Introduction
Pierce Brown’s novel *Red Rising* (2014) presents a dystopian society structured by a rigid color-based hierarchy, where individuals are genetically engineered and assigned social roles based on color-coded classes. This essay explores how Brown uses this system to critique social inequality, examining the mechanisms through which societies create and perpetuate unfair systems. By focusing on the elite Gold class, the essay draws comparisons to real-world examples of inequality, such as historical caste systems and modern economic disparities. The analysis aims to uncover Brown’s commentary on power dynamics and the maintenance of oppressive structures, supported by textual evidence and academic perspectives on social stratification.
The Color Hierarchy as a Metaphor for Inequality
In *Red Rising*, Brown constructs a society divided into colors, with Golds at the apex wielding absolute power, while Reds, the lowest class, endure brutal labor and oppression. This hierarchy is not merely a fictional construct but a metaphor for real-world social inequalities. The Golds justify their dominance through supposed genetic superiority, reminiscent of ideologies like Social Darwinism, which historically rationalized class and racial hierarchies (Hofstadter, 1944). Brown illustrates how such systems are maintained through indoctrination and violence, as seen when protagonist Darrow witnesses the harsh punishments meted out to Reds for minor infractions. This mirrors historical examples, such as the treatment of lower castes in India’s traditional system, where social order was upheld through cultural norms and physical coercion (Dirks, 2001). Brown thus suggests that inequality is not natural but deliberately engineered and sustained by those in power.
Mechanisms of Control in Gold Society
Brown critiques how societies maintain unfair systems through systemic control mechanisms. In *Red Rising*, Golds use technology and education to perpetuate their dominance, restricting knowledge to lower classes while portraying themselves as benevolent rulers. This echoes real-world tactics of elite classes, such as during the European feudal era, where literacy was often limited to nobility and clergy to maintain control over the peasantry (Bloch, 1961). Furthermore, the Golds’ manipulation of media to shape narratives parallels modern concerns about misinformation and propaganda in sustaining economic inequality, as powerful entities control discourse to protect their interests (Herman and Chomsky, 1988). Brown arguably implies that unfair systems endure because they are embedded in cultural and institutional frameworks, making resistance seem futile to the oppressed.
Comparing Gold Society to Contemporary Inequality
The Gold society’s stratification bears striking similarities to contemporary global inequalities. For instance, the extreme wealth disparity between the top 1% and the majority of the population in many countries reflects the Golds’ monopolization of resources. Reports by Oxfam highlight how wealth concentration exacerbates social divides, much like the Golds hoard power and luxury while Reds starve (Oxfam, 2020). Additionally, the Golds’ use of surveillance to control lower classes mirrors modern state mechanisms in some regimes, where technology suppresses dissent, arguably showing how power structures adapt to maintain inequality across contexts. Brown thus seems to warn that without systemic change, societies risk replicating such oppressive hierarchies.
Conclusion
In *Red Rising*, Pierce Brown uses the color-based hierarchy to expose the constructed nature of social inequality, illustrating how power is maintained through ideology, control, and institutional barriers. By comparing the Gold society to historical and modern examples, such as feudal systems and current economic disparities, it becomes evident that Brown critiques the universal mechanisms of oppression. His work suggests that unfair systems are not inevitable but are perpetuated by deliberate choices, urging readers to question and challenge entrenched inequalities. Indeed, this analysis reveals the enduring relevance of Brown’s commentary, as societies continue to grapple with similar issues of power and privilege today.
References
- Bloch, M. (1961) Feudal Society. University of Chicago Press.
- Brown, P. (2014) Red Rising. Del Rey Books.
- Dirks, N. B. (2001) Castes of Mind: Colonialism and the Making of Modern India. Princeton University Press.
- Herman, E. S. and Chomsky, N. (1988) Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. Pantheon Books.
- Hofstadter, R. (1944) Social Darwinism in American Thought. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Oxfam (2020) Time to Care: Unpaid and Underpaid Care Work and the Global Inequality Crisis. Oxfam International.
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