both have a major authority keeping them apart from the possibility of love. Both characters are denied love, for the benefit of sticking to the plan, for the good of society.
Winston and David live in similar societies where their main themes are the same: they both have a forbidden love interest; they both rebel against their ruling power; and in both stories there are many severe punishments for going against the expected behavior. David is threatened from the Adjustment Bureau, and Winston, although not directly, is threatened by the thought police. They are both running from a higher authority to just obtain a normal life. Both know they might suffer major repercussions by rebelling against such a powerful authority, but do so anyhow. They are both denied what we consider basic rights, although these are unfair expectations, they must be carried out for the benefit of society. With that rises the question, how much power will we let our government attain?