Part I 1984
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Rutgers University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
01:090:296
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by MateScience1736
Name: Al Amin Hossain
1984
: “Let’s-Get-The-Characters-and-Structure-Straight-In-Your-Head-Before-You-Read-
Anymore” Day
Directions:
Complete the tasks below and then keep this document for reference. You must also
submit it on Schoology (one per person) by the end of class today, with the final copy submitted by
Wednesday, November 29.
Setting
:
o
Winston’s City
: London
o
Winston’s Country (province)
: Airstrip One
o
Name of the group of provinces:
Oceania
Winston’s territory is always fighting with either Eastasia or Eurasia.
The world in
1984
Government & Society
Oceania is ruled by Big Brother (“person”)
The philosophy of The Party is INGSCO (English Socialism)
The government has
4
ministries that control everything:
1.
Ministry of Truth
2.
Ministry of Peace
3.
Ministry of Love
4.
Ministry of Plenty
Highlight the part of the triangle that represents the class Winston is in.
What do you know about the Proles?
Ans: The Proles are the largest segment of the population in Oceania and are considered the working
class or proletariat. Despite their numerical superiority, the Party generally disregards and neglects
them as they are seen as less of a threat to the Party's control. However, the Party does maintain its
authority over the Proles through the use of distractions such as food, music, and indecency.
Also, the Proles live in poverty and are often described as more free-spirited unlike the inner and outer
party members, as they are not constantly monitored by cameras or people. As a matter of fact, the
Proles are allowed certain freedoms, such as singing, socializing, and engaging in activities that the
Party strictly controls among its inner and outer members.
Lastly, the Proles are largely apathetic and politically disengaged, which contributes to the Party's
ability to maintain control. Overall, the Party views them as a mass of people who are less likely to
rebel or question the established order.
-------------------------------------Stop! Ask any questions you may have! --------------------------------------------
Structure:
1. The structure is a mix between the present, flashbacks, journal entries, memories, dreams and
dreams that have flashbacks in them. In general, it is helpful to understand this overall structure. List
2-3 dreams/flashbacks/memories from the first 3 chapters of Part I.
Answer:
Winston's Recollection of his Family (Particularly His Mother and Sister) :
In the first part of the novel,
Winston recollects a memory of his family, primarily his mother and sister. He reminisces about a time
when they were in a church or a similar place, and he felt that their lives were sacrificed for his own.
This memory reflects the theme of sacrifice and the strained relationships caused by the oppressive
nature of the society in Oceania.
The Dream of the Golden Country:
Winston frequently dreams of a stunning place known as the Golden
Country. In his dream, he discovers himself in an idyllic rural setting where the sun is shining, and
nature remains unspoiled by the Party's influence. For Winston, the Golden Country symbolizes his
yearning for freedom, beauty, and a connection to a time that existed before the Party's domination.
O'Brien's Gesture During the Two Minutes Hate:
Following the Two Minutes Hate session, Winston
remembers a particular moment where he perceives O'Brien, a fellow Party member, to have made a
subtle gesture indicating sympathy and rebellion against the Party. This recollection becomes
significant later in the story as Winston begins to doubt the true loyalties of those around him.
2. Challenge question:
Considering that
1984
is about a man who is fighting to figure out what
reality is, why does Orwell structure the story this way?
Answer: The structure of George Orwell's "1984" conforms his thematic purposes effectively. Through
the use of various narrative components, Orwell creates a fragmented and disorienting narrative that
reflects/mirrors Winston's own struggle to sense/distinguish reality in a world where truth is
manipulated under the totalitarian policies of the Party. The blending of current events, memories,
dreams, and flashbacks contributes to the overall atmosphere of confusion and uncertainty, reinforcing
the theme of the manipulability of truth and the deletion of personal and collective memory and
thoughts by the authoritarian government.
Moreover, this approach allows Orwell to explore the subjective nature of truth and the impact of
totalitarian control on a person's perception of reality. Additionally, Orwell utilizes Winston's flashbacks
as a tool for giving the character depth. In other words, Winston's development as a character is
highlighted through his flashbacks as he starts off misplaced and later forms his ideologies based on
his memories. Thus, Orwell uses Winston's flashbacks as a driving aspect of his self-growth.
--------------------------------Stop! Ask any questions you may have!----------------------------------
Main Characters:
O’Brien
Directions:
Reread the description of O’Brien when Winston first describes him before the 2 Minutes
of Hate (Book 1- “The other person was a man…”).
Write down
5-7
words that describe O’Brien.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
1. Enigmatic/Mysterious
2. Humorous
3. Reliable or Trustworthy
4. Dignified
5. Manipulative
6. Intimidating
7. Coarse
Also, write down 5-7 words or phrases that FORESHADOW
(or hint) that O’Brien may be a threat to
Winston.
1.
"A sense of hidden motives"
: This phrase implies that O'Brien may have ulterior motives or secret
plans, potentially a rebellion against the Party.
2.
"The black-haired girl with the dark eyes"
:
O'Brien's association with a mysterious girl may
foreshadow complex relationships and potential treacheries.
3. “
He understood the Party
": O'Brien's deep understanding of the group can foreshadow difficult
loyalties and potential disagreements.
4.
"His eyes follow you"
: The intensity of O'Brien's gaze may suggest scrutiny or surveillance,
foreshadowing a potential threat or a deep association with the Party.
5. "He gave Winston a single sharp glance." This marked a brief period of intense scrutiny or scrutiny
from O’Brien to Winston.
Also, Winston's description of O'Brien as "
a large, burly man with a thick neck and a coarse,
humorous, brutal face
" creates an preliminary impression of physical strength and a rough,
imposing demeanor.
Julia (Brown-haired girl)
Reread the descriptions below of Julia. One is before the O’Brien description and another is
towards the end of the 2 Minutes of Hate….ESPECIALLY THE DESCRIPTION AFTER THE 2
MINUTES OF HATE!
Choose 5-7 words that describe Julia.
1. Mysterious
2. Subversive
3. Bold
4. Athletic
5. Pretty/ Seemingly perfect
How do we know Winston is lying when he says he “disliked her from the very first moment
of seeing her?”
When Winston first claims that he "
disliked her from the very first moment of seeing her
," it seems
like he simply dislikes the conformity and Party loyalty that many young, pretty women show.
However, his thoughts reveal a deeper, internal struggle. Apparently, he can't stop thinking about
her, and even considers hurting her. This obsession shows that his supposed dislike is more
complicated than it appears. It also highlights Winston's resistance to Party indoctrination, and
suggests that his feelings are not just superficial reactions to Party slogans.
Winston
Write down 7-10 new things you have learned about Winston and write them down.
1. Winston's Secret Rebellion:
Winston feels a burning desire to rebel against the oppressive Party
that seeks to maintain thought control over every aspect of life. He is tired of conforming to the
Party's rigid rules and regulations that prohibit any expression of individuality. In his heart, he longs
to be free from the Party's tyranny and to exercise his right to think and act independently.
2. The Memory of His Family:
Winston, being the main character of the novel, carries with him
deeply emotional and poignant memories of his family, especially his mother and sister. The Party's
authoritarian influence has caused him to experience a profound sense of loss and sacrifice, as he
reminisces about the closeness and love that once existed in his family.
3. Adversity with the Party:
As a member of the Party, Winston, gradually becomes disenchanted
with the pervasive propaganda and deceitful schemes employed by the Party to control and
manipulate the masses. Despite his initial loyalty to the Party's ideology, Winston's growing
skepticism towards the Party's false narratives and oppressive tactics lead him down a path of
dissent.
4. The Fear of Thoughtcrime:
Winston, constantly lives in fear of being caught for committing
thoughtcrime which is considered a grave offense within the established dystopian society. The very
idea of thoughtcrime, as a matter of fact, highlights the oppressive and totalitarian nature of the
Party's control.
5. Searching for The Truth:
Winston possesses an intense desire for the truth and authenticity of
Oceania. He is driven to uncover the reality that is disguised by the manipulative governance of the
Party. This desire for real information emphasizes his inherent need for truthfulness and
transparency in all aspects of his life. By relentlessly seeking the truth, Winston challenges the
status quo and disobeys the oppressive forces that seek to control and manipulate him.
6. Winston's Obsession:
Winston's behavior towards the dark-haired woman reflects a deep-rooted
obsession that goes beyond his supposed hatred for her. Despite the Party's strict rules on
interpersonal relationships, Winston's constant fixation with her suggests an intense infatuation that
he cannot shake off. This obsession is evident in his thoughts, actions, and behavior, which cross his
innermost desires and longings. As he struggles to come to terms with his feelings, Winston finds
himself drawn to the dark-haired woman more and more, despite the risks and dangers involved.
7. Winston's Fiction of Violence:
Despite outwardly asserting to despise the dark-haired woman,
Winston contends in disturbing imaginations and fierce thoughts about her, demonstrating a distinct
contrast between his public avowals and his private, conflicted desires/thoughts.
--------------------------------------Stop! Ask any questions you may have!-------------------------------------------
Controls:
List 7-10 examples of ways in which the people of Oceania are controlled. (
Hint
: Think about media
control, technological control, philosophical control, bandwagoning, surveillance/spying)
1.
Newspeak:
The Party controls language through the implementation of Newspeak, a language
designed to diminish the range of thought. By limiting the words available to citizens, the Party
restricts the ability to express dissenting or rebellious ideas.
2.
Telescreens:
These ubiquitous devices not only broadcast propaganda, but also serve as
surveillance tools. The Party monitors citizens through telescreens, instilling a pervasive fear of
being observed and preventing any private conversations or actions.
3.
Thoughtcrime:
The idea of thoughtcrime makes even rebellious thoughts punishable. The
Thought Police employ psychological manipulation to quell dissent, instilling fear in citizens and
preventing non-conformist ideas from being expressed.
4.
Two Minutes Hate:
Through daily sessions of Two Minutes Hate, the Party manipulates emotions
and fosters a collective, controlled hatred towards a common enemy. This helps in directing and
unifying the citizens' emotional energy for the Party's purposes.
5.
Rewriting History:
The Ministry of Truth constantly alters historical records to align with the
Party's current narrative. This manipulation of the past ensures that citizens have no reliable
reference point, undermining their ability to form independent opinions.
6.
Surveillance Cameras:
Besides the telescreens, the Party installed physical surveillance
cameras in public spaces to enforce constant scrutiny, suppressing dissent and enforcing conformity.
7.
Fear of Vaporization:
The fear of being vaporized or erased for defying the Party creates self-
censorship and compliance as the people of Oceania seek to avoid the dire consequences of
contention.
8.
Party Slogans:
Phrases like "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength"
serve as tools of ideological control, manipulating citizens' perception of reality and warping their
understanding of concepts fundamental to independent thought.
9.
Doublethink:
The Party promotes the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs simultaneously.
This intellectual distortion ensures citizens accept Party doctrines, even if contradictory.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
10.
Children as Spies/Informers:
The Party encourages children to report on their parents and
other adults for thoughtcrime. This breakdown of familial trust further isolates individuals and
ensures loyalty to the Party above all else.
Go ahead------ Once you finish “Types of Controls,” Complete the Doublethink journal below.------
Confusing Idea: Doublethink:
Reread the passage about doublethink on page 35 of chapter 3. The passage is towards
the end of chapter 3 after the fitness instructor yells “Stand easy!”
As a group, define what “doublethink” in
1984
is:
Doublethink, a concept introduced in George Orwell’s “1984”, refers to the ability to hold two
contradictory beliefs simultaneously and accept them both as true without acknowledging the
contradiction. The Party uses this concept as a tool to control thought and maintain its sovereignty.
As citizens are conditioned to accept and internalize contradictory statements, they become more
vulnerable to manipulation and less likely to question the Party’s propaganda. The concept of
doublethink illustrates the extent to which the Party aims to not only control external behavior but
also shape the thoughts and perceptions of people in Oceania.
This is the only day we will spend time reviewing the
plot
. For the most part, you should be okay
moving forward if you understand this information.
To study for reading quizzes:
Make sure you know the characters (big and small)
Keep track of events that move the plot forward. I will never ask questions where the only
answer is in one sentence, but anything that stretches over a few paragraphs is fair game.
Sometimes I will ask about important quotations, but if you know the characters, you should be
able to figure out who said which quotation.