2) What is the author s perspective on the control of a government, privacy, war, or citizens rights?

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Melanie Floyd
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1 1984 Questions for the Summer Reading Novel by George Orwell Access the novel on-line..: Name Class Print Legibly with an ink pen.. no pencil..no cursive writing please. Predict what you think the novel will be about: Please explain information about the author, George Orwell: 1)What is the author s purpose for writing the novel: 2) What is the author s perspective on the control of a government, privacy, war, or citizens rights? 3) What is the author s background? Biography details that influenced his writing? 4) What does it mean by Orwellian? Questions: 1. If we termed this novel a cautionary piece we would be saying that one of Orwell's purposes in writing this book is to caution people about what can happen to society in the future. Assuming that this a cautionary piece of what dangers is Orwell warning us? Please answer this question with supporting textual evidence from the novel along with student interpretation. 1

2 2. Define the terms "dystopia and utopia" and relate those terms to this novel. In your opinion, what would a utopian society of the future be like? What would a dystopia society be like in the future? In the novel, please cite and interpret supporting textual evidence that refers to a dystopia setting? 3. Orwell seemed to predict some developments of the future correctly, but he seemed to miss the mark on other developments in history and science. What did he foresee correctly? What did he see incorrectly? What concrete examples are in existence today? 4. Define the word irony and find at least three examples of it in the novel. Define..the word satire and explain what is being satirized in the novel. Please answer with supporting textual evidence from the novel along with student interpretation. 5. Define the word paradox explain with supporting textual evidence from the novel on how Orwell uses the literary device-paradox. 2

3 6. How does Orwell develop the character, Julia? How does she change from the beginning of novel to the end? Analyze Julia and Winston s relationship from her perspective. What is attractive about him despite their age difference? What does this reveal about her? What might her attraction reveal about her own political disposition? How does the outlook on the future of their relationship differ? What other insights about Julia can be gleaned from this relationship? Is she a realist or a cynic? What is she thinking, doing, and what are her actions? Does she follow the rules of the Oceania? Please answer with supporting textual evidence from the novel along with student interpretation. 7. How does Orwell develop the character, Winston? How does he change from the beginning of novel to the end? Analyze Julia and Winston s relationship from his perspective. What is attractive about her despite their age difference? What does this reveal about him? What might his attraction reveal about his own political disposition? How does the outlook on the future of their relationship differ? What other insights about Winston can be gleaned from this relationship? How does he feel about his work? What is he thinking, doing, and what are his actions? Does he follow the rules of Oceania? Please answer with supporting textual evidence from the novel along with student interpretation. 3

4 8. What did the world seem like in 1945 around World War II? Politically? Socially? Militarily? Explain.. 9. What are the party slogans? What do they mean? 10. Explain the ways in which Oceania goes about stripping away the humanity from its citizens and seeks to turn them into non-feeling automatons that are devoted to Big Brother. Consider what they do in regard to the following: language, human relationships, marriage and family life, the workplace, and the media. Please find, cite, and answer with supporting textual evidence from the novel along with student interpretation. 11) Explain the role of each of the three class in the Oceania society. State why and how the government wishes to foster inequality among its citizens. 12) Explain what The Thought Police are and their role in the society of Oceania. What is a thought crime? 13) What is the purpose of Hate Week? What is the Two Minute Hate? 4

5 14 )Explain the differences between a totalitarian government, a democracy, an oligarchy, a republic, socialism, and communism? 15) Explain the terms is Big Brother, Doublethink, Newspeak, and Ingsoc that are found in the novel? Big Brother: Doublethink: Newspeak: Ingsoc: NOTE: Please read this example on how to cite and interpret supporting textual evidence from the story: Step 1- Find the supporting evidence in the text that will explain and answer the question. In 1984, BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran. (Orwell, page 5) Step 2- Explain your inferences, meaning of what the author is trying to state literally and figuratively speaking. George Orwell was trying to warn future societies that a government can become a totalitarian government that could control every aspect of our lives. What happens when a government seizes absolute control of a society? The government could possibly control what we eat, where we work, what clothes we wear, where we live, and all around us there are cameras watching. The surveillance of cameras everywhere are meant to keep people safe, but they are continually watching. For example, cameras are on every street corner monitoring traffic. Also, computers at a person s workplace are monitored. He wrote this novel at the end of World War II, so the war and the countries that were taking over influenced his writing. Even the junior spies (children) are similar to the Hitler s Youth that were being recruited. The 1984 novel is a warning against the rise of governments taking full control and heading down a dark path of humanity which can lead to a dystopia. 5

6 REFLECTION: NOW AFTER READING THE NOVEL, WHAT DID YOU LEARN? WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE? EXPLAIN.. VOCABULARY FOR GEORGE ORWELL.. PLEASE LOOK AT THESE WEBSITES FOR WORDS TO LEARN..3 websites George Orwell's " 1984 " Part 1 - Vocabulary...comprehensive A vocabulary list featuring George Orwell's "1984" Part 1. Vocabulary study list for George Orwell's "1984" (Part 1). George Orwell's " 1984" Part 2 (comprehensive) A vocabulary list featuring George Orwell's "1984" Part 2 (comprehensive). Comprehensive vocabulary list for George Orwell's "1984" (Part 2). 6

George Orwell s 1984 WRITING

George Orwell s 1984 WRITING Content Big Brother is watching. What is the discussion of surveillance in George Orwell's 1984 and how was privacy breached? Because of certain actions discovered through