»Food for thought«

In the book 1984 by George Orwell, the themes of human control are explored. It's set in the future and revolves around an artificial power known as Big Brother who watches our every move and uses Thought Police to monitor even what we think in order to control us. Part of Big Brother's plan is too blind us from the truth - that Big Brother is not real. Sound familiar?

So how does this tie into The Matrix?

We've all seen the multiple uses of the number 101 in matrix 1 & 2.

It is obviously meant to be an important consideration -

In 1984 the number 101 has extreme significance. It's the number of a room with a door behind which lies our greatest fear. A fear that by it's nature keeps us in check and therefore under control. People are terrifed of what lies behind the door to room 101. No one wants to see what's behind it.

Matrix 2 has doors all over the place as a major theme.

So there is a connection between 1984 and The Matrix. Both are set in a society controlled by something that isn't "real", both have use of the number 101, both have use doors significantly, and both have a protagonist that knows something is wrong and holds the key to overthrowing the system.

This has to be more than coincidence. What are you W brothers up to? Does george orwells 1984 hold the answers to The Matrix?

Orwell's 1984 is about the control of the state over its citizens. It also has philosophy in it. O'Brien's line "you do not exist" is a line that has long puzzled me. What he appears to mean by this is that in Oceania in 1984 nothing is seen as more important than the beliefs of the state and people are discouraged from thinking for themselves. People must follow the state beliefs and to fail to do so is the only crime. The individual is not allowed to exist.

In the matrix we are not allowed to see "the truth". We are expected to accept the false reality surrounding us. The matrix warriors break out of this and agents (thought police?) go to whatever means necessary to stop them. Unlike in the matrix, in Orwell's 1984 hope and love are entirely stamped out by the police state.

So if you like the matrix is an optimistic take on 1984. This the reason someone came up with Equilibrium which, while staying closer to the concept of the 1984 police state, has fight scenes, obvious philosophy and a happy ending.

At the beginning of chepter 7 (in "1984"), it says:
"If there is hope, wrote Winston, it lies in the proles."

Winston couldn't defeat the system because he was in the middle class. Orwell says that the book is based on the wrong-doings (english is not my primary language, norwegian is...) of mankind (fascism, nazi, Stalin, Napoleon, etc). But it's also a story based on Orwells life. He was - in his own words - a member of "the lower-upper middle class." So Winston is also a part of that.

Neo is a (modern) worker. He works at an office, but it's just for a company. He creates things (programs). He is a member of the proles.

Jesus was a member of the proles. Joseph was a lumberjack (don't know the right word in english...)

"If there is hope, wrote Winston, it lies in the proles."

I'm sorry, but someone who works in a software development company and wears a suit and can afford to have computer equpment like Neo has in their home is NOT a prole. The proletariat are the people stuck in small time jobs like factory workers or construction workers. The proles are the masses who perform the jobs which keep the country running. I'm not sure that Neo counts.

Neo is a proletariat but not because of his job in the matrix, but the real use of him in the matrix, as a battery.

Quote:

The proles are the masses who perform the jobs which keep the country running.

Im sure this applies to Neo as it does to all 'plugged in' humans. They definately keep the machines' 'country' running, as they power it.
The machines are the Bourgeoisie and the humans are the Proletariat.
Read my topic "For your consideration" and search "marx" for my views on this issue.

It sounds to me like the movie "They Live" is far closer to Marxism. Have you seen it. It's not great, but it is well worth a watch - it's a John Carpenter movie.

Fatpie42 wrote:

I'm sorry, but someone who works in a software development company and wears a suit and can afford to have computer equpment like Neo has in their home is NOT a prole. The proletariat are the people stuck in small time jobs like factory workers or construction workers. The proles are the masses who perform the jobs which keep the country running. I'm not sure that Neo counts.

well technically not

if your not an onwer(bourguasie?) your a worker(proletariat)

so you can be a relatively well off person...but your still being manipulated by an owner of a company and being paid less than your worth(this is how profits are made)

Sentinel101 wrote:

So there is a connection between 1984 and The Matrix... This has to be more than coincidence...

I agree wholeheartedly with this.

kringlebotten wrote:

Joseph was a lumberjack (don't know the right word in english...)

The word you want is "Carpenter"

A "Lumberjack" cuts down trees, A "Carpenter" carves objects out of wood. And just for completeness, a "Joiner" builds things with wood.

Most "English" speakers understand others may not know all the right words - we don't worry about things like this on here.

Your English is excellent - Much better than my Norwegian

the anomaly wrote:

Fatpie42 wrote: I'm sorry, but someone who works in a software development company... well technically not if your not an onwer(bourguasie?) your a worker(proletariat)

Nice catch Anomoly, we nearly lost Fatpie to the conditioning that time.