Nineteen Eighty-Four Orwell’s Dystopia

Literary Significance One of the most influential political novels of our century One of the most influential political novels of our century Added vocabulary to our everyday speech Added vocabulary to our everyday speech Fascinating plot and vivid characters Fascinating plot and vivid characters Although the year 1984 has passed, the questions Orwell leaves us with remain relevant today Although the year 1984 has passed, the questions Orwell leaves us with remain relevant today

Historical Background Written in 1948 – Orwell dying of tuberculosis – wanted to perfect political writing as an art. Written in 1948 – Orwell dying of tuberculosis – wanted to perfect political writing as an art. WWII ends in 1945 – Orwell is still left with questions. Personal experiences that he had (Imperial Army in Burma, fighting in Spain against General Franco) led him to mistrust politics. WWII ends in 1945 – Orwell is still left with questions. Personal experiences that he had (Imperial Army in Burma, fighting in Spain against General Franco) led him to mistrust politics.

A definition of Socialism “A system based on public ownership of the means of production and distribution of wealth” “A system based on public ownership of the means of production and distribution of wealth” People have the power/governments work for the people People have the power/governments work for the people More even distribution of wealth More even distribution of wealth INGSOC is meant to stand for English Socialism – does it? INGSOC is meant to stand for English Socialism – does it? Karl Marx if you want to know more Karl Marx if you want to know more

More Historical Background Great parallels between the text and Stalin’s history. Clearly the inspiration for Big Brother. Great parallels between the text and Stalin’s history. Clearly the inspiration for Big Brother. Russian Socialist Revolution (1917) – Lenin becomes leader (Bolshevik Party). Russian Socialist Revolution (1917) – Lenin becomes leader (Bolshevik Party). At first, great reform including five-year plans for economy, collectivisation of farms, nationalisation of industry, liberation of thought and art. At first, great reform including five-year plans for economy, collectivisation of farms, nationalisation of industry, liberation of thought and art.

Big Brothers

More Historical Background cont’d. Intellectuals around the world inspired by Bolshevism. Intellectuals around the world inspired by Bolshevism. Lenin dies in 1924, Stalin becomes leader. He is charismatic, but tyrannical. Lenin dies in 1924, Stalin becomes leader. He is charismatic, but tyrannical. Stalin purges party intellectuals to get rid of competition. Stalin purges party intellectuals to get rid of competition. Key opponent was Trotsky – represented by Goldstein. Key opponent was Trotsky – represented by Goldstein.

Even More Historical Background Stalin’s opponents forced into exile Stalin’s opponents forced into exile Stalin begins the KGB – crucial to retaining his power, much like the Thought Police Stalin begins the KGB – crucial to retaining his power, much like the Thought Police Clearly, Orwell is envisaging a world that has continued along this path. Real Socialism (supported by Orwell) has been subverted. Clearly, Orwell is envisaging a world that has continued along this path. Real Socialism (supported by Orwell) has been subverted.

Class Division in the Novel Society in Oceania is divided into 3 classes: The Inner Party The Outer Party The Proles

The Inner Party The upper class of Oceania, representing 2% of the population. Better housing Can actually turn the invasive telescreens off (for a short period of time only) Selected at a young age, and are devout followers of Big Brother

The Outer Party The middle class: which makes up 12% of the population Actually worse off than the lower class proles. They are constantly monitored by the Inner Party, and subject to substandard food and living conditions.

The Proles Consist of 85% of the population The proles are better off than the upper parties because they are watched very little, because it is believed that they are too dumb to think about anti - Big Brother ways, so they are not a threat. Ironically- they have the most freedom

Our Only Hope "If there was hope, it must lie in the proles, because only there, in those swarming disregarded masses, eighty-five percent of the population of Oceania, could the force to destroy the Party ever be generated."(Orwell 74).

Underestimated The proles are the only people really capable of human feelings and emotion Seem incapable of forming a revolution to take over Oceania because they lack organization Happiest, and although much poorer than the other parties, they have much more when it comes to values and ideals, which are almost non-existent in the Inner/Outer parties.

Themes Dangers of Totalitarianism Dangers of Totalitarianism The Attack on Privacy The Attack on Privacy The Control of Language The Control of Language The Destruction of History The Destruction of History The Attack on Sex The Attack on Sex The Value of Memory The Value of Memory The Appreciation on the Past The Appreciation on the Past The Fallibility of the Human Mind The Fallibility of the Human Mind

Symbols/Motif Urban decay (motif) Urban decay (motif) Big Brother Big Brother Paperweight/rhyme Paperweight/rhyme “The Place Where there is no Darkness” “The Place Where there is no Darkness” Red-armed prole woman Red-armed prole woman Winston’s diary Winston’s diary

Analysis of Major Characters Remember that other than themes, character analyses are among you more common essay questions. Remember that other than themes, character analyses are among you more common essay questions.

Winston Smith Late 30s, lonely, in poor health, separated Late 30s, lonely, in poor health, separated Alienated by his awareness/intellectual Alienated by his awareness/intellectual Rebels - diary/Julia Rebels - diary/Julia Sexually frustrated Sexually frustrated Needs to understand the past Needs to understand the past Afraid of rats Afraid of rats Is broken in the end Is broken in the end "But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." pg 300

Julia Young, beautiful, sensual Young, beautiful, sensual Devious – plans trysts and pretends well Devious – plans trysts and pretends well Small scale rebellion Small scale rebellion Not intellectual Not intellectual Longs to be feminine Longs to be feminine O’Brien says she gives up easily O’Brien says she gives up easily Loses her sensuality at the end Loses her sensuality at the end "she only questioned the teachings of the Party when they in some way touched upon her own life. Often she was ready to accept the official mythology, simply because the difference between truth and falsehood did not seem important to her." pg 154

O’Brien Complex/paradoxical Complex/paradoxical Burly and imposing, wears glasses and adjusts them – “refined” Burly and imposing, wears glasses and adjusts them – “refined” Tormentor/saviour Tormentor/saviour ''Do you remember writing in your diary …'that it did not matter whether I was a friend or an enemy, since I was at least a person who understood you and could be talked to? You were right. I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind except that you happen to be insane.' pg. 271 ''Do you remember writing in your diary …'that it did not matter whether I was a friend or an enemy, since I was at least a person who understood you and could be talked to? You were right. I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind except that you happen to be insane.' pg. 271

Minor Characters of Interest Syme – represents the Party’s unwillingness to allow unique minds to exist. He is vaporised. Syme – represents the Party’s unwillingness to allow unique minds to exist. He is vaporised. “One of these days, thought Winston with sudden deep conviction, Syme will be vaporized. He is too intelligent… The Party does not like such people”. Parsons – a typically orthodox man. His imprisonment at the end reinforces the injustice of the system Parsons – a typically orthodox man. His imprisonment at the end reinforces the injustice of the system “…one of those completely unquestioning, devoted drudges on whom…the stability of the Party depended." —pg 22

Clever Things to Discuss Newspeak – use in your essay and discuss as a method of mind control Newspeak – use in your essay and discuss as a method of mind control Proles – Winston/Orwell thinks they might be the only hope Proles – Winston/Orwell thinks they might be the only hope Past artefacts and Winston’s obsession Past artefacts and Winston’s obsession Expression of energy through 2 mins hate Expression of energy through 2 mins hate Telescreens Telescreens Winston’s memories and dreams Winston’s memories and dreams What do Winston and Julia get out of their relationship with each other? What do Winston and Julia get out of their relationship with each other?

More Clever Things…. Children are evil – new generation Children are evil – new generation The inherent contradiction of party slogans The inherent contradiction of party slogans Tease out the relationship between Winston and O’Brien Tease out the relationship between Winston and O’Brien Goldstein’s book – true or false? Goldstein’s book – true or false? Winston’s betrayal of Julia – the last of his humanity? Winston’s betrayal of Julia – the last of his humanity?

Key Quotes WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU

Key Quotes cont’d “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death." —pg 27 “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death." —pg 27 “Who controls the past …controls the future: who controls the present controls the past." —pg 32 “Who controls the past …controls the future: who controls the present controls the past." —pg 32 “If there was hope, it must lie in the proles..” – pg 60 “If there was hope, it must lie in the proles..” – pg 60 “We are the dead”. “We are the dead”.

Study Tips Form a group. Each of you writes or researches as many essay topics as possible. Then discuss how you would answer them. Write practices and send them to your teacher. Form a group. Each of you writes or researches as many essay topics as possible. Then discuss how you would answer them. Write practices and send them to your teacher. Ask your teacher for discussion/essay topics Ask your teacher for discussion/essay topics Re-read the book! Re-read the book! Learn Newspeak – the language of this book is really important Learn Newspeak – the language of this book is really important Learn key quotes Learn key quotes Create a timeline of events Create a timeline of events