Beginning this comparative document I shall briefly explain the novel (1984 by George

Orwell) and the film (the hunger games) before comparing them to find similarities and
differences between the two works.

Reading the book 1984, It’s noticed that the setting is a dystopian future in 1984 (written
1949) starring the main character Winston Smith, where in the book we are introduced to the
society he lives in and how it is operated. The reader gets a look into the state of affairs in the
world which there is a conflict between parties namely called Oceania (where 1984 is taking
place) Eastasia or Eurasia. The book gives us insight to how the government is in control in
of the people of Oceania. The government called Big Brother is control of the people by
using survillance and makes sure the whole population is loyal to it’s government. Having
thoughts that does not agree with Big Brother is seen as betrayal, even love is seen as
something useless and should be avoided to not awake thougts that oppose the government.
But in the story 1984 does the reader notice that the protagonist Winston Smith is not happy
with the state of affairs to a point that finds a secluded place in his home where he can’t be
watched by the government, in his secluded area we see that he enjoys it by writing in a diary.

The diary contains mostly his thoughts about his days, but
eventually he meets a woman that awakes something inside Winston. He gets to know the
woman called Julia. Their relationship leads to them trying to oppose the government
togehter. They do it by joining an organisation called The Brotherhood. In the end the leader
that recruited them both turned out to be a spy that’s working for Big Brother to catch traitors.
Both Winston and Julia are caught and the reader witnesses Winstons torture where he is
forced to believe concepts that doesn’t make sense until he is brainwashed. When he is freed
from his torture the reader sees a Winston that is loyal to the Government.

Watching The Hunger Games I realized how horrible and cruel it’s concept was, the purpose
of the Hunger Games are to provide entertainment for the Capital and to remind the
remaining districts of power that the Capitol holds, and to show it’s lack if remorse for a
failed rebellion that happened by the competitors ancenstors. Watchers are shown this world
through Katniss Everdeen a young girl born in the poorest district and fatherless. One day
when the Hunger Games are announced to take place, Katniss little sister is chosen. Katniss
immideatly exchanges places with her to save her sister from dangers of death. When shipped
and sent of to particapate including another person from her district, they eventually when the
games begin Katniss shows her skills and it leads to her eventual victory but not wanting to
kill the last person due to him being from the same district they both decide to die together to
also show opposion against the Capitol. Which of course angers them, but both are saved.
After experiencing a victory Katniss is given luxurious treatment is sent home where she is
given a mansion to live inside by herself. After awhile Katniss notices the corruption of the
Capitol and finally decides to stand against them. In long twist and turns and after many
events Katniss finally succeds in taking down the Capitol, which she finally abolishes the
horrible rule that the Capitol had against almost every district.

When comparing 1984 and the Hunger Games I noticed instantly that both dystopias hold an
oppresive government but the difference between the governments is pretty big. Big Brother
aims to controll the public by using mental and psychological means while the Capitol takes
action against it’s own population by forcing them to survive in harsh enviroments while
trying to kill eachother all for the entertainment of the Capitol. So a person could say that the
dystopias are horrible in their own ways. A government that forces to you to compete in a
“game” where your life is in danger, or a government that doesn’t allow you to think freely
and monitors your every move. So there is considerably differences between the two
dystopias but in a whole perspective, the governments are both oppressive.

In conclusion, both these stories are based on similar concepts but the authors decide to
interpret the word oppresion differently which is very interesting and could be proof that we
as humans don’t always agree on what is the worst or the best.

Abdullah Karkoukli Science fiction