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I found the links to be interesting and informative. Indeed, modern feminism (within the larger context of "political correctness") has many parallels with Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm.
For example, the pigs (read feminists) in Animal Farm started with Seven Commandments - the main tenets of "animalism" (read feminism). Notably,
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
7. All animals are created equal.
This translates into:
1. Anything male or created by males is bad.
2. Anything female or created by females is good.
7. Females and males are created equal.
Feminism started with the contradiction between the anti-male bias of #1 and #2 versus #7 (which seemed reasonable at face value). Over time #7 devolved to "all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others" (with animalism) and "females are more equal than males" (with feminism).
Another interesting parallel between Animal Farm and feminism is the way the pigs first gained power by driving out humans, but had to collaborate with them in the end to consolidate their power over the other animals. Compare this to the cognitive dissonance suffered by feminists who at once have tried to drive men out of the lives of women and children while at the same time requiring the misguided chivalry of men in power (the so-called "patriarchy") in order to achieve this end. At the end of Animal Farm, the farm animals look into the farmhouse and can't tell the difference between the pigs and the humans that they are supposed to despise. Similarly, when one looks at feminists, it is difficult to tell the difference between them and the "patriarchy" that they are supposed to despise (some of them even look masculine!).
The sheep in Animal Farm were notable for bleating "four legs good, two legs bad." This resembles some radical feminists who can only chant slogans like "all men are rapists" as, like the sheep, they are incapable of higher forms of reasoning.
In 1984, protagonist Winston Smith lives in a totalitarian state which features concepts such as “newspeak” and “double think,” that is, a new language that makes dissenting opinion impossible while allowing a person to accept contradictory ideas. Loyalty to the state’s figurehead, Big Brother, is maintained through the use of devices such as telescreens, as well as various “ministries” and informants. In such a society, traditional concepts such as romantic love between a man and a woman are nearly impossible. For example, while Winston manages to form a temporary relationship with a woman named Julia (a woman he at first was conditioned to hate), the relationship is doomed when their attempted rebellion is thwarted by the state.
While not all of 1984 relates directly to feminism and political correctness, there are some interesting parallels. For example, the concept of “newspeak” resembles the manipulation of language by political correctness, which tends to denigrate traditional values while replacing them with words and phrases that defy reason. An egregious example of this is calling abortion “a woman’s right to choose,” which is a sanitized phrase that allows the dehumanization and destruction of an unborn child (particularly in the case of “partial birth” abortion). The mass media also promulgates political correctness using its own form of “news speak,” with television sets serving as one-way telescreens.
The social climate of Orwell’s 1984 also made traditional romantic relationships all but impossible. Eerily, overblown concepts such as “sexual harassment” took root in the real 1980s, becoming one of several factors making heterosexual relationships progressively more difficult as time went on.
At the end of Orwell’s 1984, Winston Smith is captured and reprogrammed by agents of the state to the point where he confesses his “love” for Big Brother. I just hope that the Winston Smith’s of today’s men’s movement don’t meet the same fate.
Well, it’s late and I must turn off my telescreen – er computer and get some rest.
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Thank you for the comments. I also have another link that describes Orwell as sticking to his roots in socialism, but never once being afraid to criticize the left wing when they begin to approach censorship and totaltarianism.
"The social climate of Orwell’s 1984 also made traditional romantic relationships all but impossible. Eerily, overblown concepts such as “sexual harassment” took root in the real 1980s, becoming one of several factors making heterosexual relationships progressively more difficult as time went on. "
On another note, I have seen a local university that offers a new course in 'The Myth of Love'. It is a deconstructionism approach. I find that very interesting with your statements. Its design clearly is to destroy itimate relationships between people. Since it basically states that only fools fall in love.
I even remember this comercial 'Herbal Essence' and similiar comercials where the woman is depicted as being more sexually gratified by a shampooing or whatever than with a man. Bizarre. But its constantly repeated. What is its purpose?
The bells of Pavlov's Feminists are ringing.
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I'd be intrested in that link Dan. I consider myself a socialist for lack of a better word.
For me socialism is about individuals within communities working together to better humanity. The family unit being the smallest community.
People that call themselves socialists today have no intrest in furthering humanity. Socialism is now about eltist groups trying to set up there own little fiefdoms. Destruction of the family unit is a big part of so-called socialists today.
I've seen the Herbal Essence comercials. I don't put a lot of thought into them it's just another company trying to use sex to sell the product.
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"I'd be intrested in that link Dan. I consider myself a socialist for lack of a better word."
Okay: http://home.iprimus.com.au/korob/Orwell.html
This link is pretty good. I admire Orwell's objective views. Amazing man.
"I've seen the Herbal Essence comercials. I don't put a lot of thought into them it's just another company trying to use sex to sell the product."
Ya, I see what you are saying. But the point Im trying to make is that the man is being depicted as useless and the sex that they are selling is more like 'masturbation'. Hopefully Im wrong. But, when there is a very few amounts of groups in control of the media and they can decide what goes on and what doesn't I have begun to wonder if the themes are "universal" for a reason.
The bells of Pavlov's Feminists are ringing.
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Thank you for that link! I believed that I may be the only socialist that thinks this way and here comes a man from the 30's who has beliefs that are almost identical to mine. I've read his books and watched the movies of his books but never bothered to find out about his life.
"the point Im trying to make is that the man is being depicted as useless...But, when there is a very few amounts of groups in control of the media and they can decide what goes on and what doesn't I have begun to wonder if the themes are "universal" for a reason."
I can't argue with that. The depiction of men as useless in the media has been going on for a long time. Either useless especially in sexual and family matters or only useful as protectors and slaves to women.
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Yes, we have an Orwellian Society in many respects. Males, justifiably, because they have failed to organize and effectively combat female elitism, have become second class citizens. Artistotle was not kind, in his philosophical writings, to those who refused to defend their rights and liberties. He basically stated that those groups that did not have the moral and physical courage to defend the same did not deserve the rights and liberties of those that did.
The following quote from William Shakespear's play, "Julius Caesar", is pertinent:
"CASSIUS. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep aboutTo find ourselves dishonorable graves.Men at some time are masters of their fates:The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves that we are underlings."
C.V. Compton Shaw
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Dan, have you read A Brave New World another good book along the lines of Animal Farm and 1984. When I was a kid Animal Farm was required reading in school I wonder if it still is.
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Im not sure about it being required reading. I found it very difficult to get the dvd 1984 around here. But the library had Animal Farm. 'A Brave New World' was recommended to me by 'Ragtime' who posts here. Along with a few others. For many I realize that this is old news. But, what my plan is, is to build a common ground language that we can discuss the similarities of Orwell's work and I guess others so that we all have common images to deal with and understand.
I personally am astonished at the similarities to the 10th degree. Orwell really new his stuff. Feminists are totaltarian. And it shows a great deal of other instances of what down trodden society. Orwell smacks at Capitalism as well.
My personal beliefs at this time are of 'free market' values. But monopolies and communism can often be exactly alike. I would think.
The bells of Pavlov's Feminists are ringing.
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by Anonymous User on Sunday May 11, @02:41AM EST (#6)
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I know that when I was in my senior year of high school, at least "1984" was required reading. it's been a while since I've read it, but like Dan, I've also noticed some striking similarities between "1984" and feminism. For example, the newspeak, as mentioned, is really reflective of the political correctness. Or doublespeak, for example, "this is porn but this is erotica."
Sean #2
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" For example, the newspeak, as mentioned, is really reflective of the political correctness. Or doublespeak, for example, "this is porn but this is erotica." "
Or that when women victimize its because they are victims. There is so much I can hardly list it all.
The bells of Pavlov's Feminists are ringing.
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When I was in high school (mid 90s) we read Brave New World and Animal Farm. My class didn't read 1984 but some other classes did. I read it on my own. Brave New World was my favorite by far - it got across the message without focusing on filth and grime and without being so goddamned depressing.
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I will have to read it. I wonder if its online somewhere.
The bells of Pavlov's Feminists are ringing.
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My brother read 1984, said it was slow but good. The Giver is another good 'un about communism run amock,and a lot shorter. I suppose I need to ransack the library, once I get done with the books I have now.
How did you NOT find Brave New World depressing? I cried through half the book [weak female nerves, I suppose]. And I was told to read it by someone who had to for school - I didn't have any required reading.
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