George Orwell s 1984 WRITING

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1 George Orwell s 1984 WRITING

2 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 spying and surveillance there were harsh consequences on those people. Learning Outcomes Learn about George Orwell s classic novel Learn about the major themes from this novel. Discuss this novel s relevance in today s society 1

3 George Orwell s 1984 Big Brother is watching! Nineteen Eighty-Four, sometimes published as 1984, is a dystopian novel by George Orwell published in The novel is set in Airstrip One (formerly known as Great Britain), a province of the superstate Oceania in a world of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation, dictated by a political system named English Socialism (or Ingsoc in the government's invented language, Newspeak) under the control of a privileged Inner Party elite, that persecutes individualism and independent thinking as thoughtcrimes. The tyranny is epitomized by Big Brother, the god-like Party leader who has an intense personality but who may not even exist. 2

The Plot: The protagonist of the novel is Winston Smith, who works at the Ministry of Truth, or "Minitrue", which is responsible for propaganda and historical revisionism.

4 The Plot: The protagonist of the novel is Winston Smith, who works at the Ministry of Truth, or "Minitrue", which is responsible for propaganda and historical revisionism. His job is to rewrite past newspaper articles, so that the historical record always supports the party. Smith is a diligent and skillful worker but he secretly hates the Party and dreams of rebelling against Big Brother. At the Minitrue, Julia, a young woman who maintains the novel-writing machines secretly hands Winston a note confessing her love. Winston becomes fascinated by the true past and tries to learn more about it. In an alcove beside his flat's telescreen where he believes he cannot be seen, he begins writing a journal criticizing the Party and its enigmatic leader, Big Brother, which, if discovered by the Thought Police, warrants certain death. 3

5 The Thought Police capture Winston and Julia and deliver them to the Ministry of Love (Miniluv) for interrogation. They torture Winston with electroshock, showing him how, through controlled manipulation of perception, Winston can "cure" himself of his "insanity" his hatred for Big Brother. Winston confesses to crimes he did and did not commit, implicating anyone and everyone, including Julia; but they tell Winston that he has not betrayed Julia as he had not stopped loving her. They send him to Room 101 for the final stage of re-education, the most feared room in the Ministry of Love, which contains each prisoner's worst fear. As a wire cage holding hungry rats is fitted onto his face, Winston shouts "Do it to 4 Julia!" thus betraying her.

6 Themes: Censorship and Surveillance A major theme of Nineteen Eighty-Four is censorship, especially in the Ministry of Truth, where photographs are doctored and public archives rewritten to rid them of "unpersons" (i.e., persons who have been arrested, whom the Party has decided to erase from history). The inhabitants of Oceania, particularly the Outer Party members, have no real privacy. Many of them live in apartments equipped with two-way telescreens, so that they may be watched or listened to at any time. Surveillance controls the citizenry and the smallest sign of rebellion, even something so small as a facial expression, can result in immediate arrest and imprisonment. 5

1984 s impact on the English language Many of its terms and concepts, such as Big Brother, doublethink, thoughtcrime, Newspeak, Room 101, telescreen, 2 + 2 = 5 and memory hole, have entered everyday

7 1984 s impact on the English language Many of its terms and concepts, such as Big Brother, doublethink, thoughtcrime, Newspeak, Room 101, telescreen, = 5 and memory hole, have entered everyday use since its publication in Nineteen Eighty-Four popularized the adjective Orwellian, which describes official deception, secret surveillance and manipulation of recorded history by a totalitarian or authoritarian government. 6

An example is the worldwide hit reality television show Big Brother, in which a group of people live

8 Cultural Impact References to the themes, concepts and plot of Nineteen Eighty-Four have appeared frequently in other works, especially in popular music and video entertainment. An example is the worldwide hit reality television show Big Brother, in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. 7

9 1) dystopian 2) surveillance 3) to manipulate (someone) 4) individualism 5) tyranny 11) to betray 12) censor/censorship 13) to arrest 14) totalitarian 15) authoritarian 6) protagonist 7) propaganda 8) to torture 9) to rebel 10) to implicate 8

10 Use this space to write down any words or expressions you have questions about 9

11 Speaking Orwell created new words and concepts. Use the text to match the words that go together and discuss what you think they mean and their social context Big speak Thought screen New think tele = crime double 10 Brother

Big Brother 2 + 2 = 5 Newspeak unperson thoughtcrime

12 Big Brother = 5 Newspeak unperson thoughtcrime doublethink Orwellian Room 101 telescreen 11

13 Text 1. Government Totalitarian, authoritarian, tyranny 2. Censorship surveillance, manipulation, torture Words doublethink, thoughtcrime, telescreen, 2+2=5 4. Verbs to rebel, to torture, to implicate, to betray George Orwell s novel 1984 is a dystopian satire, highlighting one extreme of the political spectrum. The themes of government surveillance and censorship expose the threat towards individual liberties. Big Brother is watching! 12

14 Speaking True or false? If false, correct it. True False 1. Telescreens are a form of surveillance. 2. In 1984, Winston Smith is a lawyer. 3. In 1984, free thought is a crime. 4. Citizens have a lot of freedom in a totalitarian government. 5. Winston Smith loves Julia. 6. Room 101 contains your favorite food. 7. Dystopian literature is uplifting 8. Winston Smith s biggest fear is snakes. 13

15 Writing Based on the reading, write down the order of events for the plot of For the last fact you write, make a prediction about what you think is going to happen next

16 Writing Answer the following questions The protagonist of 1984 is a) Big Brother b) Julia c) Winston Smith The Thought Police Winston and Julia. a) love b) capture and torture c) are friends of What is Winston s greatest fear? a) rats b) Big Brother c) The Thought Police 15

17 Speaking Think of examples in the real world of totalitarian governments. Discuss the dangers of a government that has too much power over its citizens. 16

18 Speaking Think about these questions. Discuss your answers. 1) What are some reasons that the government would want to control its citizens? 2) Do you think individual freedom is important? Why or why not? 3) Think of some examples of government censorship in real life. 4) Why do you think Winston Smith betrays Julia at the end? 5) How is 1984 relevant in today s world? 17

19 Writing Decide whether these statements are true or false. Correct the false statements. Dystopian is an adjective used to describe a genre of literature where everything and everyone is perfect. a) True b) False Totalitarian governments give their citizens a lot of freedom. a) True b) False A satire is a story that is designed to be a political social commentary. a) True b) False 18

20 Speaking Review the text by answering these questions about ) Who wrote the novel 1984? 2) 1984 is part of what literary genre? 3) What is the name of the god-like political leader in 1984? 4) Who is the protagonist of 1984? 5) Where do the Thought Police torture Winston and Julia? 19

21 Writing Complete the sentences Two of the major themes in 1984 are surveillance and? a) Winston Smith b) telescreens c) censorship Orwellian describes a government that is? a) totalitarian b) kind c) run by the people The TV show Big Brother, inspired by 1984, is about a group of people living in a house who are always? a) being captured b) under surveillance 20 c) working for the government

22 Writing In 1984, George Orwell creates a world where the government controls everything and everyone. Write a paragraph stating whether you agree or disagree that the government controls too much of its citizens lives? 21

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

2) What is the author s perspective on the control of a government, privacy, war, or citizens rights? 1984 Questions for the Summer Reading Novel by George Orwell Access the novel on-line..: http://www.george-orwell.org/1984 Name Class Print Legibly with an ink pen.. no pencil..no cursive writing please.