Used to be Huxley, but Orwell is
gaining on him:
The two classic dystopian novels 1984 (1949) by George Orwell (1903–1950) and Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) have often prompted comparison, both to each other and to the real-life conditions of today.
At different times readers have regarded one novel or the other as the more prescient.
Given the accelerating pace of social change, it might be good to revisit the question yet again and seek to determine how well each dystopia predicted the future in various ways.
…
Similarly, both dystopias banish religion, and certainly we see today the slow but sure retreat of religion from public and even private spheres, assisted by government policy and court rulings.
This development should not be a surprise. Traditional religion is mediated through human relationships. Jews call themselves the children of Abraham; Christians call God our Father. When the only critical relationship is between the state and the individual, either the state is God or there is no God.
More.
4 comments:
An interesting post, Denyse. Thanks. Your comparative reviews of 1984 and BNW are enlightening. It seems that these writings and the elements of their projections that have been fulfilled or are coming into play in our day show the kind of world that humans, if left to themselves, will inevitably create. A world without principled love, mercy and and grace, is an extremely dark one. ~~+~~
These thoughts leave me calling out for the light of Jesus to shine in today`s world.
Thanks David. I realized when I read your comment that I'd concluded mine on a down and dark note. I'm so glad you've elevated the conversation to the hope and light of our Lord Jesus.~~+~~
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