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George Orwell's 1984

George Orwell's 1984. Background Information and Context. Orwell’s Political Views. He considered himself a democratic socialist and was critical of communism He hated intellectuals, lying, cruelty, political authority, and totalitarianism

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George Orwell's 1984

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  1. George Orwell's 1984 Background Information and Context

  2. 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

  3. What Orwell Saw….. • Economic depression in the 1930’s • High unemployment • Shortages of money, housing, and food • Restrictions on daily life and rations

  4. What Orwell Saw….. • The beginning of the Cold War • Countries east of the “Iron Curtain” were communist • Countries west of it were protected by the United States

  5. Dystopia • Dystopia – a perfect society gone wrong • Orwell warns against what could happen in the future based on the atrocities and dictators that gained power in WWII

  6. What things could happen?? • The rise of totalitarian governments • The use of science and technology to regulate or brainwash society • The distortion of truth through rhetoric • The restriction of individual freedoms

  7. 1984: Setting and Genre • Futuristic, cautionary novel • Setting: London, in the mythical country of Oceania, 1984 (in the future)

  8. 1984: Setting and Genre • Ingsoc – English Socialism, its principles guide the state of Oceania • Telescreens are everywhere! They are two way television screens.

  9. Setting – Countries in 1984 • Ocenania- North and South America, Britain, Australia, and South Africa • Eurasia- Russia, Western and Eastern Europe • Eastasia- China • Land up for grabs- Middle East and Northern Africa

  10. Characters: Winston Smith • Winston Smith: Main character and the narrator of the story, “everyman” • Winston is a 39 year old low-ranking member of the ruling Party • His job is to rewrite history • Winston is thin, frail, contemplative, intellectual

  11. Winston Smith • He secretly hates Big Brother and harbors revolutionary dreams

  12. Characters: Julia • Julia is a 25 year old woman who works where Winston does. • She is a beautiful, dark-haired woman who enjoys sex and claims to have had affairs with many Party members • She is an optimistic person.

  13. 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

  14. Characters: Mr. Charrington • He is a kind and encouraging old man who runs a second-hand shop in the proledistrict.

  15. 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

  16. 1984: Oceania • Oceania- huge country ruled by The Party, led by “Big Brother” • Government is a totalitarian dictatorship.

  17. 1984- Oceania’s Ranks • The Inner Party (1% of pop.) control the country- intellectuals devoted to the party. • The Outer Party (18% of pop.) controlled by the Inner Party- the powerless middle class. • The Proles (81% of pop.) the labor power who live in poverty- “subhuman workers”

  18. 1984: Oceania’s Enemy • The Brotherhood- • An underground rebellion organization • Emmanuel Goldstein is in charge of the Brotherhood

  19. 1984: Newspeak • Newspeak is the official language of Oceania • The goal of the Party is to have Newspeak replace Oldspeak (standard English)

  20. 1984: Newspeak • Newspeak eliminates undesirable words and invents new words -- all to force Party conformity • Words are condensed and simplified for communication, resulting in less thought.

  21. 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

  22. Things to think about ….. • How does this novel connect with our own society? • What is Orwell’s ultimate message about- • Apathy in society? • The use of fear? • Mass manipulation? • Isolation and individualism?

  23. And remember finally … • The book is supposed to be set in the future; it’s not necessarily supposed to be the real 1984. • Winston has flashbacks and dreams at times.

  24. “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” George Orwell

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