2-Inch Tall Communism and Its Big Brother By: Jeremy Shirvan In 1984, by George Orwell, the reader sees a primary theme of political allegory and satire.  Orwell is presenting the world of 1984 as a satiric statement of what might come to pass, though of course, its exact form could never be predicted, if the world did not become aware of the terrible problems facing it, not in 1984, but here and now.  Orwell wrote the novel not as a prediction, but as a warning.  He believed that in many ways society was regressing back in the direction of barbarism, and that in the fight against fascism and other totalitarian and uncompromising systems of government, even Western liberal society was being corrupted and was adopting the techniques used by its enemies.  "Orwell's purpose in writing was not only to record what was happening in the world and to project ahead in order to make men realize what was happening and likely to happen.  It was as much or more his purpose to change the world"(Ranald). Now in what focus does communism, or socialism come into play?  In 1984 a definite system of socialism is in place: however it is not shown in it’s idealist fashion, as the political system was intended, but instead as a horrific world in which the government has moved beyond Karl Marx’s single sentence description of the theory of communism and socialism: “…abolition of private property”(Marx 425) and cross into a world which violates one’s own right to think.  However, from the view of someone living in this “dystopiate” world, would it be such a horrible place? To live in this socialist society; to look in on it though our eyes, and living in the democratic world that we do; it seems horrible.  But, if you were born into this world, chances are, it would not seem so horrible of a place.  Winston was alive before this system was put into place, and thus, would see it as a negative thing.  However, who can actually say what the intentions of the Party are?  All we can learn from reading this novel is that the Party maintains absolute control over its environment.  We, being raised in our world, see this as a bad thing. Where as the main populous of Oceania lives out its life very much trouble free, and has very little problem conforming to the society. There are small problems immediately around Winston, but over time, as with any government these problems would fade away.  As is stated in one of the books main phrases “Ignorance Is Strength” (Orwell 7).  A society where man is cut off from his own desires, and the knowledge of his own history is a world that enables people to forget about their problems and live a happier life.  “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” (Orwell 204).  Granted, to us it does seem horrendous, but as long as the people remain in their ignorance, all is fine.  The problems only arise when a person steps forward and makes an attempt to become an individual.  This only works to hinder the progression of life in a communist nation.  In its very nature communism requires the world to be one, united unit.  1. The Communists are distinguished from the other working class parties by this only: a. In the national struggles of the proletarians of the different countries they point out and bring to the front interests of the entire proletariat, independently of the nationality; 2. In the various stages of development which the struggle of the working class against the bourgeoisie has to pass through they always and everywhere represent the interests of the movement as a whole (Marx 425). That statement only goes to show how communists will go for unity, and when interrupted by a person attempting to be an individual, the society must remove that element from society. Now in understanding communism as it is used here, one must understand that there are different types of communism.  1984 is an example of “Critical – Utopian Socialism and Communism.” (Marx 432). To contrast this with another example of communism, one relative to our modern society, a person need not look farther than his/her own television sets and comic books.  A cartoon that has been an international sensation for almost forty-five years now, is one of the best examples of Utopian Communism.  The Smurfs, creation of socialist cartoonist Peyo, (www.smurf.com).  2-inch tall blue dwarf creatures who live in a society in which they wear the same clothing and all have their own specific jobs in the village. Also, the word “smurf” is used to represent many words in “Smurf,” the language of the Smurfs (Peyo), and thus is the common thread said to be needed to hold an element of control over the population.  In 1984 the entire language is in the process of changing to a government created language called “Newspeak.” (Orwell 246) It was intended that when Newspeak had been adopted once and for all and Oldspeak forgotten, a heretical thought – that is, a thought diverging from the principles if Ingsoc – should be literally unthinkable at least so far as thought is dependant on words. (Orwell 246).  Papa Smurf, in the “smurfian” world is not as much the leader as he is a revered and honored equal, both for his age and wisdom.  This connects directly with the Party and its relation to Big Brother.  There are however, differences.  Big Brother is never actually seen in the flesh, but is necessary to maintain the order of society.  In King Smurf by Peyo, Papa Smurf must leave on business and he leaves no specific smurf in charge.  This leads to complete and utter chaos. Brainy makes an attempt to take charge after he disagrees with others that there is time to play.  He insists that the smurfs go work on the bridge.  The other smurfs do not agree, at all. Soon, a verbal match ensues, comments fly back and forth, tensions grow and before long, all of the smurfs are declaring that they should be in charge for one reason or another.  The verbal debate soon matures into a full-blown violent rebellion.  The smurfs decide to then take a vote on who should be the leader while Papa is gone.  The theory of the vote collapses, and Brainy declares himself “King”.  A militia is formed to overthrow Brainy.  Papa Smurf soon returns and restores the utopian order. (Peyo, King Smurf).  The point is, without the head figure (Papa Smurf or Big Brother) both of these societies fall apart.  This fact shows that both The Smurfs and 1984 follow the theory of communism as stated in Karl Marx’s Manifesto of the Communist Party there is no true “dictator” in utopian communism. The examples are clearly stated in an essay by J. Marc Schmidt, which states the connections between all of the smurfs and their real-world counter parts.  “Papa Smurf represents Karl Marx.” This holds true due to the fact that Papa Smurf wears red (the color used to represent the communist party), and also has facial hair present, where as the rest of the smurf populous wear white clothing, and are clean-shaven. “Brainy Smurf could represent Trotsky.” Being as he is the only one in the village to even come near the wisdom, and general intelligence of Papa. And with his round spectacles could be a caricature of Trotsky (www.geocities.com… Schmidt 2) There is a feeling of unity among the smurfs, no one feels superior to any other.  All of the Smurfs, regardless of their job or occupation feel that they are of unvarying importance as members of the community.  The Smurfs do their job for absolutely no profit other then that of the general benefit of the community.  Thus showing the communist theory presented by Marx of “For the common good” (Marx 427).  For example, in The Smurfs and the Howlibird the opening scene is a depiction of the smurfs rebuilding a bridge, not for profit, but because it has to be done.  Brainy Smurf finds Lazy Smurf sleeping under a tree and says “It’s very naughty, smurfing around like that while every-smurf else is smurfing! I shall tell Papa Smurf.” (Peyo, The Smurfs and the Howlibird 1).  That line clearly shows that Papa Smurf is revered to as the superior being, and though he has the power, he does not abuse that power.  If you read further, to the next scene Brainy continues “And you won’t get any smurf for pudding today because as Papa Smurf always says…”(Peyo, The Smurfs and the Howlibird 1).  The next item for discussion is, although they are a unit, there are certain penalties for not functioning as a unit, and if you function as a unit that is the only requirement you must fulfill.  However, if one should choose not to listen and function as a unit, one looses out on an indulgence that the community receives.  Which then raises the question of whether the Smurf Village is a socialist system, or a communist system, and for that answer we look to the mind of Louis Althusser: “…socialism (to each according to his labour) to communism (to each according to his needs)…” (Althusser 219).  We can now determine that the Smurf Village actually falls somewhere in-between, but being as the example cited above is the only time any type of repayment was ever considered.  It should be assumed that the Smurfs live in a communist state.  The economic situation of the Smurf Village is a closed-market.  All property in the market is that of every smurf, no one smurf truly owns anything.  “The whole is greater then the individual” (Schmidt 2).  Similarly 1984 the people own very little, though they still have possessions.  The market is closed, and the people have no choice but to stay within the governmental restrictions.  Or, follow the course of Winston and purchase secretly from the Prole community.  “Party members were not supposed to go into ordinary shops (‘dealing with the free market it was called’)…” (Orwell 9).  There is a catch to interaction with the Prole community, not only is it a crime to purchase the item, and interact, but it is also a crime to even think about interacting, this is called thoughtcrime (Orwell 19).  Thoughtcrime is the act of thinking about something, anything the government considers illegal, or in this case anything against the party.  (Orwell 19).  Thoughtcrime of a different type occurs in The Smurfs.  It is considered intolerable and dishonorable to consider trading with the free-market.  The evil wizard Gargomel represents the free-market or, the prole community.  He is a living display of all of the evil of a capitalistic government. Gargomel is greedy, and he is only concerned with himself.  Schmidt makes a valid connection when he states “He is what happens when the individual makes himself more important then the society he lives in.” (Schmidt 3).  This follows to almost align with allegations that the Party accuses Winston of:  The danger of putting ones self ahead of the good of the party. Winston had an affair with Julia, She was not his ideal partner, and they did not actually have sex out of love, but for the action itself, for the rebelliousness of it, Winston felt some weak love for Julia, but she felt nothing in return.  Julia took more of a carefree attitude towards it all, her attitude more closely reflected that of a teenager then a grown adult.  Winston however, is looking into the future, he knows that one day he will be caught, and knows that he is taking many risks that increase the risk of being caught.  Over time, he becomes upset with Julia; he is angered by her attitude.  In The Smurfs, sexual desire is not a huge topic, however a strong case is made that the sexually the smurfs follow in the Marxist idea of a communal wife.  There is only one female in the Smurf Village. Her name is Smurfette.  Smurfette is unique from the start; her name itself sets her apart from the rest of the village.  Every other smurf is given a name based upon their occupation or personality.  Smurfette however, is given a name based on gender.  One may assume that this would disrupt the order of things, and upset the balance and equality in the Smurf Village.  This is not true. Smurfette is equal on a political level but not a social one.  Smurfette seems to be the only smurf without an occupation what so ever, her job appears to be the object of the other smurf’s gazes, to sit back and look pretty.  Gargomel, however created Smurfette, almost as a method of making a profit. This very idea that a man can make a women, works to deny a women her role in procreation (Schmidt 5).  The fact that she is a commodity and not a “real smurf” is shown through her basic appearance. Papa Smurf casts a spell on her make her a “real smurf”.  During this process it becomes quite apparent that she is a commodity.  Her hair color changes to Blonde, from brunette.  Brunette is traditionally a color associated with brains, and intelligence, where as blonde is associated with beauty and lack of intelligence. Her hair color is not the only thing that changes, she also appears to become, overall more attractive, and more “ditsy” or easily compliant. And so, in the least the parallels between 1984 and the Smurfs have been drawn, and the communist and socialist connections have been made.  1984 however, was a warning to us of the dangers of totalitarian control, where as, The Smurfs was an attempt to show the world how the communist utopia can be a good place to live.  And so, the next time you turn on you television, I hope that you will think about where we are today, in that Orwell foresaw that television, and when you hear the Smurf Theme song play, you think about the connections, and take a deeper look below the thought of it as a mere children’s cartoon. Works Cited Althusser, Louis.  For Marx.  New York: Pantheon Books, a division of Random House, Inc.  1969 Marx, Karl.  “Manifesto of the Communist Party”.  Britannica Great Books of the World: Marx 50:(1980):415-34 Orwell, George.  1984.  New York: New American Library, a division of Penguin Putnam, 1977. Peyo.  A SMURF Adventure: The Smurfs and the Howlibird.  New York: Random House, Inc.  1983 Peyo  A SMURF Adventure: King Smurf.  New York: Random House Inc.  1983 Ranald, Ralph. Monarch Notes.  Simon & Schuster division of Gulf & Western Co. Simon & Schuster Building.  New York, N.Y., 1965