How does a comparative study highlight the relationship between ideas

explored in the texts and their contexts?

ThroughBy drawing connections between texts from erasdifferent contexts,
wereaders are able to understand the influence of these contexts on societys
ideas and values. come to heightened understandings of the ideas and values
explored. Both Cold War texts, Ray Bradburys 1951 short story The
Pedestrian and Kurt Vonneguts 1962 short story Harrison Bergeron reflect
contextual anxieties regarding authoritarian controls that inhibit personal growth.
Composed almost 50 years later, Kurt Wimmers science fiction film
Equilibrium reflects more contemporary fears of technological advancements
that restrict human identity and freedom. Ultimately, all three texts
communicate the dehumanising consequences of absolute power and control.
The Pedestrian reflects its context by exploringes the loss of human
connection that results from an over-reliance of technology. Composed in the
1950s Bradburys text reflects growing contextual concerns ofregarding
technologys influencethe influence of technology on the growth of suburban
America in the post-World War 2 era. As foreshadowed by the title, The
Pedestrian portrays a futuristic world where the simple act of walking has
become a subversive act of rebellion, one which the protagonist Leonard Mead
uses to maintain his humanity in a conformist world. where technology enforces
conformity. The deathly imagery in grey phantoms and tomb-like buildings
immediately connotes a mysterious atmosphere , portraying a spiritually empty
society which reflects contextual fears regarding technology consuming ability to
feel emotions.that parallels the eroding of human emotions. Bradburys portrayal
of a spiritually empty society depicts the stagnancy of human creativity as
technology has consumed their ability to express feelings. This notion is further
explored through the hyperbole in thousands of miles he had never met
another person walking which reveals the contextual dependence on technology
following the popularity of motor vehicles, resulting in an inability to enjoy simple
human acts and creating individuals disconnected from the world around them.
The landscape imagery used as Mead imagines himself upon the centre of a
plain, wintry, windless Arizona desert juxtaposes the tomblike houses ill-lit
by television of his technologically reliant society.technological aspects of his
society. Mead is symbolised asBy comparing Mead to a Hhawk flying freely
over Arizona, he is characterisinged him as a symbol of hope., forcing readers to
consider the contextual fear of technology consuming the ability to appreciate
nature.Despite being ostracised by a conformist society, Mead remains free of
technological control. This notion is further explored through the hyperbole in
thousands of miles he had never met another person walking which reveals
that a dependence on technology results in an inability to enjoy the human act of
walking, creating individuals disconnected from the world around them. Through
this, Bradbury warns readers that as individual identity vanishes, the existence of
the human experience is also threatened. Ultimately, it is through the ironic
ending where Mead is take to a Psychiatric Centre for Research on Regressive
Tendencies that Bradbury reinforces the tragic consequences of technological
dependencethe contextual fear of technology, specifically its suppressive nature
on society and the subsequent loss of human connection that results from this.

Similarly to Bradburys text, Wimmers science fiction film Equilibrium reflects

contextual anxieties regarding the ability of technological advancements to
oppress human emotions.explores the oppression of human emotion as a result
of technological advancements. Reflecting the early 21st century concerns
regarding the increased use of advanced innovationsuse of innovations such as
mobile phones and the internet, Wimmer warns viewers of the dehumanising
effects of modern technology. Equilibrium communicate the dystopian nature
of a Post-World War 3 society where the drug Proziumscience is used to
suppress human emotions., symbolised through the Prozium that citizens are
forced to take in the films post World War 3 world. The contrast of Fathers
voiceover seek out and eradicate the true source of mans inhumanity to man
with the introduction of the protagonist, John Preston. Prestons dark figure in a
back to the camera shotas he stands with his back to the camera reflects the
loss of individuality in a world where, like the antidepressant treatments of the
21st century, medical advancesProzium areis used to sedate the masses.
Contrastingly to Mead in The Pedestrian, Preston is a model citizen his
emotionless face and monotonous voice communicating his ability to suppress
emotions. Through the repetition in maximum kill maximum damage on the
maximum number of opponents, Wimmer highlights how emotion has been
stripped from the act of killing, thus reflecting the contextual villains of modern
television who shaped the fear of psychopath and antisocial behaviour. Prestons
society, like Meads, has become an emotionless state so devoid of human
connection that everything that makes us what we are faded away
Ultimately, Wimmers film Equilibrium reflects the loss of human
characteristics that results from the contextual fear of technological
advancements.
Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron is a prophetic warning against the
authoritarian regimes context that enforce absolute equality, thus restricting
freedom and identity. Published in 1962, the text is a satirical portrayalscathing
critique of Americas political system, specifically its egalitarian ideals. By taking
the principles behind the United States Declaration of Independence where all
men are created equal, Vonnegut creates a totalitarian society which uses
handicaps to erode personal identity and freedom. The voyeuristic voice used
to recount the imprisonment of above normal Harrison Bergeron as the H-G
men took Harrison away parallels the governments total control over its
citizens. Although Harrison has been stripped of his freedom, his society does not
recognize his suffering. Vonneguts characterisationes of Harrison as a genius
and an athlete who is ironically deemed dangerous illustrates the
governments need to limit individuality., but is regarded as extremely
dangerous for fear that he would overthrow the government. Through the
simileBy tearing tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper,
Harrison symbolically strips his totalitarian government of their control over him,
thus challenging the conformist ideas thrust upon him. However, The flaws of
Americas egalitarian ideas are revealed through Harrisons execution which
turns the concept of equality is turned into a futuristic nightmare when Diana
Moon Glampers, the handicapper general, fired twice, executing Harrison.
Harrison, like Mead, is punished for expressing freedom and as Diana, the
Handicapper General, loads the gun again, she symbolically flaunts her
superiority, forcing readers too consider the dominance of authoritarian
governments as they realise that like the accused communists of the McCarthy

era, those not conformed to societys accepted standards were persecuted.

anybody not conforming to societys accepted standards were persecuted.
Ultimately, Vonneguts depiction of a totalitarian government challenges the
contextual ideas of egalitarianism, providing audiences with a warning against
equality achieved through the sacrifice of identity and freedom.
The dangers of contextualtotalitarian governments that enforce absolute equality
at the disposal of human freedom is an idea that unites Wimmers film with
Vonneguts text. Composed after the September 11 terrorist attacks in America
when the government enforced more restrictive means of protecting its citizens,
Equilibrium exposes the contextual fear of safety and peace achieved through
the sacrifice of human freedom. Set in 192072, the citizens of the fictional city of
Liberia are subjected to propaganda broadcasted through the television,
resulting in a conformist society which ironically continues to battle The
Resistance despite war being a word whose meaning faded from our
understanding. Wimmer alludes to Nazi rule through the resemblance of
Liberias emblem to the Nazi Swastika, demonstrating that inhumane, unjust rule
can strip society of freedom and identity. Furthermore, the black and white
montage of Hitler commanding his troops parallels Fathers dominance over the
Liberians as he addresses a uniform sea of citizens and reflects Dianas reign in
Harrison Bergeron, both leaders who rule through fear and control. Thus,
Wimmer reflecting the contextual fear of total conformity that resulted from
government surveillance following the September 11 attacks. Furthermore, Tthe
low angle shot of the Mona Lisa before it is burnt highlights the inferiority of art
at the hands of an authoritarian government, one which suppresses societys
creative freedom.all human creativity and freedom. Furthermore, the black and
white montage of Hitler commanding his troops parallels Fathers dominance
over the Liberians as he addresses a uniform sea of citizens and reflects Dianas
fearful reign in Harrison Bergeron. Wimmer illustrates the conformity that
results from total control, thus reflecting the fear of government surveillance that
followed the September 11 attacks. Coupled with the resemblance of Liberias
emblem to the Nazi Swastika, Wimmer alludes to Nazi rule and demonstrates
that inhumane, unjust rule can strip society of freedom and identity.
Furthermore, the digetic sound of Prestons heartbeat as he use of a prominent
heartbeat as Preston wakes from a nightmare employs diegetic sound to
emphasises his newfound ability to feel human emotions, an act punishable by
death in the Liberian society. Ultimately, Prestons ability to spark a revolution
whilst Leonard and Harrison fail, contrasts the more hopeful 21 st century context
that followed human rights movements and gender equality with the pessimistic
and cynical Cold War era, thus conveying to readers that despite the constraints
forced upon society, human nature will triumph. Thus, Wimmers film explore
contextual concerns ofregarding oppressive governments that enforce
conformity and stifle creativity and freedom.
Although composed during different contexts, all three texts reflect contextual
fears concerning totalitarian control and technologys ability to suppress human
connection. Through an examination of technological advancements and its role
in suppressing individuality in The Pedestrian and the exploration of
authoritarian regimes present in Harrison Bergeron responders are forced to
realise the Cold War fear of a controlled, conformist society. Accompanied with an
analysis of scientific innovations in the 21st century context of Equilibrium,

readers are able to draw connections between the contexts and realise the
dehumanising effects of absolute power and control.