1984-v-1984

Fashion

Orwell's 1984: The only choice of clothing for adults was overalls, similar to those worn by blue collar workers.  There was no uniqueness, and everyone was made to feel at just a part of society, nothing more.

 

1984: There was a lot more color involved in the day to the day outfit. People also started to dress to feel more powerful, and one of a kind.

Lifestyle

Orwell's 1984: Citizens lived in constant fear of being turned into the thought police and being vaporized.  There was nothing too work towards, except staying on the good side of the party.  The family unit in the traditional sense was destroyed, with parents fearing what there children could do to them.  Food was bland, and clothes were scarce, but you always had to appear as if you were content.

1984: 1984 was known as the "year of the yuppie." Yuppie being defined as the young urban profession consumptive in their pursuit of the American dream.  This was a time when the baby boomers were starting to enter the work force or climbing the professional ladder.  They were obsessed with status, and put off having children so that they could pursue there career goals.  By the end of the Decade yuppie carried a negative connotation.

Leaders

Orwell's 1984: Big Brother was the face of the party and he was always "watching you."  He struck fear into the hearts of the citizens.  He existed inside there minds, and would never die, or be replaced.  But the real power was held by the party as a whole. 

 

1984: Ronald Reagan was the much loved president of the Unites States in 1984.  He had a 58% approval rate, which was higher then the three previous presidents.  He is credited with restoring trust in the presidency. He was reelected for a second term with 59% of the vote.

 

The Courts

Orwell's 1984: If you were caught by the thought police, no matter what crime you committed, or if you committed one at all, you confessed.  After they had control of your mind and after your confession, they would eventually kill you.  It was tradition they always shot you in the back of the head, and when it wasn't expected.

1984:  The supreme court ruled in the 1984 case Ohio vs. Johnson to prohibit the excessive use of guilty pleas for protection.  This reduced the number of guilty pleas in the U.S.  The most common way to carry out the death sentence was electrocution, with 21 people being put to death that year.

Technology

Orwell's 1984: The only outlet for those interested in technology was war materials.  They were always looking for the next best thing to use on there opponents, either eurasia or eastasia.  Basically all other forms of technology digressed.

1984: This year had many technological advancements. The first Apple Macintosh was produced, CD players were made commercial, and the space shuttle discover had it's maiden voyage. Under our market system people are encouraged to discover new and diverse things