Comparitive Literature 1984 and Brave new world

        The way the teacher figures reeducate their targets is similar too in both books. However, in 1984, this is done intentionally while in Brave New World, it is almost a last resort in an attempt to save the lesser characters. In 1984, O’Brien lures Winston and Julia into false belief that O’Brien was part of the Resistance. He also gives them a copy of what is supposedly Goldstein’s book about the ideals before the Oceania state. “I will lend you a copy of Goldstein's book...from which you will learn the true strategy by which we shall destroy the society we live in. Full members of the Brotherhood have read the book. There are not many in existence, as you can imagine. The book is indestructible. If the last copy were gone, we could reproduce it almost word for word. You will return it in fourteen days.” (Orwell Chapter 9 -10) This is very similar to Mustapha Mond telling Bernard to bring back John the Savage from the reservation, as Bernard was always a misfit in the World State society, and John the Savage was a perfect example of what the World State society seeks to abolish.

        After the characters the teacher figure seeks to educate are given the opportunity to explore an ideological rebellion within their society, they are soon reeled in from their newfound freedom. In 1984, Winston and Julia’s freedom was taken away when they realized there was in fact a telescreen in their supposedly safe room. The thought police arrived and destroyed the little refuge they created for themselves under the pretense that they could actually live differently in their dystopic world. “The head of a ladder had been thrust through the window and had burst in the frame. Someone was climbing through the window. There was a stampede of boots up the stairs. The room was full of solid men in black uniforms, with iron-shod boots on their feet and truncheons in their hands” (Orwell 222)  Bernard on the other hand, realized that despite being a misfit, he would never completely understand John the Savage and instead embraced his new celebrity status, almost reintegrating with society. This backfires when John the Savage fails to integrate as well, and eventually lands himself, Bernard as well as Helmholtz in trouble with the World State society. “Very nearly whats going to happen to you young men. I was on the point of being sent to an island” (Huxley 226)

        When freedom has been given and taken away, that is when the real reeducation started. This is represented in 1984 through Room 101, the embodiment of rehabilitating citizens to the Oceania society. “ In Brave New World, this is not a deliberate step to reeducate Bernard, Helmholtz and John the Savage, but a coincidence meeting when they are taken to Mustapha Mond. Mustapha sheds light on many fundamental values the World State society is created upon, while debating with them regarding whether or not all of this is worth the consequences. This reeducation is done so as the citizens receiving the teaching are either brainwashed to join together into society, or determined unfit and separated from society. Winston and Julia are great examples of successful integrations back into society as they discovered their love for society once more after their reeducation. Bernard and Helmholtz are not so lucky in their reeducation as they chose to be exiled instead of returning to society. John the Savage managed to integrate for a brief time when he participated in the orgy, but soon after realized what he had done and because of his retained humanity, committed suicide in penance.

        The defining characteristics of teacher figures include their status, their mentalities toward their dystopic societies, as well as their methods in rehabilitating others into society. The similarities in 1984 and Brave New World are unmistakable and easy to draw connections from. O’Brien and Mustapha are both teacher figures, but they also have differences in their role in context. O’Brien actively went ahead to reeducate Winston and Julia, while Mustapha ended up with the teacher figures role of reeducating others in the way of the World State society. Despite this, it is clear to see the defining characteristics of the teacher figures in a dystopic society. They are vital characters pertaining to the plot of the story and an irreplaceable source of understanding to the nature of the dystopias they serve.