AOT vs 1984

 *MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ATTACK ON TITAN DO NOT READ IF YOU PLAN ON WATCHING*


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In Attack on Titan's most recent season, we get a look into the relationship between Marley, their interned Eldians, and the Eldians on Paradis Island. The interned Eldians are conditioned to believe the Eldians on Paradis Island are devils, they believe they are savages and consider themselves the "good Eldians" in comparison. One character in particular, Gabi, hopes to prove to the Marley that the interned Eldians are "the good Eldians"  through killing the Eldians on Paradis Island. 

I feel like this internalised hatred is mirrored in the Two minutes Hate. Where the Marley put into the minds of the interned Eldians hatred of the Paradis Island Eldians, and uses it to uphold their military might and hold over the Interned Eldians, The Party uses the hatred of Goldstein and whatever country they're at war against to unite their people for a common cause. They both utilize hatred of others to keep order in their nation for their own causes.

For anyone who has watched the most recent season, does this connection make sense? And if you haven't seen it, do you agree with my analysis of the use of the Two Minutes.

Comments

  1. L. MoffittFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:09 AM

    Creating a scapegoat is a time-honored method of uniting people in hate -- in books, anime, and life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MichaelFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:18 AM

    I haven't watched the recent AOT season, but it does make sense.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Grace JuhnFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:19 AM

    I think you made a very interesting connection between these two worlds. In AOT as well as 1984, I agree that the hate against a certain group fuels the relationship between people and the motivation behind what they work for every single day. In 1984, some of Winston's acquaintances literally seem to have no other purpose in life other than to hate Goldstein and praise Big Brother. Likewise, many people including children in AOT, have no other dream than to win against the "Island Demons" and prove to other Marleyans that they are the worthy Eldians.

    ReplyDelete
  4. KiranFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:21 AM

    Definitely. Using one figure as a target, or villain really brings people together. We can see this in World War 2 with Hitler, and even more recently with Osama bin Laden. When people have a common goal or hatred, they feel closer with each other, and with their government, as long as the government is fighting that villain.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KeshavFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:27 AM

    I definitely agree that using one figure as a target can help unify populations. Throughout 1984, traditions like the Two Minutes Hate attempt to do this in the same way, and there's definitely a lot of social psychology involved in determining how people respond.

    ReplyDelete
  6. RayFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:30 AM

    Yeah a common enemy can be a strong bonding point. Also Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia /s

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Daniel MatatovFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:31 AM

      lol ig i dont wanna get caught doing a thoughtcrime so yes you right i typoed

      Delete
    2. Prithika RaviFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:40 AM

      I definitely agree that the Two Minutes Hate is just a way of solidifying and drilling loyalty into people-- it not only shows them that the party is good, but it goes the other way and shows that not supporting the party is bad.

      Delete
    3. AnyaFebruary 11, 2021 at 7:48 AM

      The tactics used by the government in 1984 to rile people up against a common enemy are highly reminiscent of tactics employed by the Nazi Party in WWII. Based on how many times these tactics have been depicted in fiction, they are obviously very effective. People like being able to place all the blame on one person or entity— it's just easier that way. The government in 1984 clearly took advantage of this aspect human nature in order to maintain their regime.

      Delete

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