Surprisingly enough, Brave New World and 1984 are very different, but they do share some similarities.
The books have a lot more in common than just the fact that they take place in London. Both societies allow no freedom. In 1984 the citizens are watched all the time while in Brave New World the citizens are brainwashed all the time, but the result is no freedom for both. In 1984 the people have no privacy because they are constantly under surveillance, and anything they say or do can be reported. They have no freedom of expression, any thoughts they have can get them into big trouble. Winston had "original thoughts" and that got him caught. He thought that he was free because he had the freedom of saying that the sum of two and two is four even if the Party had brainwashed everyone else into thinking that it is five. He was caught and re-educated into thinking that if the Party said that the sum of two and two is five, then it IS five. This freedom of expression and opinion was taken away. Since the people in Brave New World are also brainwashed, no further explanation is necessary to say that they have no freedom of opinion or expression. Their only opinions or expressions are false, made up, created by years of brainwashing and slogans. When it comes down to differences, though, the books reach extremes. For example, it is very badly seen to have sex in 1984. There are anti-sex leagues EVERYWHERE. The Party wants to kill the animal sex instinct. The only time when sex is allowed is when the couple needs to have children, which is encouraged. Some, like Winston's wife, call it "our duty to the Party". However, if no child is produced, the couple is encouraged to part. But in Brave New World, sex is exposed, promoted, even, to children at a very young age. It is considered abnormal for a kid not to take part in sexual games. There is even a period of time, "recess", where kids can run around, naked, and take part in sexual games. Teenagers are surprised to learn that in the past, children did not have sexual games, and that even at their age it was badly seen to have sex. POLYGAMY is even encouraged! If two people are in a relationship, it is not called 'dating", but rather "owning". "Everyone owns everyone" is one of the slogans. But, sex or no sex, there is no love. In 1984, there is sex only to make babies. Of course, there is SOME love, like the love of the parents for their children (the Party encourages the parents to love and take care of their children), but there is almost no love between partners, like with Winston and his wife. In Brave New World there is no love either, not even love for children, as people do not have children. There is only sex and sexual pleasure between people. I think this (the fact that there is no love in these societies) is done so that there is absolutely no rebellion. It may sound a bit stupid just like that, but think about it like this: when two people love each other, like really love each other, they are ready to do anything for their loved one, and that includes going against society rules. The more rules are broken for loved ones, the more this can lead to a rebellion. And a rebellion can throw off the government. So... the bast way to avoid a rebellion is... to avoid love.
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