Mod A Practice Intros

By comparing the content and perspectives in a pair of texts, the

responder comes to appreciate the effects of context, purpose
and audience on the shaping of meaning. How has your
comparative study of Metropolis and 1984 shown this statement
to be true?
Texts embody the values, attitudes and perspectives of their respective
contexts, often to address issues prevalent in society. Fritz Langs
expressionist 1927 film Metropolis uses cautionary powers to warn
contemporary audiences of the dangers Weimar Germanys capitalist
mentality and the subsequent social stratification as a result of using
technology for materialistic gain. The science fiction content of his film
portrays the negative implications of such perspectives and suggests a
reconciliation between classes as a solution to the problems of his
context. George Orwells social satire (1949) 1984 also shares a similar
cautionary purpose, where his chillingly pessimistic prediction
extrapolates from contemporary trends of the mid-20th century Europe to
warn the contextual audience against the dehumanizing consequences of
a totalitarian regime. Where Metropolis addresses the materialistic
perspective of technology, 1984 instead addresses the perspectives of
power within the totalitarian regimes of Stalin and Hitler.

How would you compare the ideas, values and attitudes reflected
in Metropolis and 1984?
Texts reflect and challenge the ideas, values and attitudes of their context.
A comparison of the thematic focus of two texts that address similar ideas
allows an understanding of the similarities and differences of the ideas,
values and attitudes that define the ethos of the respective periods.
Langs 1927 film Metropolis criticizes the materialistic values of a
capitalist Weimar Germany society, leading to the exploitation of the
underclass and social stratification. Lang cautions against the perception
of technology as a gateway to wealth, instead advocating for a
reconciliation between classes that would allow for human progress.
George Orwells 1949 novel 1984 extrapolates from contemporary trends
of the mid-20th century Europe to present a chillingly pessimistic
prediction of totalitarian regime that views power as the tool for control. A
comparison of these perspectives reveals the similar humanistic attitudes
of Lang and Orwell. However, while Metropolis offers a optimistic solution,
1984 instead conveys no hope for progress, portraying how the
totalitarian attitudes present in Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany
destroys humanity.

How do the differing social, cultural and historical contexts of

your two texts influence the ideas, values and attitudes conveyed
in each text?
Fritz Langs 1927 film Metropolis addresses issues prevalent in the 1920s
Weimar Germany, serving as a cautionary warning against the
materialistic values of a capitalist society and the idea of technology as a
gateway to wealth. Langs optimistic attitude is reflected through his
portrayal of reconciliation between classes as a solution to the social
stratification that stemmed from the exploitation of workers in Weimar
Germany. George Orwells 1949 novel 1984 extrapolates from trends
within Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany during mid-20th century to
present a chillingly pessimistic prediction to caution against totalitarian
regimes value of power as both a means and an end. 1984s pessimistic
attitude is reflected through the futility of Winstons rebellion, establishing
the idea that power crushes humanity. A comparative study of the texts
reveal how differing contexts influence the different ideas, values and
attitudes conveyed in each text.
In what ways do the connections of your two texts deepen your
understanding of human relationships?
Fritz Langs 1927 film Metropolis cautions against the abuse of technology
as a means of exploiting the under class in a capitalist society. Lang
explores the Weimar fascination with technology as a gateway to wealth,
which ultimately leads to the dehumanization of the lower working
classes, expressing the need for humanitarian values. Similarly, Orwells
1949 novel, 1984, reveals the negative implications associated with the
abuse of technology in a totalitarian regime, including the dehumanization
of society and the disregard for humanitarian values. Although Lang
advocates for reconciliation between socially-divided classes as an
optimistic alternative and Orwells pessimistic view demonstrates the
crushing omnipotent power of totalitarian regimes, the connections of the
two texts explore various human relationships that reflecting the values of
their respective contexts.

Despite the time difference between the texts, both 1984 and
Metropolis examine similar perspectives. How does a comparison
of these texts highlight the similarities and differences that are
present?
Fritz Langs 1927 film Metropolis cautions against the abuse of technology
that allows the wealthy elite exploit the working under class within a
capitalist society. Lang criticizes Weimar Germanys fascination with
technology as a gateway to wealth which leads to the dehumanization the
lower class and a disregard for humanistic morals. Similarly, George
Orwells 1949 novel 1984 extrapolates from contemporary socio-cultural
trends of the mid-20th century Europe to present a chillingly pessimistic
prediction, where the human ambition for power in a totalitarian regime
leads to the dehumanization and oppression of the masses. Despite
differing time periods, Metropolis and 1984 both address issues regarding
the need for humanitarian values. However, Lang advocates for a positive
alternative, where a reconciliation between social-divided classes allows
for true progress, whereas Orwell shows no such optimism, instead
demonstrating how the omnipotent power of totalitarian regimes crushes
all rebellion and prevents true progress.
Uncomfortable representations of the capacity for human cruelty
in both Fritz Lang's Metropolis and George Orwell's 1984 provoke
a consideration of a composer's context. How has this become
clear in your comparative study?
Fritz Langs 1927 film Metropolis explores humanitys capacity for cruelty
through the abuse of technology in the pursuit of profit, reflecting on the
capitalist mentality of a socially divided Weimar Germany. Langs
representation becomes uncomfortable as it reveals how humanity is
sacrificed to the materialistic gain of an oligarchy, however he offers a
solution to such cruelty through reconciliation between classes that
provides hope for humanity. George Orwells 1949 novel 1984 mirrors
socio-political trends of the mid-20th century Stalinist Russia and Nazi
Germany to explore the capacity for human cruelty in totalitarian regimes
that value power as the both means and ends. 1984s representation
becomes frighteningly uncomfortable because in its chilling pessimism, it
recognizes the extinguishing of all human hope in a dystopian society,
hence cautioning the contemporary audience against the dangers of
totalitarian regimes that were present in the mid-20th century Europe.