1. English 10 Honors

2.  Plot lines follow one of two directions: Terrible things happen to the characters, and they...  Escape their fate --OR -- The establishment wins

3.  Act I – Exposition  Explain parameters of society  Introduce characters – often they have no idea what happened to create the world in which they live.  Precipitous event toward end that introduces conflict & begins rising action

4.  Act II contains most of rising action  Follows attempts of main character to either escape or change the society  Climax – turning point occurs end of Act II or beginning of Act III

5.  Act III contains falling action  Theme is derived from resolution of the plot If attempt to escape is successful or if the dystopian society is changed, novel has a positive theme If attempts at escape and change fail, the theme is negative

6.  A representative of the powerful, those in control  A representative of the “typical” citizen, happy w/ society and seemingly unaware of its flaws  Sometimes staunchly patriotic; cannot comprehend others’ dissatisfaction  Sometimes naïve, simple  Sometimes passive/philosophical; aware of flaws but accept them and not necessarily troubled. Believe there is no need or point in trying to change

7.  At least one character disenfranchised by the society who desires either escape or change.  Sometimes begin the novel loving society and holding high rank, but events cause change in beliefs  Sometimes begin already disliking society; often desire change but feel powerless to effect change

8.  Narrative point of view is almost always from the inside – either member of society itself or someone who enter and is adopted by society - 1 st or 3 rd limited

9.  Individual is worth nothing more than his/her value as part of government machine  Power can reside in single dictator or larger governmental organization  Major forms of control  Communication, education, mass media, pop culture  Military control can be a factor but to lesser extent than other more subtle forms of social control

10.  The controlling body (person or party) uses pop culture to distract its members and thus control them  The controlling body finds and uses a scapegoat to deflect blame for suffering of the people

11.  Real Name: Eric Arthur Blair  D.O.B.: June 25, 1903  Location: Motihari, India  Father, Richard Blair, worked for the Indian Imperial Service  Settled in England at the age of one.  Attended Anglican Parish School for two years  After two years, enrolled in St. Cyprian’s School in Sussex  Attended Eton for college, where Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World taught him French

12.  Followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Indian Civil Service 1922  Worked in Burma – liked the Burmese people, hated being a part of the oppressive imperialist government.  Inspired to write essays such as:  “A Hanging” (1931)  “Shooting an Elephant” (1936)  Served BBC during WWII, developed propaganda to gain support in India & E. Asia for British war effort  Becomes strong opponent of using language to deceive and manipulate  Left Indian Civil Service in 1927

13.  Moved to Paris, where he struggled to get published  Worked menial jobs that barely paid him  Suffered from pneumonia, and after recovering moved to London  Adopted the name “George Orwell” when he wrote to avoid embarrassing his family.  Wrote “Down and Out in Paris and London” about his experiences  Published Animal Farm in 1945 – allegory decrying excesses of Stalin’s brutality  Published 1984 in 1949  Died in 1950 of tuberculosis  More known throughout his life as a journalist, posthumously as a novelist