Laporte's History of Shit and Orwell's 1984, Political Rules and Policies, Individuals
Laporte in his book, history of shit, examines the role of political rules for good functioning of the society. In the book, Laporte examines and analyses the how society manages waste through enacted laws. Laporte asserts that Freud's triad of order, cleanliness and beauty when embodied by the state result to civilization “… the totalitarianism of shit to the Totalitarianism of the State…,” (Laporte, 2000). Hence, follows the need to understand the idea of how individuals perceive political rules.
Laporte, in his book “history of shit” traces the history of development of sophisticated waste disposal techniques, through introduction of rules that force disposition in a certain manner acceptable at both the individual and societal level. Initially, there were no prescribed ways of waste disposal. However, with the implementation of new rules that stated clear ways of waste disposal, waste management became possible. People became aware of the fact that excretion is smelly and results in unhygienic environment that can promote ill health “…We forbid any emptying or tossing out into the city streets and squares of the mentioned city and its surroundings of refuse, offal, or putrefactions…” Furthermore, the need for waste management made people realize that what is a waste can undergo transformation and become gold “...Once eliminated, waste is reinscribed in the cycle of production as gold…” This assertion comes from the fact that excretion when left to decay is useful in the agricultural sector as fertilizer ( Laporte, 2000). This results to increased productivity since the fertility level of the soil increases. Hence, this depicts that a law as the one implemented by the king in Paris can be beneficial to the people as it helps them to progress.
[...] Laporte in his book, history of shit, examines the role of political rules for good functioning of the society. In the book, Laporte examines and analyses the how society manages waste through enacted laws. Laporte asserts that Freud's triad of order, cleanliness and beauty when embodied by the state result to civilization the totalitarianism of shit to the Totalitarianism of the State (Laporte, 2000). Hence, follows the need to understand the idea of how individuals perceive political rules. Laporte, in his book “history of shit” traces the history of development of sophisticated waste disposal techniques, through introduction of rules that force disposition in a certain manner acceptable at both the individual and societal level. [...]
[...] Use of force and threats in the History of Shit for people to adopt the laws would not be a good idea. People would follow the laws in order to please the king and not for the benefits accrued from proper waste management. Overall, it is evident from the above explanations that individuals perceive political rules differently. Hence, it is obvious that people rebel oppressive laws and embrace laws that promote both individual and group development. However, even if individuals do not agree with the existing laws they must act according to the set regulations or face the wrath of the authorities. [...]
[...] In this aspect, Orwell brings to light the terrifying nature of totalitarianism. The assertion is that the political system is very brutal, and it curtails the imaginations and creativity of the people. The theme of the implication of political rules on individuals still applies as with Larpote's History of Shit (2000). Through Winston, we learn that laws had ceased to exist This was not constitutionally illegal (nothing was additionally illegal, since there were no laws); it would be reprimanded by death or at least by twenty-five years in a forced-labor camp (Orwell, 1977). [...]
[...] Just like in Larpote's History of Shit, breaking of rules comes with consequences. Winston and Julia face the wrath of the Party after the discovery of their affair. However, there is a glitch between the two novels in the context when applying the theme of implications of political rules on individuals. For instance, in the History of Shit the wasted police are on the lookout to ensure that people dispose of off their waste in the expected ways (Laporte, 2000). [...]
[...] The uses of shit range from application on women's faces and hair as well as cure for wounds and diseases. Following the implementation of the new laws, what individuals perceived as useless was now important. The decree by the king as pertaining to the waste management resulted to the promotion of accountability. This insinuates that the people were responsible for their actions as individuals, households or groups we forbid all persons, whomsoever they may be, from emptying or placing any droppings on the streets (Laporte, 2000). [...]
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