GEORGE ORWELL 1984

Utopian Literature Utopia: depicts society as it should be, usually as perfect or ideal Utopia: depicts society as it should be, usually as perfect or ideal

Dystopian Literature Dystopia (“anti-utopian”): depicts society as it should not be – usually critical of existing society and contains implicit warnings Dystopia (“anti-utopian”): depicts society as it should not be – usually critical of existing society and contains implicit warnings

Literary terms Allegory: a story that is a metaphor for another idea – characters represent bigger topics/concepts; visual allegory: blindfolded woman with a scale=justice Allegory: a story that is a metaphor for another idea – characters represent bigger topics/concepts; visual allegory: blindfolded woman with a scale=justice Paradox: a contradictory statement or a statement that goes against common sense – “the silence of night rings in my ears” – “I always lie” Paradox: a contradictory statement or a statement that goes against common sense – “the silence of night rings in my ears” – “I always lie” Situational Irony: what ends up happening is opposite to what you expected Situational Irony: what ends up happening is opposite to what you expected Dramatic Irony: the reader knows things the characters do not Dramatic Irony: the reader knows things the characters do not

Political terms Oligarchy: government run by a few people Oligarchy: government run by a few people Collectivism: Collectivism: The individual’s only value is the ability to sacrifice his/her happiness for the will of the group The individual’s only value is the ability to sacrifice his/her happiness for the will of the group The individual is only a tool to serve the group and must follow the rules/values of the group The individual is only a tool to serve the group and must follow the rules/values of the group Capitalism: Capitalism: The individual may live his/her life for his/her own happiness & earns the profits in free enterprise The individual may live his/her life for his/her own happiness & earns the profits in free enterprise The individual does not need permission from others, but lives by inalienable right The individual does not need permission from others, but lives by inalienable right

“isms” continued Industrialism: the large scale production of goods by machine is dominant (US) Industrialism: the large scale production of goods by machine is dominant (US) Socialism: government owns businesses and property and distributes profits (Soviet kulak system) Socialism: government owns businesses and property and distributes profits (Soviet kulak system) Totalitarianism: government has complete control over the citizens (Nazi Germany) Totalitarianism: government has complete control over the citizens (Nazi Germany) Communism: one party government and state ownership (People’s Republic of China) Communism: one party government and state ownership (People’s Republic of China) Proletariat: communist term for the working classes Proletariat: communist term for the working classes

“Conditions behind the vision” WWII: end of the most devastating war in history WWII: end of the most devastating war in history Winners of WWII immediately turned on each other: “COLD WAR” Winners of WWII immediately turned on each other: “COLD WAR” (Great Britain & United States vs. Soviet Union) (Great Britain & United States vs. Soviet Union) Recent defeat of two dictators Recent defeat of two dictators HITLER: Germany HITLER: Germany MUSSOLINI: Italy MUSSOLINI: Italy Recent success of two dictators Recent success of two dictators FRANCO: Spain FRANCO: Spain STALIN: Soviet Union STALIN: Soviet Union

Eric Blair 1903 –born in India 1903 –born in India 1904 – family moves to England, enrolls Eric in prep school 1904 – family moves to England, enrolls Eric in prep school 1917 – enters Eton College, an upper class private school 1917 – enters Eton College, an upper class private school – Imperial Service policeman in Burma – Imperial Service policeman in Burma

George Orwell – Eric returns to England to lead a “rootless existence” under the pseudonym GEORGE ORWELL – Eric returns to England to lead a “rootless existence” under the pseudonym GEORGE ORWELL Publishes first novel Down and Out in Paris and London Publishes first novel Down and Out in Paris and London 1936 – marries Eileen O'Shaughnessy 1936 – marries Eileen O'Shaughnessy 1937 – goes to Spain as a war correspondent, stays to fight as a Loyalist to Spain, is wounded by a shot to the throat (Spanish Civil War) 1937 – goes to Spain as a war correspondent, stays to fight as a Loyalist to Spain, is wounded by a shot to the throat (Spanish Civil War)

Health & Family 1944 – adopts a son, Richard Horatio Blair 1944 – adopts a son, Richard Horatio Blair 1945 –Finally financially successful due to Animal Farm, but Eileen dies during surgery 1945 –Finally financially successful due to Animal Farm, but Eileen dies during surgery 1948 – completes 1984 which was originally titled The Last Man in Europe even though ill from TB 1948 – completes 1984 which was originally titled The Last Man in Europe even though ill from TB 1949 –Marries Sonia Brownwell 1949 –Marries Sonia Brownwell 1950 – Dies from TB on Jan – Dies from TB on Jan. 21

is “a warning against the twin evils of Nazism and Stalinism, whose influence, although diminished, is still a threat to human virtue and liberty everywhere.” 1984 is “a warning against the twin evils of Nazism and Stalinism, whose influence, although diminished, is still a threat to human virtue and liberty everywhere.”

Questions to Ask Who or what is government and what is its role? Who or what is government and what is its role? What does it mean to be human and have humanity? What does it mean to be human and have humanity? Can humans lose their humanity? Under what conditions? Can humans lose their humanity? Under what conditions? Can an entire society lack humanity? Can an entire society lack humanity? What are examples of societies that have lost or acted against basic humanity? What are examples of societies that have lost or acted against basic humanity? Can you see any instances of our current society in which we may be losing our humanity? Can you see any instances of our current society in which we may be losing our humanity?

Like 1984? Other Dystopia novels: Other Dystopia novels: Iron Heel (1907) Jack London Iron Heel (1907) Jack London Brave New World (1932) Aldous Huxley Brave New World (1932) Aldous Huxley We (1959) Eugene Zamyatin We (1959) Eugene Zamyatin All three show the negative impact of western technology, world wars, and totalitarianism. All three show the negative impact of western technology, world wars, and totalitarianism.