Compare and contrast major elements in Brave New World and 1984 “Power is of two kinds. One is achieved through fear of punishment and the other through acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent than that resulting from fear of punishment” -Mahatma Gandhi. In this quote Gandhi discusses several elements of how power is maintained in a society. Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World shows a futuristic society controlled through pleasure, while George Orwell's 1984 shows the other side of the spectrum where power is strictly enforced by fear. Brave New World and 1984 are two very influential dystopian novels that have similar ideas and have earned their place as classics in the world. He who controls the present controls the past” (George Orwell 35). This quote resonated strongly with me and is a disturbing thought. It's about discussing how everything we know about the past can be shaped and changed by today's authority. In 1984, Winston Smith works at the Ministry of Truth where he rewrites articles and documents to fit the events of the time. The inner party constantly changes the past and creates false stories as a form of propaganda. Without access to the past, people have no way to challenge the government's hypocritical statements and would be too afraid to do so even if they could. The alteration of the past is also present in Brave New World as their society never discusses or cares about the past. Any literature or information about the past is not permitted and is strictly prohibited by the government. This causes people to take everything the government says as truth and not even think to question it. 1984 is full of interesting ideas showcased in an amazing story, so I believe it will always have its deserved place in literature. Brave New World may not have as interesting a story as 1984, but I think the ideas of Brave New World are more thought-provoking and provide a more relevant take on modern society. I feel like we should spend more time avoiding becoming Huxley's nightmares instead of fearing the less likely and oppressive government that Orwell warned us about