BNW, 1984, and Our Society Final Project Examples 2015

Sample Thesis: Authority figures use language that limits behavior to create passive citizens which is dangerous because their passivity inevitably leads to imposed social order and less individual freedom. Red = stopping movement, progress, change, growth Brown = stability, comfort, reliable – all based on perception Blue = order, security, calm, unity – all based on perception

1984 “But the proles, if they could only somehow become conscious of their own strength, would have no need to conspire” (Orwell 60). Denotation: maybe, not certain, not likely. Connotation: Proles are limited by their unrealized opportunity which implies their passivity because no action has been taken yet. Their power is great; however, they are symbolically sleeping which shows their orderly existence. Denotation: develops, changes, a process of movement Connotation: This word implies forward action; however, it’s juxtaposed with the adverb “somehow” which reveals that the Proles would have strength over the government if they could just summon a little movement. But their lack of awareness limits their rebellion or demonstration of their strength. Theme: Being the bottom rung of society, the Proles are comfortable in the security their authority figures provide by having all their known needs taken care of. Their passivity is created by their lack of awareness which keeps them behaving orderly. They do not exert their strength, because they do not even know it exists. This intellectual limit results in them being passive which ultimately creates more order for the government.

1984 “But the proles, if they could only somehow become conscious of their own strength, would have no need to conspire” (Orwell 60). Denotation: maybe, not certain, not likely. Connotation: Proles have an unrealized opportunity which leaves them passive because no action has been taken yet. Their power is so great, however, they are sleeping through existence. Denotation: develops, changes, a process of movement Connotation: This word implies forward action; however, it’s juxtaposed with the adverb “somehow” which reveals that the Proles would have strength over the government if they could just summon a little movement. But their lack of awareness limits their rebellion or demonstration of their strength. Visual Display: Red = Stop Signs which tells a driver to stop moving. Red here symbolizes the Proles’ limits on their behavior. Thought Bubbles = ideas. Ideas are simply thoughts in one’s head that may become words or actions, but are not yet. This possibility of actuality connects to the denotation of the words “if” and “become.” The blue outline of the thought bubble symbolizes the stability and order the government attains by placing limits on the Proles’ thoughts. The wispy font looks informal and airy which again reinforces unrealized potential that lacks real substance.

Brave New World Follow the same steps and ideas for the BNW quotes as the 1984 quotes.

Our Society – Hunger Games “Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. Spark is fine, as long as it’s. ” President Snow, Hunger Games contained Denotation: small, less than, miniature, slight, Connotation: Here the adjective describes the measurement of hope the citizens of Panem are allowed to experience. The Capital gives them just enough freedom to suppress the citizens’ strength and desire for a better life. By allowing just a “little” possibility, the citizens do not strive for more, ultimately making them passive observers instead of active changers in their society. Denotation: limited, controlled, kept, watched, measured Connotation: Here the adjective describes the spark which is a metaphor for hope. The citizens are allowed to care a little, desire a little, have a certain amount of passion, but they cannot go outside of their pre-determined boundaries of these emotions. When one must operate inside walls, he/she eventually becomes passive and doesn’t desire what’s on the outside. Theme: The goal of Panem is to make its citizens believe they have power or freedom over their own lives when in reality they do not. Fire that is not allowed to grown, will eventually die out from lack of oxygen. This metaphor is used to describe the citizens’ lack of hope – their lack of believing in a better life from the one given to them by their authority figures. “Little” and “contained” keeps the citizens passive and therefore, easily controlled.

Our Society – Hunger Games “Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. Spark is fine, as long as it’s. ” President Snow, Hunger Games contained Denotation: small, less than, miniature, slight, Connotation: Here the adjective describes the measurement of hope the citizens of Panem are allowed to experience. The Capital gives them just enough freedom to suppress the citizens’ strength and desire for a better life. By allowing just a “little” possibility, the citizens do not strive for more ultimately making them passive observers instead of active changers in their society. Denotation: limited, controlled, kept, watched, measured Connotation: Here the adjective describes the spark which is a metaphor for hope. The citizens are allowed to care a little, desire a little, have a certain amount of passion, but they cannot go outside of their pre-determined boundaries of these emotions. When one must operate inside walls, he/she eventually becomes passive and doesn’t desire what’s on the outside. Font Size = visually represents the literal definition of the diction choice. Red = represents limits, much like a red Stop Sign is intended to limit movement. Brown = the color brown means comfort, stability, and simplicity. All of these adjectives describe the goals of the Panem government over its citizens. Boxes = visually represent limits which is the goal of Panem. Even the name “snow” implies innocence and beauty. However, this president’s name juxtaposes these traditional meanings because he destroys and controls all who oppose his way of thinking.

Other Possible “Authority figures” to fit example thesis: Authority figures use language that limits behavior to create passive citizens which is dangerous because their passivity inevitably leads to imposed social order and less individual freedom. Principals school handbooks Teacherssyllabus/class expectations Employers work contracts Parents parental magazines Presidents legislation, press release, speeches