George Orwell 1984

THE THINGS THEY CARRIED~ A NOVEL EXAMINING THE PAST Contesting the idea that we can know the truth Examining the historical truth, the factual truth, the seeming truth Author declares it a work of fiction Readers generate their own definition of the war story and what the author intended

1984: A NOVEL THAT SUGGESTS A FUTURE The author, George Orwell lived from Politically motivated writer~ identified as a socialist Wrote novels, numerous articles and non- fiction pieces Wrote 1984 in 1948

CONTEXT OF 1984 Written in 1948, 3 years after the end of World War 2 World still in a state of uncertainty after the traumas of war Huge divide emerging between Communist USSR and capitalist West Beginning of the ‘Cold War’

FICTION THAT PREDICTS A FUTURE: UTOPIAN AND DYSTOPIAN Utopian: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.

DYSTOPIAN A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state.

DYSTOPIAN CHARACTERISTICS CON’T The natural world is banished and distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

TYPES OF DYSTOPIAN CONTROLS Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Technological control: Society is controlled by technology— through computers, robots, and/or scientific means Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

THE DYSTOPIAN PROTAGONIST Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape. Questions the existing social and political systems. Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives. Helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

SETTING The novel is set in a future British society, years after a nuclear war has occurred Society is split into two groups~ Party members and Proles Individual freedom does not exist Party members are constantly watched for signs of disagreement with the party

CHARACTERS Winston Smith: the protagonist in the story, a party member who resents the control the party exerts Big Brother: the semi-mythical leader of the Party. Images of his face are omnipresent in society

FIRST READING ASSIGNMENT: READ BOOK 1 BY MONDAY + READING LOG Reading Log Entry: 3 Quote Analyses One Response to Text Newspeak Dictionary Let's listen together! For tomorrow, read chapters 1—2 and complete at least one quote analysis on your reading log.