Transformation in 1984 and Fahrenheit 451

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In addition, both novels portray a mentor who encourages the main characters to either go against their own principles or pursue them. Although, Winston initially believes that O’Brien maintains the same opinions as him regarding Big Brother, he eventually realizes that O’Brien misled him. He hears in a dream, “We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness” (Orwell 27) where he believes O’Brien is joining him to rebel against Big Brother. Meanwhile, O’Brien is a member of the Party who is trying to influence him. Interestingly, we observe Winston at the onset of the book believing in the Brotherhood and wanting to rebel against the Party and later on he says, “But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was

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finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” (Orwell 311). In contrast, Montags mentor Faber instils the same values as him. He encourages him to save the books instead of burning them since the books have importance in his eyes. He tells Montag, “Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores” (Bradbury 83). Unlike O’Brien who changes Winston’s perception of the Party, Faber strengthens Montag’s view on books and protects him from being caught after he kills Beatty who was trying to destroy them. Thus, we notice mentors can either manipulate a person to change their beliefs or they may strengthen them. Winston and Montag are both easily influenced by a third party and consequently demonstrate that their thoughts became clearer because of their mentors as they came to the realization that their lives felt empty.

It is clearly evident that when we observe societies where governments oppress their people from having any freedom or will to think, we will notice that some may rebel from the values instilled by them. Governments may think they have control over all their people, but controlling society is not ideal since it could lead to acts of rebellion. Thereby, in both novels, in a utopian society where a government tries to influence everyone’s beliefs, we can see that women and mentors have the ability to generate a rebellion and change ones perception on life by creating a peaceful outlook. It is interesting to observe that men who have strong

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beliefs are influenced by women’s sexuality and knowledge and become inspired by their mentors to change the way they feel about their life.

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Work Cited

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Ballantine Books, 1953. Print.

Orwell, George. 1984. Ed. Erich Fromm. New York: Harcourt, 1949. Print.