How does a comparative study highlight the relationship between ideas
explored in the texts and their contexts?
ThroughBy drawing connections between texts from erasdifferent contexts, wereaders are able to understand the influence of these contexts on societys ideas and values. come to heightened understandings of the ideas and values explored. Both Cold War texts, Ray Bradburys 1951 short story The Pedestrian and Kurt Vonneguts 1962 short story Harrison Bergeron reflect contextual anxieties regarding authoritarian controls that inhibit personal growth. Composed almost 50 years later, Kurt Wimmers science fiction film Equilibrium reflects more contemporary fears of technological advancements that restrict human identity and freedom. Ultimately, all three texts communicate the dehumanising consequences of absolute power and control. The Pedestrian reflects its context by exploringes the loss of human connection that results from an over-reliance of technology. Composed in the 1950s Bradburys text reflects growing contextual concerns ofregarding technologys influencethe influence of technology on the growth of suburban America in the post-World War 2 era. As foreshadowed by the title, The Pedestrian portrays a futuristic world where the simple act of walking has become a subversive act of rebellion, one which the protagonist Leonard Mead uses to maintain his humanity in a conformist world. where technology enforces conformity. The deathly imagery in grey phantoms and tomb-like buildings immediately connotes a mysterious atmosphere , portraying a spiritually empty society which reflects contextual fears regarding technology consuming ability to feel emotions.that parallels the eroding of human emotions. Bradburys portrayal of a spiritually empty society depicts the stagnancy of human creativity as technology has consumed their ability to express feelings. This notion is further explored through the hyperbole in thousands of miles he had never met another person walking which reveals the contextual dependence on technology following the popularity of motor vehicles, resulting in an inability to enjoy simple human acts and creating individuals disconnected from the world around them. The landscape imagery used as Mead imagines himself upon the centre of a plain, wintry, windless Arizona desert juxtaposes the tomblike houses ill-lit by television of his technologically reliant society.technological aspects of his society. Mead is symbolised asBy comparing Mead to a Hhawk flying freely over Arizona, he is characterisinged him as a symbol of hope., forcing readers to consider the contextual fear of technology consuming the ability to appreciate nature.Despite being ostracised by a conformist society, Mead remains free of technological control. This notion is further explored through the hyperbole in thousands of miles he had never met another person walking which reveals that a dependence on technology results in an inability to enjoy the human act of walking, creating individuals disconnected from the world around them. Through this, Bradbury warns readers that as individual identity vanishes, the existence of the human experience is also threatened. Ultimately, it is through the ironic ending where Mead is take to a Psychiatric Centre for Research on Regressive Tendencies that Bradbury reinforces the tragic consequences of technological dependencethe contextual fear of technology, specifically its suppressive nature on society and the subsequent loss of human connection that results from this.
Similarly to Bradburys text, Wimmers science fiction film Equilibrium reflects
contextual anxieties regarding the ability of technological advancements to oppress human emotions.explores the oppression of human emotion as a result of technological advancements. Reflecting the early 21st century concerns regarding the increased use of advanced innovationsuse of innovations such as mobile phones and the internet, Wimmer warns viewers of the dehumanising effects of modern technology. Equilibrium communicate the dystopian nature of a Post-World War 3 society where the drug Proziumscience is used to suppress human emotions., symbolised through the Prozium that citizens are forced to take in the films post World War 3 world. The contrast of Fathers voiceover seek out and eradicate the true source of mans inhumanity to man with the introduction of the protagonist, John Preston. Prestons dark figure in a back to the camera shotas he stands with his back to the camera reflects the loss of individuality in a world where, like the antidepressant treatments of the 21st century, medical advancesProzium areis used to sedate the masses. Contrastingly to Mead in The Pedestrian, Preston is a model citizen his emotionless face and monotonous voice communicating his ability to suppress emotions. Through the repetition in maximum kill maximum damage on the maximum number of opponents, Wimmer highlights how emotion has been stripped from the act of killing, thus reflecting the contextual villains of modern television who shaped the fear of psychopath and antisocial behaviour. Prestons society, like Meads, has become an emotionless state so devoid of human connection that everything that makes us what we are faded away Ultimately, Wimmers film Equilibrium reflects the loss of human characteristics that results from the contextual fear of technological advancements. Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron is a prophetic warning against the authoritarian regimes context that enforce absolute equality, thus restricting freedom and identity. Published in 1962, the text is a satirical portrayalscathing critique of Americas political system, specifically its egalitarian ideals. By taking the principles behind the United States Declaration of Independence where all men are created equal, Vonnegut creates a totalitarian society which uses handicaps to erode personal identity and freedom. The voyeuristic voice used to recount the imprisonment of above normal Harrison Bergeron as the H-G men took Harrison away parallels the governments total control over its citizens. Although Harrison has been stripped of his freedom, his society does not recognize his suffering. Vonneguts characterisationes of Harrison as a genius and an athlete who is ironically deemed dangerous illustrates the governments need to limit individuality., but is regarded as extremely dangerous for fear that he would overthrow the government. Through the simileBy tearing tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, Harrison symbolically strips his totalitarian government of their control over him, thus challenging the conformist ideas thrust upon him. However, The flaws of Americas egalitarian ideas are revealed through Harrisons execution which turns the concept of equality is turned into a futuristic nightmare when Diana Moon Glampers, the handicapper general, fired twice, executing Harrison. Harrison, like Mead, is punished for expressing freedom and as Diana, the Handicapper General, loads the gun again, she symbolically flaunts her superiority, forcing readers too consider the dominance of authoritarian governments as they realise that like the accused communists of the McCarthy
era, those not conformed to societys accepted standards were persecuted.
anybody not conforming to societys accepted standards were persecuted. Ultimately, Vonneguts depiction of a totalitarian government challenges the contextual ideas of egalitarianism, providing audiences with a warning against equality achieved through the sacrifice of identity and freedom. The dangers of contextualtotalitarian governments that enforce absolute equality at the disposal of human freedom is an idea that unites Wimmers film with Vonneguts text. Composed after the September 11 terrorist attacks in America when the government enforced more restrictive means of protecting its citizens, Equilibrium exposes the contextual fear of safety and peace achieved through the sacrifice of human freedom. Set in 192072, the citizens of the fictional city of Liberia are subjected to propaganda broadcasted through the television, resulting in a conformist society which ironically continues to battle The Resistance despite war being a word whose meaning faded from our understanding. Wimmer alludes to Nazi rule through the resemblance of Liberias emblem to the Nazi Swastika, demonstrating that inhumane, unjust rule can strip society of freedom and identity. Furthermore, the black and white montage of Hitler commanding his troops parallels Fathers dominance over the Liberians as he addresses a uniform sea of citizens and reflects Dianas reign in Harrison Bergeron, both leaders who rule through fear and control. Thus, Wimmer reflecting the contextual fear of total conformity that resulted from government surveillance following the September 11 attacks. Furthermore, Tthe low angle shot of the Mona Lisa before it is burnt highlights the inferiority of art at the hands of an authoritarian government, one which suppresses societys creative freedom.all human creativity and freedom. Furthermore, the black and white montage of Hitler commanding his troops parallels Fathers dominance over the Liberians as he addresses a uniform sea of citizens and reflects Dianas fearful reign in Harrison Bergeron. Wimmer illustrates the conformity that results from total control, thus reflecting the fear of government surveillance that followed the September 11 attacks. Coupled with the resemblance of Liberias emblem to the Nazi Swastika, Wimmer alludes to Nazi rule and demonstrates that inhumane, unjust rule can strip society of freedom and identity. Furthermore, the digetic sound of Prestons heartbeat as he use of a prominent heartbeat as Preston wakes from a nightmare employs diegetic sound to emphasises his newfound ability to feel human emotions, an act punishable by death in the Liberian society. Ultimately, Prestons ability to spark a revolution whilst Leonard and Harrison fail, contrasts the more hopeful 21 st century context that followed human rights movements and gender equality with the pessimistic and cynical Cold War era, thus conveying to readers that despite the constraints forced upon society, human nature will triumph. Thus, Wimmers film explore contextual concerns ofregarding oppressive governments that enforce conformity and stifle creativity and freedom. Although composed during different contexts, all three texts reflect contextual fears concerning totalitarian control and technologys ability to suppress human connection. Through an examination of technological advancements and its role in suppressing individuality in The Pedestrian and the exploration of authoritarian regimes present in Harrison Bergeron responders are forced to realise the Cold War fear of a controlled, conformist society. Accompanied with an analysis of scientific innovations in the 21st century context of Equilibrium,
readers are able to draw connections between the contexts and realise the dehumanising effects of absolute power and control.