alienation as defined by:
1. a turning away; estrangement
Film : Equilibrium
The film “Equilibrium” presents us with anther example of alienation through a turning away from society. However in this example, the main character chooses to reject society in order to live a life which is more authentic and humane. The protagonist, John Preston, is an enforcement officer in a future society which is post WW3 where all forms of emotional expression are illegal. Citizens of this society are made to take drugs to suppress their feelings, in order to prevent conflicts and avoid war. They are arrested and disposed of for showing any interest in literature, religion, or any other subject with any emotive qualities. At the beginning of the film Preston is presented as the ideal citizen. He lives his life in full accordance to the rules of the government; he raises his children under the same discipline. He even accepts the removal of his wife by the authorities for not taking her medication and breaking the rules of the state. It is not until Preston accidentally misses an injection of drugs that he starts to realize that he does not want to live his life this way, or raise his children in a emotionless state. He begins to question the government leaders in charge, and eventually discovers an alternate society which exists underground, outside of the rules of the state. Through his rejection of the authoritarian society, Preston displaces himself and feels scared and alienated. He has to sneak around, lying to the people that he works with and risking his job and ultimately his life. However, he does so because he realizes he wants to lead a life where he was afforded his individual liberty, freedom to think, feel and live the way he pleases without persecution. Preston eventually joins a resistance movement to overthrow the ruling regime, in order that he may live in a society where his emotions and those of the people around him can be expressed freely. His alienation from the oppressive regime eventually led him into forming news bonds and relationships within a less oppressive community.