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

He strongly opposed Stalin and Hitler -- he was very outspoken during WWII

What Orwell Saw….. Economic depression in

the 1930’s High unemployment Shortages of money,

housing, and food Restrictions on daily life

and rations

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

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

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

1984: Setting and Genre Futuristic, cautionary

novel Setting: London, in the

mythical country of Oceania, 1984 (in the future)

1984: Setting and Genre

Ingsoc – English Socialism, its principles guide the state of Oceania

Telescreens are everywhere! They are two way television screens.

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

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

Winston Smith

He secretly hates Big Brother and harbors revolutionary dreams

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.

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

Characters: Mr. Charrington He is a kind and

encouraging old man who runs a second-hand shop in the prole district.

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

1984: Oceania Oceania- huge

country ruled by The Party, led by “Big Brother”

Government is a totalitarian dictatorship.

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”

1984: Oceania’s Enemy The Brotherhood-

An underground rebellion organization

Emmanuel Goldstein is in charge of the Brotherhood

1984: Newspeak

Newspeak is the official language of Oceania

The goal of the Party is to have Newspeak replace Oldspeak (standard English)

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.

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

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?

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.

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

George Orwell