Introduction
Daniel Defoe’s “Journal of the Plague Year” and the film “Outbreak” illuminate tales that bring the theme of government control during the pandemic into play. By graphically describing the situation arising during the interference period, the two publications unravel how a national course is turned upside down by a government exerting control over a medical concern. This paper aims to figure out and (to) explain how government control is related to social unrest during outbreaks, focusing on critical dimensions such as quarantine measures, government conspiracy, and societal resistance shown in the world novel and the film.
Defoe’s narrative shows the ordeal related to the quarantine in his novel, whereas the 1995 film, “Outbreak,” primarily focuses on the quarantine period. Therefore, these two portrayals are good for identifying the power struggle between the government and its people. It is possible to trace the complex impact of confinement on citizens’ individual lives and communities by dissecting the way these controls are enforced. This can lead to the development of tensions between the groups.
In addition, conspiracies of the government are ahead of one of the main themes that contributed to the clear picture of epidemics, which are sometimes events of power that lead to the dictatorship’s constitution. Examining the events that showcase disinformation and information suppression will help us see the more profound and intricate layers of trust and authority when a crisis hits.
By the way, the mirroring of social admiration for challenging the government as an entity or group that enforces its authority over another entity or group helps to understand the two-sidedness between individual freedom and state power. From the scenes of resistance and rebukes shown in the novel and the play, we can decipher that social disruption can limit the effectiveness of government operations during the outbreak.
In the context of these ideas, this paper argues that social discord is depicted in both Expressions while adding to the adverse effects of the disease. By taking a multifaceted look at the quarantine policies, government conspiracy, and society’s reaction to the crisis, we aim to explore the complexities of governance during times of disaster and its effects on public health in particular.
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Quarantine Measures
In the novel “Journal of the Plague Year,” Daniel Defoe shows us how the quarantine measures introduced by the government are like a double-edged sword – they are both essential parts of the epidemic response. However, they generate much discontent (Defoe 16). The text portrays how quarantine isolates people and communities by cutting them off, making it impossible for infected places to reach the rest of society (Defoe 67). This isolation brings fear, paranoia, and desperation to the people’s minds as they struggle with the uncontrolled outbreak, and it causes many complications in the community (Defoe 82).
In the film “Outbreak,” directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the government imposes quarantine control, bringing opposition among the community because of the tension between public health measures and individuals’ freedom (Outbreak). As the liberty citizens had turns out to be a mere dream, with authorities enforcing strict quarantine protocols like town-wide lockdowns overshadowing the major public health concerns, the rebellion begins. This resistance shows us the problem in the balance between public welfare and individual freedom, which occurs in times of hardship.
It is clear from both works that quarantine measures during pandemics are very intricate, and their many-sided influence on society may surprise us. These works illuminate the complexity of the quarantine measures during outbreaks. It is worth noting that quarantine rules, as well as preventive health measures, at the same time result in a reduction of freedom for people, and, at times, they prove to be a source of social unrest and anger. The loneliness of quarantine bursts previous community separation that makes the environment full of suspiciousness and mistrust (Defoe 103). Further, the enforced quarantine may cause disputes among citizens and managers, who consider it suspicious and unwanted intervention of their freedom and autonomy.
In summary, the portrayal of quarantine procedures in Defoe’s “The Journal of the Plague Year” and the film “The Outbreak” illustrates the difficulties of legislation in epidemics. On the one hand, when quarantine is seen as essential to confine contagion and safeguard public health, on the other, it can produce social unrest and pose a threat to individual liberties. Examining the quarantine methods in the described texts helps us discover the interconnectedness between government regulations and social reactions in times of crisis.
Government Conspiracy
The narrative of Daniel Defoe in “Journal of the Plague Year” debates the possibility of government conspiracy and information manipulations as the main culprits of the plague. This brings up more outstanding trust issues with authorities (Defoe 128). In the text, Defoe shows us government bodies’ approach to saving narratives as “the front” of their authority over people who likely are dismantling along with the chaos (Defoe 145). This intentional withholding of the truth generally leads to highly heightened anxiety and distrust among the public, who must struggle with the uncertainty of the virus’ extent (Defoe 167).
For instance, in the movie “Outbreak”, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the government is said to conceal information about the disease, preventing the community from trusting and resisting authorities (Outbreak). With informers and journalists contributing to the storyline, the extent of the cover-up by those in power positions is unravelled (Outbreak). The message sends people’s eyeballs to the government and moves them to question and act defiantly in their efforts to reject authority.
The way government conspiracy is featured in both texts carries over whether this or that society has a significant atmosphere of distrust and paranoia during times of emergency. In the same way Defoe and Petersen illustrate that self-serving government officials manipulate information to advance their goals, the film also draws attention to the deep-seated tensions between the government’s interests and the demands for public transparency. The subterfuge performed by those in authority casts the illusion of distrust in the institutions and simultaneously disenchants the society (Defoe 185).
The in-depth analysis of the government conspiracy in Defoe’s novel “Journal of the Plague Year” and the event “Outbreak” highlights the complexity and difficulty of governing disease outbreaks. Through demonstrating manipulation of the information and the usurpation of power by government officials, both texts make clear the recondite structural line between authority and the public. The authors exploit the mentioned themes to provide us with well-founded notions about the difficulties of ensuring every component of society is well-informed and interested in constructive dialogue amid growing terror and uncertainty.
Social Resistance
In Daniel Defoe’s “Journal of the Plague Year,” examples of social opposition to the state management are given attention to detail, depicting adopted disobedience to the Quarantine measures and violent protests against the officials (Defoe 215). In the stories, Defoe illustrates instances of those and their areas rejecting authoritarian control and instigating self-governance at the price of the abuse from the rulers( Defoe 230 ). The depiction of such a conflict highlights why society’s disquiet comes from clashes between governmental measures and what a person thinks is fair during disputes.
The same feeling of diminishing trust towards the government authority is experienced in the film “Outbreak”, directed by Wolfgang Petersen because the characters in the film question the validity of the mandated quarantine and call for the government to follow the principles of transparency and accountability (Outbreak). As the story progresses, people belonging to the community under surveillance become openly challenging the government, which is trying to enforce draconian measures by not allowing people to go out. The words quarantine are misspelled. These are not only people’s attitudes against the government (for reasons they have) but also (for a reason) a longing for more (high) level transparency in making processes.
The handling of both novels implies the existing conflict between the governmental restrictions during the time – dangerous diseases and the agency of the individuals in the same period. In Defoe’s narrative, rebellious acts symbolize man’s freedom from oppression, while in “Outbreak”, the characters reignite the zeal for good governance through advocacy for accountability and transparency (Defoe 245). This presentation, in turn, signifies that the bedrock of the human spirit is that it is never afraid to challenge illegitimate authority and is driven by the desire for freedom and accountability.
Eventually, the narration on social resistance in Defoe’s “Journal of the Plague Year” and the movie “Outbreak” gives us the principles of power utilization and resistance under challenging situations, which give invaluable information. Thanks to the demonstrations of people’s defiance of government control depicted in the texts, these two stories shed light on the doggedness of these individual’s desire to stand up for themselves and call for justice, fairness, and transparency. The question of power, the role of emotions, and the duties of different positions are the main conceptual foundations of this topic, and the depth of our idea of the close problems of governance and social relationships in the epidemic is increased.
Conclusion
Therefore, the beginning of the chapter compares the portrayal of the role of the government in Defoe’s “Journal of the Plague Year” and the film “Outbreak,” it is observed that the government sometimes contributes to social disruption during outbreaks. Looking at how they carry out quarantine, conspire to contain an epidemic, and resist/protest oppression secretly shows a substantial correlation between the government’s actions and how people perceive and react to epidemics. Both texts employ strong imagery to bring out the society’s perspective under authoritarianism during crises of heightened fear, worry, and rebellion. These portrayals heavily outline the negative consequences brought by government overstepping on social integration and public health, thus leading to poor health outcomes. Defoe and Petersen enlighten us on the intricacies of resolving the confusion of governing during disease outbreaks. Their insights show us the significance of transparency, accountability, and community working together in times of crisis.
Work Cited
Defoe, Daniel. A Journal of the Plague Year. Vol. 9, D. Estes & Company, 1904.
Outbreak. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Warner Bros., 1995.
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