19841984A novel, a satire, a warning, a A novel, a satire, a warning, a text with many prescient and text with many prescient and

uncanny connections…uncanny connections…

[During Germany’s national elections of 1932] a [During Germany’s national elections of 1932] a "summer of hate" saw daily gun battles between "summer of hate" saw daily gun battles between Nazis and Communists on the streets of Berlin. Nazis and Communists on the streets of Berlin. Christopher Isherwood [author of Christopher Isherwood [author of Goodbye to Goodbye to BerlinBerlin, considered among the most significant , considered among the most significant political novels of the 20th century and inspiring political novels of the 20th century and inspiring the world famous musical the world famous musical CabaretCabaret] … thought ] … thought there was something false and ritualistic about there was something false and ritualistic about this street fighting, as though both parties were this street fighting, as though both parties were in it mainly for publicity purposes – “fifteen in it mainly for publicity purposes – “fifteen seconds, and then it was all over and seconds, and then it was all over and dispersed,” as Isherwood remembered it. There dispersed,” as Isherwood remembered it. There was no doubt that both sides, extreme left and was no doubt that both sides, extreme left and extreme right, now had an interest in breaking extreme right, now had an interest in breaking down public order and scaring everyone away down public order and scaring everyone away from the centre parties.from the centre parties.

Tom Reiss, Tom Reiss, The OrientalistThe Orientalist, Random House 2005, , Random House 2005, p.264 p.264

Winston SmithWinston Smith

WinstonWinston SmithSmith EverymanEveryman is an is an English morality English morality play of the 15th play of the 15th century which century which achieves a achieves a beautiful, simple beautiful, simple solemnity in solemnity in treating treating allegorically the allegorically the theme of death theme of death and the fate of the and the fate of the human soul—of human soul—of Everyman's soul.Everyman's soul.

Doublethink Doublethink

The keyword here is blackwhite. Like so many Newspeak The keyword here is blackwhite. Like so many Newspeak words, this word has two mutually contradictory meanings. words, this word has two mutually contradictory meanings. Applied to an opponent, it means the habit of impudently Applied to an opponent, it means the habit of impudently claiming that black is white, in contradiction of the plain claiming that black is white, in contradiction of the plain facts. Applied to a Party member, it means a loyal facts. Applied to a Party member, it means a loyal willingness to say that black is white when Party discipline willingness to say that black is white when Party discipline demands this. But it means also the ability to believe that demands this. But it means also the ability to believe that black is white, and more, to know that black is white, and to black is white, and more, to know that black is white, and to forget that one has ever believed the contrary. This forget that one has ever believed the contrary. This demands a continuous alteration of the past, made possible demands a continuous alteration of the past, made possible by the system of thought which really embraces all the rest, by the system of thought which really embraces all the rest, and which is known in Newspeak as doublethink. and which is known in Newspeak as doublethink. Doublethink is basically the power of holding two Doublethink is basically the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.accepting both of them.

– – Part II, chapter IX - chapter I of Goldstein's bookPart II, chapter IX - chapter I of Goldstein's book

NewspeakNewspeak

““Don’t you see that the whole range Don’t you see that the whole range of Newspeak is to narrow the range of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible thoughtcrime literally impossible because there will be no words in because there will be no words in which to express it.”which to express it.”

Syme, Syme, chapter 5chapter 5

News peakNews peak

Think of examples where world or local Think of examples where world or local news has been reported or edited in news has been reported or edited in biased ways (by newspapers with biased ways (by newspapers with different political agendas, for example)different political agendas, for example)

Read Orwell’s essay, Read Orwell’s essay, Politics and the Politics and the English Language,English Language, written in 1946 written in 1946 (referred to in the latest (referred to in the latest Adelaide Adelaide Independent WeeklyIndependent Weekly))

CharacterisationCharacterisation

Julia: a different kind of rebel to Julia: a different kind of rebel to Winston? Winston?

Syme: an almost obsessive intellectual?Syme: an almost obsessive intellectual? Parsons: the submissive worker who, Parsons: the submissive worker who,

despite his enthusiasm for Big Brother, despite his enthusiasm for Big Brother, will end up as a victim (will end up as a victim (like Boxer in like Boxer in Animal Animal

FarmFarm)?)? Winston: hero or an anti-hero?Winston: hero or an anti-hero?

Character studiesCharacter studies

With the class divided into four groups, With the class divided into four groups, each will write a study of one of the each will write a study of one of the following characters:following characters:

Julia; Syme; Parsons; WinstonJulia; Syme; Parsons; Winston

Do not merely describe and analyse Do not merely describe and analyse them, but identify from where them, but identify from where exactly in the book you get your exactly in the book you get your ideas.ideas.

The Language of the Third The Language of the Third Reich...Reich...

The German philologist Victor Klemperer made a The German philologist Victor Klemperer made a secret study of the Nazis' perversion of the German secret study of the Nazis' perversion of the German language.language.

Although he was sacked from Dresden University Although he was sacked from Dresden University (where he was professor of French Literature) in (where he was professor of French Literature) in 1935 because he was a Jew, Victor Klemperer was 1935 because he was a Jew, Victor Klemperer was allowed to remain in Dresden throughout the war allowed to remain in Dresden throughout the war years because the Nazis classified his wife as an years because the Nazis classified his wife as an 'Aryan'. Klemperer risked their lives by keeping 'Aryan'. Klemperer risked their lives by keeping detailed diaries in which he made a meticulous detailed diaries in which he made a meticulous study of Nazi rhetoric, which he codenamed LTI, study of Nazi rhetoric, which he codenamed LTI, standing for standing for Lingua Tertii ImperiiLingua Tertii Imperii..

Dr Leo Kretzenbacher on the German philologist Victor Dr Leo Kretzenbacher on the German philologist Victor Klemperer, ABC Radio National,Klemperer, ABC Radio National, Saturday 22/03/2003Saturday 22/03/2003

Published in 1946 in what was then the Published in 1946 in what was then the Soviet-occupied part of Germany, ‘The Soviet-occupied part of Germany, ‘The Language of the Third Reich’ consists Language of the Third Reich’ consists of excerpts from the diary Viktor of excerpts from the diary Viktor Klemperer kept during a murderously Klemperer kept during a murderously insane time as a means of keeping insane time as a means of keeping sane. Its immediate appeal and sane. Its immediate appeal and eminent readability after almost 60 eminent readability after almost 60 years lies in its deeply personal years lies in its deeply personal character.character.

How can a manipulated system How can a manipulated system of language poison everyday of language poison everyday

life?life? Central to Klemperer’s endeavour is the question: how and Central to Klemperer’s endeavour is the question: how and

to what extent can immersion in a completely manipulated to what extent can immersion in a completely manipulated system of language - along with other symbolic systems - system of language - along with other symbolic systems - poison the everyday thinking and speaking of ordinary poison the everyday thinking and speaking of ordinary people? He is amazed by the spread of Nazi terminology, people? He is amazed by the spread of Nazi terminology, and by the willingness of people to believe Nazi and by the willingness of people to believe Nazi propaganda, particularly those who are not themselves propaganda, particularly those who are not themselves Nazis. Amongst the uneducated as well as the highly Nazis. Amongst the uneducated as well as the highly educated, … even amongst fellow Jewish victims of the educated, … even amongst fellow Jewish victims of the Nazis, he encounters a large amount of vocabulary that he Nazis, he encounters a large amount of vocabulary that he traces back to official Nazi use, plus a deep conviction, right traces back to official Nazi use, plus a deep conviction, right up to the end, that Hitler is going to turn around the up to the end, that Hitler is going to turn around the obviously lost war. In the afterword, Klemperer even … asks obviously lost war. In the afterword, Klemperer even … asks whether he himself had been immune to the whether he himself had been immune to the generalisations of ‘the other’ that Nazi propaganda had generalisations of ‘the other’ that Nazi propaganda had drummed into people.drummed into people.

Sprache, die fur dich dichtet Sprache, die fur dich dichtet und denktund denkt

Deprived, amongst so many other things, of any Deprived, amongst so many other things, of any access to libraries and even to newspapers as a access to libraries and even to newspapers as a Jew, Klemperer starts to analyse his everyday Jew, Klemperer starts to analyse his everyday impressions from his intimate knowledge of the impressions from his intimate knowledge of the rationalist tradition of the Enlightenment and rationalist tradition of the Enlightenment and European literature of the Classic and Romantic European literature of the Classic and Romantic periods. His main hypothesis is derived from periods. His main hypothesis is derived from Friederich Schiller’s idea of ‘language that writes Friederich Schiller’s idea of ‘language that writes and thinks for you’. His material is everything he and thinks for you’. His material is everything he can get access to, such as scraps of newspapers he can get access to, such as scraps of newspapers he gets as wrapping paper or is given by his wife, who gets as wrapping paper or is given by his wife, who is also able to borrow some books from the libraries is also able to borrow some books from the libraries locked to him.locked to him.

AufziehenAufziehen

‘‘Aufziehen’ is a German verb with a neutral Aufziehen’ is a German verb with a neutral technical meaning such as ‘winding up a technical meaning such as ‘winding up a mechanical toy or a clock’. ‘Jemanden aufziehen’ mechanical toy or a clock’. ‘Jemanden aufziehen’ can also mean ‘to pull someone’s leg’. Chapter 7 can also mean ‘to pull someone’s leg’. Chapter 7 analyses how this verb was hijacked by the Nazis analyses how this verb was hijacked by the Nazis and given the completely new meaning of ‘setting and given the completely new meaning of ‘setting up something on a grand scale’. This new meaning up something on a grand scale’. This new meaning of the verb ‘aufziehen’ survived the Third Reich and of the verb ‘aufziehen’ survived the Third Reich and has ever since been a seemingly harmless has ever since been a seemingly harmless exaggeration for any event that is planned and exaggeration for any event that is planned and performed on a grand scale. Nazi use of language performed on a grand scale. Nazi use of language survived Nazi rule.survived Nazi rule.

fanatischfanatisch

Much more obvious in its manipulative intention Much more obvious in its manipulative intention is the emphasis the Nazis put on the adjective is the emphasis the Nazis put on the adjective ‘fanatical’. Throughout the Nazi period, ‘fanatisch’ ‘fanatical’. Throughout the Nazi period, ‘fanatisch’ kept the connotation of blind irrationality it had kept the connotation of blind irrationality it had since the Enlightenment, while being turned into since the Enlightenment, while being turned into a positive word. Thus to Klemperer, the a positive word. Thus to Klemperer, the ubiquitous use of ‘fanatisch’ and ‘Fanatismus’ in ubiquitous use of ‘fanatisch’ and ‘Fanatismus’ in LTI is much more than just an element of a LTI is much more than just an element of a pompous and threatening vocabulary; it signifies pompous and threatening vocabulary; it signifies the Nazis’ contempt for rationality and their the Nazis’ contempt for rationality and their idolising of pseudo-religious blind faith.idolising of pseudo-religious blind faith.

GefolgschaftGefolgschaft

‘‘Gefolgschaft’ literally means ‘group of followers’. Gefolgschaft’ literally means ‘group of followers’. This medieval term with feudal overtones was used This medieval term with feudal overtones was used in the Nazi vocabulary to refer to any entourage, in the Nazi vocabulary to refer to any entourage, but more specifically to the workforce or staff of a but more specifically to the workforce or staff of a particular employer. By exchanging contemporary particular employer. By exchanging contemporary industrial relations terms such as ‘Belegschaft’, industrial relations terms such as ‘Belegschaft’, ‘Arbeitnehmer’ or ‘Angestellte’ for ‘Gefolgschaft’, ‘Arbeitnehmer’ or ‘Angestellte’ for ‘Gefolgschaft’, each and every workplace is transformed into a each and every workplace is transformed into a little Third Reich of its own, reflecting the little Third Reich of its own, reflecting the relationship between ‘Fuhrer’ and ‘Gefolgschaft’, relationship between ‘Fuhrer’ and ‘Gefolgschaft’, ‘leader and followers’, thousandfold.‘leader and followers’, thousandfold.

Dr Leo Kretzenbacher, Department of Germanic and Swedish Dr Leo Kretzenbacher, Department of Germanic and Swedish Studies, Melbourne University.Studies, Melbourne University.

StructureStructure

The novel is divided into three parts with The novel is divided into three parts with one appendix.one appendix.

In three groups, identify what the narrative In three groups, identify what the narrative purpose is for each part (e.g. an introduction purpose is for each part (e.g. an introduction – but to what?) and what the general focus – but to what?) and what the general focus of each part is.of each part is.

In In Nineteen Eighty-Four, Nineteen Eighty-Four, the story is told the story is told chronologically, apart from…when? Identify chronologically, apart from…when? Identify any deviations in chronological narrative for any deviations in chronological narrative for your part and explain their effect or purpose.your part and explain their effect or purpose.

GenreGenre

From Utopia to DystopiaFrom Utopia to Dystopia While incorporating a sense of post-While incorporating a sense of post-

1945 austerity (written in 1948, the 1945 austerity (written in 1948, the novel reflects the privations Britain novel reflects the privations Britain suffered as a result of WWII), the setting suffered as a result of WWII), the setting consciously inverts many of the consciously inverts many of the principles fundamental to the principles fundamental to the construction of a utopian communityconstruction of a utopian community

GenreGenre

The Utopian CityThe Utopian City Typically well-ordered, harmonious and perfect in Typically well-ordered, harmonious and perfect in

all parts, reflecting the sociopolitical ideals of the all parts, reflecting the sociopolitical ideals of the utopian writerutopian writer

The City of The City of 19841984 A decaying, bomb-shocked London of ruined skull-A decaying, bomb-shocked London of ruined skull-

like houses – the constant watchful regard of like houses – the constant watchful regard of power isolates and separates rather than unites its power isolates and separates rather than unites its people: “In our world there will be no emotions people: “In our world there will be no emotions except fear, rage, triumph and self-abasement” except fear, rage, triumph and self-abasement” (p.279)(p.279)

GenreGenre

Utopian TransparencyUtopian Transparency All motives and functions work All motives and functions work

transparently under the all-pervading transparently under the all-pervading light of rationality, honesty and truthlight of rationality, honesty and truth

Oceania’s darknessOceania’s darkness Mirrors do not reflect; all glass is Mirrors do not reflect; all glass is

opaque; the telescreen is really the eye opaque; the telescreen is really the eye of a spyof a spy

GenreGenre

The Newspeak appendixThe Newspeak appendix A parody of pure language, transparent in all A parody of pure language, transparent in all

its parts, it rather mutilates and homogenizes its parts, it rather mutilates and homogenizes to prevent the possibility of free thoughtto prevent the possibility of free thought

O’Brien as utopian architectO’Brien as utopian architect A moralist, censor and pedagogue who wants A moralist, censor and pedagogue who wants

to reform humanity through Winston Smith – to reform humanity through Winston Smith – the ‘last man’ of a generation becoming extinct the ‘last man’ of a generation becoming extinct – by uprooting memory and individual identity– by uprooting memory and individual identity

Point of ViewPoint of View

The book is written in the third person but The book is written in the third person but stays with Winston’s point of viewstays with Winston’s point of view Does this affect one’s visionDoes this affect one’s vision

of what happens? of what happens? of the other characters? of the other characters?

Winston at first thinks that Julia is a member of Winston at first thinks that Julia is a member of the Thought Police, while he trusts O’Brien. How the Thought Police, while he trusts O’Brien. How does this affect the reader?does this affect the reader?

What does this show us about different types of What does this show us about different types of narrator and the effects of changing point of narrator and the effects of changing point of view? view?

Could one have told this story from O’Brien’s Could one have told this story from O’Brien’s viewpoint? Or Julia’s? Do it, choosing your own viewpoint? Or Julia’s? Do it, choosing your own appropriate short scene.appropriate short scene.

““God is power” (p.276): God is power” (p.276): 1984’1984’s s metaphysical paradoxmetaphysical paradox

If God is power, he had to create the If God is power, he had to create the world so as to be perceivedworld so as to be perceived

Winston Smith’s rebellion is created by Winston Smith’s rebellion is created by O’Brien in order for the party to reaffirm O’Brien in order for the party to reaffirm the reality of its power, by creating the the reality of its power, by creating the consciousness of its power: “a boot consciousness of its power: “a boot stamping on a human face – for ever” stamping on a human face – for ever” cannot exist without a facecannot exist without a face

2 + 2 = 52 + 2 = 5

The The onlyonly point in making Winston point in making Winston believe that two and two equals five believe that two and two equals five is to break him:is to break him: Denying a belief for no reason (to act Denying a belief for no reason (to act

withoutwithout reason) is a first step towards reason) is a first step towards losing a sense of self – it makes you losing a sense of self – it makes you irrational in the precise sense of being irrational in the precise sense of being unable to justify yourself to yourself.unable to justify yourself to yourself.

Room 101Room 101

Why are rats Winston's deepest fear?Why are rats Winston's deepest fear?

What is the psychological source of What is the psychological source of this fear?this fear?

101101

In his selfish and In his selfish and uncontrollable hunger uncontrollable hunger as a child, Winston as a child, Winston denied his mother and denied his mother and tore himself away from tore himself away from the primary bond of the primary bond of belonging, loyalty and belonging, loyalty and love.love.

In his uncontrollable fear In his uncontrollable fear of the rats, Winston re-of the rats, Winston re-enacts that first act of enacts that first act of betrayal: he offers up betrayal: he offers up the body of the only the body of the only person he loves, as a person he loves, as a surrogate for his own. surrogate for his own. When he screams, "Do it When he screams, "Do it to Julia" - offering her as to Julia" - offering her as a human sacrifice to the a human sacrifice to the hungry rats - he hungry rats - he symbolically devours the symbolically devours the one he loves.one he loves.

101101

In Room 101 he can no longer stay "in front In Room 101 he can no longer stay "in front of" the wall of darkness: he is forced to get of" the wall of darkness: he is forced to get over to "the other side" (p.297). And as the over to "the other side" (p.297). And as the walls of the private self are being destroyed, walls of the private self are being destroyed, he feels that he is falling "through the floor, he feels that he is falling "through the floor, through the walls of the building, through the through the walls of the building, through the earth, through the oceans, through the earth, through the oceans, through the atmosphere, into outer space, into the gulfs atmosphere, into outer space, into the gulfs between the stars - always away, away, away between the stars - always away, away, away from the rats" (p.300)from the rats" (p.300)

Room 101Room 101

O'Brien's experiment was successful: O'Brien's experiment was successful: man is nothing but a beast who can man is nothing but a beast who can be degraded until he is deprived of be degraded until he is deprived of his will to become an instrument in his will to become an instrument in the hands of the Party.the hands of the Party.

Room 101Room 101

BUT the starved rats, just like the child BUT the starved rats, just like the child Winston, were themselves the victims of the Winston, were themselves the victims of the Party's brutality. Ultimately the real face Party's brutality. Ultimately the real face behind the mask-like cage of the rats is the behind the mask-like cage of the rats is the face of Big Brother himself - who turns his face of Big Brother himself - who turns his subjects into ferocious, hate-filled beings like subjects into ferocious, hate-filled beings like himself, forcing them to act out the ritual of himself, forcing them to act out the ritual of his own prime betrayal as human sacrifice.his own prime betrayal as human sacrifice.

Room 101Room 101

In effect, all the citizens of Oceania are kept In effect, all the citizens of Oceania are kept in their cage, systematically starved, in their cage, systematically starved, deprived of food, love, sexual and emotional deprived of food, love, sexual and emotional satisfaction, so that the Party may channel satisfaction, so that the Party may channel all their pent-up energy into the hysterical all their pent-up energy into the hysterical quest for new victims, leading to the equally quest for new victims, leading to the equally hysterical worship of their leader.hysterical worship of their leader.

101101

But if Room 101 But if Room 101 had always been had always been waiting for Winston waiting for Winston - as he had often - as he had often guessed and we guessed and we now know - then now know - then where is the shame where is the shame and personal and personal responsibility? responsibility?

Here is the novel's Here is the novel's complex moral complex moral paradox.paradox.

101101

For thirty years Winston's sense of guilt For thirty years Winston's sense of guilt has been a burden, but it also served as has been a burden, but it also served as a reminder that he still had a sense of a reminder that he still had a sense of personal loyalty and could feel shame. In personal loyalty and could feel shame. In fact, it was this mysterious sense of guilt fact, it was this mysterious sense of guilt or shame that made him start his search or shame that made him start his search for the Truth in the past, the search for the Truth in the past, the search which led ultimately to moral which led ultimately to moral regeneration.regeneration.

101101

Significantly, once Significantly, once he repeats his act of he repeats his act of betrayal, he no betrayal, he no longer carries the longer carries the burden of guilt - free burden of guilt - free of his sense of of his sense of humanity and basic humanity and basic moral attitudes moral attitudes defining the private defining the private self. self.

Once reborn, united Once reborn, united with the collective with the collective self of Oceania, he self of Oceania, he

is incapable of is incapable of regret or guilt regret or guilt

because he has no because he has no further claim to a further claim to a

private conscience.private conscience.

101101

Room 101 provides Room 101 provides

the climactic scene the climactic scene

of the novel in of the novel in

which all betrayals which all betrayals

are brought are brought

together in a series together in a series

of symbolic of symbolic

reversals reversals

Face-to-face through Face-to-face through zerozero: reduced to : reduced to

nothingness through fear nothingness through fear and shame, Winston faces and shame, Winston faces

the rats in himselfthe rats in himself Repetition after a Repetition after a

reversalreversal: repeating the : repeating the childhood trial, Winston childhood trial, Winston

reverts to another state of reverts to another state of childhoodchildhood

101101

Room 101 is at the heart of the Room 101 is at the heart of the

novel, wherein all betrayals are novel, wherein all betrayals are

brought together in a series of brought together in a series of

continuous, repeated reversals:continuous, repeated reversals: At the centre of the mythical (Oedipal), At the centre of the mythical (Oedipal),

political (totalitarian), and pyschological political (totalitarian), and pyschological

drama of betrayal.drama of betrayal.

It is here that any victim is turned It is here that any victim is turned victimiser by betraying his bond of private victimiser by betraying his bond of private loyalty. Paradoxically, it is precisely at this loyalty. Paradoxically, it is precisely at this point that he will finally be trapped, point that he will finally be trapped, 'chained' to become a true victim, willing 'chained' to become a true victim, willing to stay in his cage forever.to stay in his cage forever.

Ironically, it is by adjusting to the norm of Ironically, it is by adjusting to the norm of the majority that Winston has now the majority that Winston has now become, finally, insane. Having joined in become, finally, insane. Having joined in the collective insanity imposed on the the collective insanity imposed on the population by Big Brother, Winston now population by Big Brother, Winston now willingly joins the other rats in their cage.willingly joins the other rats in their cage.

10101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101101

Room 101Room 101 Alan KennedyAlan Kennedy argues that argues that 19841984 is not a is not a

prophecy or a warning but a challenge to our prophecy or a warning but a challenge to our ability to read criticallyability to read critically

Room 101 represents the enactment of the Room 101 represents the enactment of the state’s power – as an absolute bondage state’s power – as an absolute bondage between the state and its victimbetween the state and its victim

Reading against the grain of the novel, we Reading against the grain of the novel, we may reject O’Brien’s version of power by may reject O’Brien’s version of power by questioning the claim that all reality is in the questioning the claim that all reality is in the mind or available in the form of knowledgemind or available in the form of knowledge

‘‘The Inversion of Form: Deconstructing The Inversion of Form: Deconstructing 19841984’, in ’, in George OrwellGeorge Orwell, ed. by , ed. by Graham Holderness, Bryan Loughrey and Nahem Yousaf (Basingstoke: Graham Holderness, Bryan Loughrey and Nahem Yousaf (Basingstoke:

Macmillan 1998) Macmillan 1998)

Room 101Room 101 Erika Gottlieb argues that room 101 Erika Gottlieb argues that room 101

reveals the psychodynamics of reveals the psychodynamics of totalitarianism:totalitarianism: Why Western intellectuals were susceptible to Why Western intellectuals were susceptible to

the psychosis of nationalistic leader worshipthe psychosis of nationalistic leader worship Winston’s ordeal is that of Everyman – our Winston’s ordeal is that of Everyman – our

common humanity in confrontation with common humanity in confrontation with the dehumanising forces of totalitarianismthe dehumanising forces of totalitarianism

The mask-like rat’s cage symbolises loss of The mask-like rat’s cage symbolises loss of face and Winston’s guilt for denying the face and Winston’s guilt for denying the fundamental values of fundamental values of the private self

Dystopian Fiction East and West: Universe of Terror and TrialDystopian Fiction East and West: Universe of Terror and Trial. Montreal: . Montreal: McGill-Queen's UP, 2001 McGill-Queen's UP, 2001

Room 101Room 101 The efficiently repressive state The efficiently repressive state

induces in its subjects a perpetual induces in its subjects a perpetual state of guilt formed from the state of guilt formed from the knowledge of betrayal – betrayal of knowledge of betrayal – betrayal of the self, of others and ultimately of the self, of others and ultimately of Big Brother.Big Brother.

Room 101Room 101 In the 1930’s, U.S. psychologist, B.F. In the 1930’s, U.S. psychologist, B.F.

Skinner, extended the work of Ivan Pavlov Skinner, extended the work of Ivan Pavlov on conditioned reflexes in animals, by on conditioned reflexes in animals, by training a laboratory rat to press a small training a laboratory rat to press a small lever protruding from one wall of his lever protruding from one wall of his specially designed box in order to obtain a specially designed box in order to obtain a pellet of food.pellet of food.

In 1948 he published one of his most In 1948 he published one of his most controversial works, controversial works, Walden TwoWalden Two, a novel , a novel on life in a utopian community modelled on life in a utopian community modelled on his own principles of social engineering.on his own principles of social engineering.

NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOURNINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR

&&

Re-educating the self in Re-educating the self in Dystopian FictionDystopian Fiction