Orwell’s Dystopia Revision PowerPoint Nineteen Eighty-Four Orwell’s Dystopia Revision PowerPoint

Literary Significance One of the most influential political novels of our century Added vocabulary to our everyday speech Fascinating plot and vivid characters Although the year 1984 has passed, the questions Orwell leaves us with remain relevant today

Historical Background Written in 1949 – Orwell dying of tuberculosis – wanted to perfect political writing as art. WWII ends in 1945 – Orwell still left with questions. Personal experiences that he had (Imperial Army in Burma, fighting in Spain against General Franco) led him to mistrust politics except for Socialism.

A definition of Socialism “A system based on public ownership of the means of production and distribution of wealth”. People have the power/governments work for the people More even distribution of wealth INGSOC is meant to stand for English Socialism – does it? Karl Marx if you want to know more

More Historical Background Great parallels between the text and Stalin’s history. Clearly the inspiration for Big Brother. Russian Socialist Revolution (1917) – Lenin becomes leader (Bolshevik Party). At first, great reform including five-year plans for economy, collectivisation of farms, nationalisation of industry, liberation of thought and art.

More Historical Background cont’d. Intellectuals around the world inspired by Bolshevism. Lenin dies in 1924, Stalin becomes leader. He is charismatic, but tyrannical. Stalin purges party intellectuals to get rid of competition. Key opponent was Trotsky – represented by Goldstein.

Even More Historical Background Stalin’s opponents forced into exile Stalin begins the KGB – crucial to retaining his power, much like the Thought Police Clearly, Orwell is envisaging a world that has continued along this path. Real Socialism (supported by Orwell) has been subverted.

Themes Dangers of Totalitarianism The Attack on Privacy The Control of Language The Destruction of History The Attack on Sex The Value of Memory The Appreciation on the Past The Fallibility of the Human Mind

Symbols/Motif Urban decay (motif) Big Brother Paperweight/rhyme “The Place Where there is no Darkness” Red-armed prole woman Winston’s diary

Analysis of Major Characters Remember that other than themes, character analyses are among you more common essay questions.

Winston Smith Late 30s, lonely, in poor health, separated Alienated by his awareness/intellectual Rebels - diary/Julia Sexually frustrated Needs to understand the past Afraid of rats Is broken in the end "But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." pg 300

Julia Young, beautiful, sensual Devious – plans trysts and pretends well Small scale rebellion Not intellectual Longs to be feminine O’Brien says she gives up easily Loses her sensuality at the end "she only questioned the teachings of the Party when they in some way touched upon her own life. Often she was ready to accept the official mythology, simply because the difference between truth and falsehood did not seem important to her." pg 154

O’Brien Complex/paradoxical Burly and imposing, wears glasses and adjusts them – “refined” Tormentor/saviour ''Do you remember writing in your diary …'that it did not matter whether I was a friend or an enemy, since I was at least a person who understood you and could be talked to? You were right. I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind except that you happen to be insane.' pg. 271

Minor Characters of Interest Syme – represents the Party’s unwillingness to allow unique minds to exist. He is vaporised. “One of these days, thought Winston with sudden deep conviction, Syme will be vaporized. He is too intelligent… The Party does not like such people”. Parsons – a typically orthodox man. His imprisonment at the end reinforces the injustice of the system “…one of those completely unquestioning, devoted drudges on whom…the stability of the Party depended." —pg 22

Clever Things to Discuss Newspeak – use in your essay and discuss as a method of mind control Proles – Winston/Orwell thinks they might be the only hope Past artefacts and Winston’s obsession Expression of energy through 2 mins hate Telescreens Winston’s memories and dreams What do Winston and Julia get out of their relationship with each other?

More Clever Things…. Children are evil – new generation The inherent contradiction of party slogans Tease out the relationship between Winston and O’Brien Goldstein’s book – true or false? Winston’s betrayal of Julia – the last of his humanity?

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU Key Quotes WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU

Key Quotes cont’d “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death." —pg 27 “Who controls the past …controls the future: who controls the present controls the past." —pg 32 “If there was hope, it must lie in the proles..” – pg 60 “We are the dead”.

Study Tips Form a group. Each of you writes or researches as many essay topics as possible. Then discuss how you would answer them. Write practices and send them to your teacher. Ask your teacher for discussion/essay topics Re-read the book! Learn Newspeak – the language of this book is really important Learn key quotes Create a timeline of events