While there are many differences between fiction and non-fiction titles, when comparing George Orwell’s 1984 to Patricia McCormick’s The Plot to Kill Hitler, many similarities emerge along with differences.
The setting in 1984 consists of a political system that is authoritarian, oppressive, and ruthless in nature. It is post-revolutionary Britain, now called Oceania after the Socialist revolution, in the year 1984. Physically the state is scarred from war and revolution, buildings destroyed, rubble covering the streets, etc. Psychologically, however, the people vaguely remember there ever being a war. Almost everyone that was old enough to remember the revolution has either been killed by the Party or have died of old age. The leader of Oceania calls himself “Big Brother” who uses his inner and outer party to assert control over the populace. There is no hope or future for anyone in this state, their only purpose is to serve Big Brother and The Party. The Socialist Party of Oceania hopes to destroy human nature, in other words, destroy things like free thought; love, choice etc. The government in The Plot to Kill Hitler is quite similar in regards to the authoritarian rule, oppressive nature, and brutality that The Party uses in 1984. The Plot to Kill Hitler takes place in Germany from when Adolf Hitler took control of Germany in 1933 until shortly before the war’s end in 1945. The government in The Plot to Kill Hitler is a police state which seeks to assert “superior” Aryan dominance over the other “lesser” races, meaning enslavement and genocide. The ruling Nazi Party’s ultimate goal is world domination and they will do anything deemed necessary to achieve this goal. Free will, freedom of speech, freedom of press, religion, education, and even the truth are all oppressed or entirely abolished, exactly like in 1984. Although the government in 1984 is Socialist and the government in The Plot to Kill Hitler is Fascist, the only difference in their goals is that Big Brother and The Party of 1984 have no interest in racial superiority or genocide. Despite these differences, global domination, and unchallenged power are on both government’s agendas, and both governments will do anything to achieve these goals.
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In 1984 the protagonist, Winston Smith, is a very intelligent man who is the strong silent type of person. He works very hard, even though he feels it is pointless. He yearns for freedom and imagines a future free of oppression. He is an ordinary man, yet he finds the strength to try and make his circumstances better. Winston has individuality and undying self-determination which shows how strong his character is. He embodies the values of any civilized society: freedom, democracy, peace, and love. The protagonist of The Plot to Kill Hitler is a man named Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is down to Earth with strong ideas about right and wrong. He is orderly, systematic and strong willed. Once he is committed to something he employs decisive and methodical steps to achieve his goals, and he will not give up easily. Justice and honesty are extremely important to Dietrich. Although he is not not a typical idealist, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is willing to work for a better world in a realistic and practical way.
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