Society is, and always has been, at the mercy of its leaders. Though rebellions, riots, and revolutions have occurred throughout history, there is no denying the amount of control that is held by those in government positions. The thought of having intelligent, decisive, and respectable leaders at the head of societal responsibility has been, and should be, a comfort to basic citizens who have simply set out to live their lives. However, when circumstances change and become more dire, will those decisions made, in people’s “best interest,” always be best? The idea of nonconformity as a felony seems ridiculous in this day and age, but how close is the world to handing over even the simplest of freedoms in order to retain the comforts that society has become accustom to. What circumstances could force the world to take such a turn for the worst? Feelings such as fear and hopelessness demonstrate the possibilities of such circumstances. Although fictional, media works such as “Children of Men,” “V for Vendetta,” and “’Repent Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman,” a short story by Harlan Ellison, demonstrate how such societal qualities can lead to tyrannical submission.
Fear is a very powerful emotion. It can be, in fact, one of the most powerful emotions; pushing a man to do irresponsible, reckless, and even dangerous things. Harlan Ellison’s “’Repent Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” is a story that paints the picture of fear leading mankind into an abyss under the rule of one person whose character is strong than the rest. The ticktockman holds the power to control the lifespan of society based upon their punctuality throughout life. The fear this power instills in people to follow schedules is undeniable. “Somewhere nearby, he could hear the metronomic left-right-left of the 2:47 PM shift, entering the Timkin roller-bearing plant in their sneakers. A minute later, precisely, he heard the softer right-left-right of the 5:00 AM formation, going home,” (Ellison, 292). With the installation of fear in people’s hearts, society falls in line and conforms to the precise schedule set out for them. Another example, the film “V for Vendetta,” is a perfect example of a person’s use of fear in order to obtain leadership, control, and conformity from the population. With the skillful manipulation of a virus, leaked into the population then suddenly controlled with the promise of order and control, the people look to the leader (and in this case, the villain at the same time) as their hero and savior from an otherwise scary, unknown problem. As stated previously, these examples are merely fictional. Nevertheless, these stories exemplify, if not magnify, human nature under the presence of fear. This human condition is one of the characteristics that would will society to submit to any power to retain the possibility of order, stability, and safety in their lives; even if individuality may be the sacrifice.
The second theme that is noticeable is hopelessness. When people feel there is nothing left to fight with, or for, is another instance when they would hand over simple freedoms to regain comfort. The film “Children of Men” is a perfect example of such feelings of hopelessness. Mankind is facing the brink of extinction, as women have succumbed to the inability to reproduce. Beginning with the death of the world’s youngest man, the world that is demonstrated for the audience is a bleak one. Individuals pass by one another with sadness, fear, and even vague disinterest in the world around them. With no hope of continuing the generations that mankind had come to treasure, the people submitted to the ruling of border closure, the weeding out of immigrants, and quarantines of anyone deemed dangerous or viral to be around. Throughout the movie, the examples of violence, discrimination, and tyrannical power only proves humans desperation in the face of no hope for the future.
Although the world is not filled with such terrifying, dire circumstances that have backed mankind into a corner, continuing to follow leadership blindly without education, questioning, or resilience may someday lead society down a similar path. The previous examples are all works of science fiction, but it would be ignorance to say they do not speak themes of truth that are applicable to present day. Society may require leadership and government, but it does not have to be done blindly. Without education, faith and confidence, humans will fall victim to the consequences of fear and hopelessness, and everything that had been worked for will be lost in a new order.
Works Cited
Children of Men. Dir. Alfonso Cuaron. Perf. Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. Universal Pictures, 2006. DVD.
Ellison, Harlan. “”Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman”" Decades of science fiction. Lincolnwood, Ill: NTC Pub. Group, 1998. 290-300. Print.
V for Vendetta. Dir. James McTeigue. Perf. Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. Silver Pictures, 2005. DVD.
