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D*** W******i Mrs. Davis AP English 6 Due Date: November 16th, 2007 1984 Alex Ebert, a product of the 21st century, stands on a stage in a night club with his band, Ima Robot, behind him. He starts singing flamboyantly and contorting his body to the music. “Every time they bomb a baby I go insane, breathe it off but don’t feel the pain,” Ebert tells his audience. By analyzing the lyrics of Ebert one can see the similarities between him and George Orwell. Orwell’s timeless false utopian novel, 1984, describes a world in the future controlled by contradictions. Cool Cool Universe, Ima Robot’s song, parallels Orwell’s nightmarish society by connecting it to present day America. Through song and literature, Ebert and Orwell connect to inform society and the world of the dangers of totalitarianism, what a freedom less society feels like, and the internal struggles in the hearts and minds of the people being manipulated by their contradictory and ironic government. “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER, DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER.” (Orwell, 19) Winston, the protagonist, and in some ways the antagonist to himself, of 1984, writes these bold faced words with much angst and hatred in a concealed journal. Winston is upset with his current government because he believes that the party is too controlling of human life. Winston has become sick of the party and the government that he doesn’t care if he gets caught or killed, hence the writing in the journal. The totalitarian government setup in 1984 controls many aspects of its citizens by close surveillance. Winston feels that he has no say or opinion; he questions the authority of his government and why they are in charge. “I understand HOW: I do not understand WHY.” (Orwell, 68) Winston is obviously angry that his government doesn’t represent his ideals or personality. “Every time they tell me to vote I lose my hope. You could represent me? Now that’s a joke.” (Cool) Here Ebert is essentially describing how he too is upset with his government; the United States government. He explains how even if he votes, he cannot change the large masses of people who are willing to put up with a broken regime. Ebert then goes on to argue that no politician can represent himself. He’s trying to make a point that no politician or government can really represent everyone, only those who vote for the certain regime. Like Winston, Ebert is dissatisfied with his government and the way it isn’t representing him or people who think like him. Ebert is asking why, just like Winston. He is asking why his government won’t represent him personally and allow him to have his own personal freedom. “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.” (Orwell, 69) Freedom, the want and desire of both Winston and Alex Ebert. When Winston starts to read Goldstein’s book he becomes enthralled by the idea of freedom and liberty. He wants to become part of the brotherhood and start a rebellion against the party and Big Brother. Winston blames the party for his lack of emotions so he starts to feel doubt and hate towards them. He focuses all his problems at them. He makes love to Julia because he loves her physically, but he also loves her mentally. He loves the idea of knocking down Big Brother and sticking it to the man. By making love to Julia he is gaining a tiny piece of freedom. “Poetry, beauty, desperation of love. I’m talkin’ ‘bout romance, slow dance, can’t get enough.” (Cool) Ebert wants the same thing in life; human emotion and love. It is emotions and love which cause people to feel free and alive. Ebert names things that give him inspiration and fill his heart with meaning. Slow dances and poetry are emotional things. Just like Winston, Ebert is looking for the freedom in these things. “The aim of the High is to remain where they are.” (Orwell, 166) Goldstein’s book discusses at length the contradictory and enslaving government of the party and Big Brother. The oppressive mannerisms of the government force people like Winston into becoming a disgruntled proletariat. “The proletarians will never revolt, not in a thousand years or a million.” (Orwell, 216) The thought of an oppressive government lasting forever is a frightful one. It is no wonder why Winston feels hatred inside himself and toward his government. They tell him contradictory information but he believes it out of fear. What can one man do against such a powerful force? Nothing. “Start rootin’ for some shootin’ No solution for what’s broke.” (Cool) Alex Ebert can relate to Winston in that he wants a revolution, he wants his government to be reasonable and not oppressive. He refers to the government as being broke and having no solution. He realizes that as one man he cannot do anything which starts a conflict in his heart. Only with numbers can a government be taken down, hence the line asking for shooting and revolt. Without other activists an anarchist proletariat has no power, no hope, and no chance at accomplishing his goal. Eventually the lack of hope takes its toll on the rebels. Without hope they have no motivation, like Winston in the end; he conforms with the party and accepts his fate. Winston downs his gin as he hear news of a great victory at the end. He sits with a feeling of pure love for the party and Brother hood and prays for the bullet to come. Works Cited “Cool Cool Universe Lyrics.” Ima Robot. 15 November. 2007 <http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Cool-Cool-Universe-lyrics-Ima- Robot/9602D9AA765173B4482571F90028DEA0> Orwell, George. 1984 Ney York: the Penguin Group, Penguin Books, 1949. |