Truth and totalitarianism in Orwell, Brown, and Beethoven

¶ … Humanities are Important:

An analysis of the Da Vinci Code, Beethoven's 9th, and 1984.

A novel by George Orwell (pseudonym), real name Eric Blair

Published in 1949

A reaction to the totalitarian state engulfing the global community

The Da Vinci Code

A (2006) film by Ron Howard

Based on the novel by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon follows a series of clues that link Leonardo's masterpieces, the mystery of Jesus Christ, and a totalitarian regime in the guise of the Catholic Church

Beethoven's 9th Symphony

Completed in 1824 after the composer (Ludwig van Beethoven) had gone completely deaf, this -- his final symphony -- is often considered to be one of the greatest musical masterpieces of all time. The fourth movement is based on Schiller's "Ode to Joy" and invokes a chorus of universal brotherhood. If you listen long enough, you will hear the music swell into a magnificent burst of joy based on and representative of the awesome powers of truth and love as described in Schiller's poem.

What the 3 works of art have in common:

Each represents a vision of humanity, whether in totalitarian chains (as depicted in 1984 and The Da Vinci Code) or gloriously free, alive, and aware of both beauty and truth (as depicted in Beethoven's 9th)

By analyzing each work, we can come to understand more deeply the human need for truth, beauty, and love -- as well as the need for authority that rules not by fear but by care and compassion.

How the 3 works relate to my profession

As an Investment Advisor, honesty and accountability is something that my clients can value in me

Musical score (by Hans Zimmer) to draw the audience to the narrative

And Flashback sequences to allow the audience to visualize plot details -- for instance when the secret of the Knights Templar is disclosed; flashback allows the plot to advance without slowing down the pace of the film by giving all the necessary details in chronological order; instead, we can jump back and forth in time thanks to the flashback convention

Ron Howard creates an original vision of what the past was like according to the parameters of the fictional cinematic narrative. Using the elements of artistic composition stated above, Howard crafts a fast-paced, high-energy, mystery/thriller that never gets bogged down under the weight of its story.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony

Classical music at the height of the Romantic Age

Unlike any other composer's symphony (except for Liszt's and Mahler's -- both of whom took their inspiration from Beethoven's), Beethoven's 9th employs a chorus to express what the orchestra alone could not (McLellan, 1988, p. 3).

The 9th includes the use of Instrumentation

Chorus

Poetry ("Ode to Joy")

Romantic Idealism (the theme of universal brotherhood)

1984: Mood, Theme, and Interpretation

I find Orwell's 1984 to be a novel of immense darkness: for example, there is little humor to be found anywhere in it -- other than the humor one may take in the absurd juxtapositions used to create the Ministry's propaganda: "War is Peace," "Ignorance is Strength."

The plot of the novel also seems to lack imagination. Rather than journey with Winston through a process of beautiful discovery, the world of 1984 never really quite opens up beyond the walls of its cold, totalitarian system -- and inevitably Winston's intellectual search for the truth is foiled, and he is re-integrated into the Party fold following an intense session of brainwashing.

1984: Mood… cont'd

The mood of the novel is, therefore, pessimistic and cynical. Winston cannot escape the clutches of Big Brother because he possesses no transcendental truth -- although he longs for historical truth.

This, of course, is understandable since the theme of the novel concerns the total relentlessness of regime governance by fear and dishonesty rather than by care and compassion.

The Da Vinci Code: Mood, Theme, and Interpretation

This Ron Howard film suffers from an oversimplification of ideas and fantasy revisionism. While it aims at being a "who-dunnit" mystery/thriller that reduces the supernatural nature of the mysteries of Christ to the mere level of human nature, it fails to be convincing (even though it takes itself very seriously in its execution).

In the end, The Da Vinci Code must settle for being a silly fantasy adventure that (like 1984) fails to embrace any truly transcendental ideals.

The Da Vinci Code: Mood… cont'd

Like 1984, the mood of this film is dark -- yet it also manages to be playful (after all, it stars Tom Hanks, who cannot help but bring an element of personality to the role).

The theme of the film is that of exposure of the truth behind the totalitarian control of a centuries-long, universally established system of power (the Church) that has attempted to subvert humankind by replacing historical truth with falsehood.

Beethoven's 9th: Mood, Theme, and Interpretation

Beethoven's 9th is a jubilant expression of joy found in the Romantic ideal of universal love and brotherhood based on truth, friendship, and the overcoming of suffering

The mood is gloriously bright, uplifting, and transcendent -- especially in the final movement.

The theme is one of transcendence -- which is lacking in both The Da Vinci Code and 1984. Beethoven's 9th is thematically optimistic.

Similarities and Differences among the Works

Similarities:

Music: Although music does appear in 1984, it is incongruous with the overall atmosphere of the novel and never acts as a means of transcendence -- as Beethoven's 9th proposes to do.

Likewise, in The Da Vinci Code, music is used to help effect certain emotions during scenes of drama, violence, happiness, or panic -- but never in as truly joyful and transcendent a way as Beethoven uses it in his 9th symphony.

Similarities… cont'd

The theme of oppression: The idea that we are being manipulated and controlled by denial of the truth is common to the novel and the film -- yet in the 9th symphony this notion of totalitarianism is lacking -- although it may be said to be present in the sense that "suffering" is exists thematically: yet "suffering" is overcome not through humanity but by means of Heaven -- an idea which we shall explore in the next page.

Differences

Overcoming the Oppressor: in 1984, the hero Winston Smith fails to find freedom from Big Brother -- a point that separates his story from The Da Vinci Code and the 9th.

Robert Langdon (Da Vinci) on the other hand manages to uncover the truth about the massive conspiracy to rule mankind through lies about the royal bloodline of Christ, which has been preserved into the present day. Langdon's perseverance is rewarded -- unlike Winston's.

Differences… cont'd

In Beethoven's 9th, oppression is overcome as well -- but not by merely human endeavors (as is seen in Da Vinci Code). Instead, it is overcome by -- as the lyrics of the chorus suggest -- fixing one's eyes on Heaven: "Ahndest du den Schoepfer, Welt? Such ihn ueberm Sternenzelt." ("Can you sense the Creator, world? Seek him above the starry canopy.") (Schiller's 'Ode to Joy' in its original, 1785 version). The way out of oppression in the 9th is through Heavenly intercession.

Reflection

1984: the theme, mood and meaning of this novel sheds light on the human condition by showing us the utter emptiness of a world where truth is disregarded and totalitarian control is upheld as divine; such a world is devoid of happiness and tells us nothing of the true end, which Schiller and Beethoven speak of in the 9th symphony.

Reflection cont'd

The Da Vinci Code: the theme, mood, and meaning of this film sheds light on the human condition by showing the intellectual desire of humankind to dig for the truth even in the face of great adversity. While Winston in 1984 puts up a kind of fight, he does not ultimately persevere. Robert Langdon, however, has studied the past and supplied his intellect with the tools needed to discern the truth (as it pertains to the plot of the film).

Reflection cont'd

Beethoven's 9th: the theme, mood, and meaning of this musical composition sheds light on the human condition by expressing where truth and joy can both be found -- and that is in Heaven. By realizing that we are all united under one "canopy" where "God judges" and "anger" may be "forgotten" and "enemies" may be "forgiven," we may "embrace" one another in joy (Schiller's 'Ode to Joy' in its original, 1785 version).

Reflection cont'd

These themes, moods, and meanings may be related to my profession as an investment analyst by the fact that I cannot help clients with their investment portfolios unless I know the truth concerning the best possible ways to invest. I cannot do my job successfully if I am divorced from the realities that govern humankind -- and when it comes to honesty and money, one cannot be too careful. The arts help people like me appreciate the virtue of honesty -- and these 3 works of art help me to want to be truthful. Whether we are historical revisionists (like Winston), detectives (like Langdon), or musicians (like Beethoven), we must strive for truth in the workplace as well as outside it.

To assume that truth and beauty have no relation to my profession as an investment analyst is like saying one does not need air to breathe while he works: at no time are we as human beings independent of truth -- for we rely upon them just as much as we do (if not more) upon food and drink. The soul -- as Plato said -- must be nourished just as much as the body (Kyziridis, 2005, p.43). If I compel my clients to make bad investments, I will hurt my career.

Reflection cont'd

Knowledge of the humanities, likewise, may facilitate our desire for excellence in our professional life. Just as knowledge of the humanities assisted (quite literally) Robert Langdon in his quest to uncover the truth, our knowledge of the humanities may assist us in efforts to make the workplace an environment of solidarity, enthusiasm, and decency. Being up front and honest as an investment analyst will make it clear to my clients that I have nothing to hide and nothing to gain by being deceptive.

For, just as Beethoven shows in the 9th, the humanities (whether poetic or historic) help make us human -- while Fascism (as shown in 1984) simply reduces us to inhuman beasts who lack honesty.

Summary

The 3 works of art we have considered today tell us much about the human need for truth and transcendence. As Beethoven shows through his musical composition, mankind may find transcendent joy by looking toward Heaven -- which in turn can help make us honest with one another.

As Robert Langdon of The Da Vinci Code shows, we may utilize our understanding of the past to help us in uncover the truth about ourselves.

When it comes to analyzing investments, Truth is very important.

Summary cont'd

And as Winston Smith (of 1984) shows us, no man can find true happiness in a world that refuses to allow its citizens to pursue the truth and to study the past. Human nature needs truth just like it needs air -- and without it, human nature becomes just a mere talking robot, as can be seen in the person of Winston Smith when he finally proclaims his love for Big Brother.

Reference List

Kyziridis, T. (2005). Notes on the History of Schizophrenia. Retrieved from http://www.gjpsy.uni-goettingen.de/gjp-article-kyziridis.pdf

Lief, R.A. (1969). Homage to Oceania: the prophetic vision of George Orwell. OH: Ohio University Press.