FLASHLIGHT READERS discussion

Hi guys, so I'm doing an English assignment right now and I have to compare two texts- my set text (Orwell's 1984) and another text. The topic I'm arguing is "Powerful people in society appear to have the right to determine an individual's worth." But I can't find a related text ANYWHERE!!! It needs to show this concept- and I had in mind a short story, but it can be anything from photos, music and movies to poetry, novels and short stories. Would love it if you had any recommendations!!! Thanks. :) :)

Idk if this helps, but The Handmaid’s Tale is a novel which describes a dystopian world where societal groups in power control and oppress individuals through taking away their individuality and regulating their behaviour. I’d say it shows how powerful people in society appear to determine an individual’s worth as there’s a class system where the worth of individuals is taken into account as they are ranked and given a status based on their gender and fertility. I’m sure there would also be other dystopian novels with similar ideas as well. Hope that helps and good luck with your assignment! :)

I think what you're looking for is a dystopia book where the government decides how "good" or "useful" a person is. I'd recommend The Selection (the government puts people in castes depending on their worth), Red Queen (reds vs silvers), The Handmaid's Tale (women are categorized into 'ranks' depending on how useful they are) and others. (Sorry, my brain isn't functioning rn XD) I'm sure there are other ways to go about it, but the way I see it, I think you're looking for a dystopia.

@Amelie That's exactly what I was thinking! 😂😂

human wrote: "@Amelie That's exactly what I was thinking! 😂😂"

Great minds think alike then 😂 😂

I AM looking for a dystopia- thanks for your suggestions! We studied The Handmaid's Tale in class earlier this year, so I don't think I'm allowed to use it, but I'll look into The Selection and Red Queen. :) :)

What are your favourite dystopian novels?

My favourite dystopian novels would probably be Red Queen, Girls With Sharp Sticks, Divergent, and The Selection :)

Thank you! :) :) Good choices, by the way! :)

No problem and good luck with your assignment! :)

Mine are probably The Lunar Chronicles, The Illuminae Files, Scythe, The Testing, and Skyward. Good luck!! :)

Thanks! Do any of you guys know of any short stories or short films that help prove my point?

”Being Pretty” is a short episode from the Autodale series, which shows a dystopian society where the worth of citizens is decided, and those who aren’t “pretty” are removed from society. I studied it in my English class not long ago, so it might help :)

Thanks! I think I've seen that! :)

Maybe George Orwell's other book, Animal Farm?? I know it's pretty lazy to pick one from the same author, but it seems to have some connections with the context!

Brave new world by aldous Huxley might work. Idk

Oh - maybe Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys. It has one very powerful quote: "Have you ever wondered how much a human life is worth? That morning, my brother's life was worth a pocket watch.''

Thanks so much for the support guys!! :) :) I've chosen to go with a short story, The Wall by Jean-Paul Sartre. If any of you guys have any suggestions on what quotes to use from it or have any ideas as to what themes I should use, that would be great. Thanks so much for the suggestions!!