Comparison-contrast essay. Evseeva Evgenia.

When we think about our future, we begin to understand that the development of technologically civilized society does not promise anything good. Technological advance, depletion of energy resources, and the rapid penetration of different media images into our lives have far-reaching negative consequences than we could ever imagine. Movies "Total Recall "and "Fahrenheit 451" offers insights into the prediction on life on earth in a few decades in the future through the eyes of two men, who at first glance look like law-abiding citizens, but later turn into people who overthrew the existing system.

Both characters seem to have everything they need to be happy: beautiful wife, well-paid job, peace and security. All this is provided to them by the state, which supposedly does everything for the benefit of its citizens. However, Doug and Montag realize that they do not live their own lives, they rather spend their life, not enjoy it. Doug, on the way to work through the center of the Earth says to his friend: “Have you thought about the fact that we always sit in the same place for years. We are doing the same thing day after day, year after year, and ask no questions. I want to do something significant.” And then a friend responds that they are constructing synthetic police, which is very important work. Doug and Montag are working for the state; they build the security of the citizens of the states in which they live. But is this a true security? Perhaps, this is just an illusion; it is simply a guarantee of obedience to the order, prevention of opposition. The main emphasis in both films is made on memories issue, namely the lack of pleasant memories of life because of the lifestyle that people lead. Montag asked his wife: Do you remember where have we met? And when? When we first met?” And his wife responds: “I do not know. Let me think. No, I do not remember.” Having spent his whole life in front of the TV as a vegetable without thinking about the essence of their lives, they even do not even remember the important events in their biography. In the movie “Total Recall” people are trying to forget about the monotony of their life, turning to the services of the company «Recall», which provides bright false memories for a few weeks. In both movies heroes lead a rebellion against the authorities and the existing order. The both men meet other women, who differ from someone who are meant to be their wives, as these women are natural; they adhere to their new views and support them on the contrary to their spouses.

Despite the common idea brought up in the movies, the main story line is not similar. As we see, Dag has a dark past of a life as a secret agent; his wife and real life are fake, and his memories are stolen by the government groups. Montag, on the contrary, has no dark spots in his biography. The moment which has lead the two men to the idea of changing their lives also differ. Montag is influenced by the external factor (the death of the women and the conversation with the girl named Klariss), while Dag has internal cause of his non typical behavior (day by day he sees the same dream about agents chasing him).

So when considering the future destiny of our humanity and the role of the rebels in them, the movies "Total Recall "and "Fahrenheit 451" are the perfect one to spend time watching. However, if you wish to concentrate more on the idea of the mentioned societies itself and not on the dynamic life of the main character than it is advisable to prefer to "Fahrenheit 451"rather than "Total Recall " and vice versa.