1. Background Information and Context
George Orwell's 1984
Background Information and Context

2. About the Author “George Orwell” was the pen name of Eric Blair.
Orwell was an Englishman born in India in He died at age 47.
Orwell was educated at Eton, a prestigious boarding school in England.

3. More About the Author
Orwell decided to skip college and work as a British Imperial Policeman in Burma
He hated working in Burma and returned to England on sick-leave
Once back in England he dedicated himself to writing full time.
1984 was written in 1948 and published in 1949

4. What Orwell Saw… Economic depression in the 1930s:
High unemployment
Shortages of money, housing, and food
Restrictions on daily life and rations
The beginning of the Cold War:
Countries east of “iron curtain” were communist
Countries west of it were protected by the U. S.

5. Orwell’s Political Views
He considered himself a democratic socialist and was critical of communism
He hated intellectuals, lying, cruelty, political authority, and totalitarianism
He strongly opposed Stalin and Hitler -- he was very outspoken during WWII

6. 1984: Setting and Genre Futuristic, cautionary novel about a dystopia
Setting: London, in the mythical country of Oceania, 1984 (in the future; not necessarily supposed to be the “real” year of 1984)

7. 1984: More about Setting
Oceania= Americas, Britain, Ireland, Australia, Polynesia, and South Africa
Eurasia= Europe and Northern Asia
Eastasia= China, Japan, Korea, and Northern India
Land up for grabs= Middle East and Northern Africa
Constant fighting for control of that land

8. 1984: Map of the World

9. 1984: Oceania’s Ranks
Oceania is a huge country ruled by The Party (English Socialism or Ingsoc), which is led by a figure called “Big Brother”
The Inner Party (less than 2% of pop.) control the country
The Outer Party (about 13% of pop.) are controlled by the Inner Party
The Proles (about 85% of pop.) are the labor power who live in poverty
The Brotherhood is an underground rebellion organization lead by Emmanuel Goldstein

10. 1984: Oceania’s Ranks

11. 1984: Newspeak Newspeak is the official language of Oceania
The goal of the Party is to have Newspeak replace Oldspeak (standard English)
Newspeak eliminates undesirable words and invents new words -- all to force Party conformity

12. 1984: Doublethink
Doublethink is the manipulation of the mind by making people accept contradictions
Doublethink makes people believe that the Party is the only institution that knows right from wrong
“The Ministry of Truth” (where Winston works) changes history, facts, and memories to promote Doublethink

13. Characters: Big Brother
Big Brother is the perceived ruler of Oceania -- he looks like a combination of Hitler and Stalin
Big Brother’s God-like image is stamped on coins and projected on telescreens -- his face is unavoidable

14. Characters: Winston Smith
Winston Smith: Main character and the narrator of the story.
Winston is a 39 year old low-ranking member of the ruling Party
He secretly hates Big Brother and harbors revolutionary dreams
Winston is thin, frail, contemplative, intellectual

15. Things to think about… How is the novel similar to our society?
How is the novel different from out society?
What is Orwell’s ultimate message about:
Societal apathy?
The use of fear as a means of control?
Mass manipulation?
Isolation and individualism?
What is Orwell trying to accomplish through the novel?

16. Characters: Julia Julia is Winston’s 25 year old lover
She is a beautiful, dark-haired woman who enjoys sex and claims to have had affairs with many Party members
She is optimistic and her rebellion is small and personal

17. Characters: O’Brien
A mysterious, powerful, and sophisticated member of the Inner Party
Winston believes O’Brien is a member of the “Brotherhood” -- a legendary group of anti-Party rebels
Winston trusts and admires O’Brien, but never quite figures him out

18. Characters: Mr. Charrington
A kind and encouraging old man who runs a second-hand shop in the prole district
He rents Winston and Julia a room without a telescreen so they can carry on their love affair
He seems supportive of Winston’s rebellion against the Party

19. 1984: Story Overview
Winston is sick of his job fabricating and changing history at the “Ministry of Truth”
Winston has a sexual affair with Julia -- he trusts her and shares his rebellious thoughts with her
Winston wants to get involved with O’Brien, who he thinks is part of the Brotherhood rebellion
Eventually both Winston and Julia are captured by the Party