1. 1984 George Orwell George Orwell

2. “Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” - George Orwell

3. George Orwell – 1903 - 1950 Born in India Eric Blair Educated in England Imperial Police Shaped by India/Burma Shaped by India/Burma Aware of injustice Aware of injustice Motivation to write Motivation to write

4. George Orwell – 1903 - 1950 Anarchist turned socialist Fought against Franco BBC propagandist

5. George Orwell – 1903 - 1950 Animal Farm (1945) A protest against Stalin A protest against Stalin 1984 (1949) Reaction to post WWII Reaction to post WWII Died in 1950 of TB

6. Why Read 1984? It is as relevant today as it was 60 years ago Themes that we all can relate to: Government control Government control Privacy and Freedom Privacy and Freedom Human Rights Human Rights Abuse of Power Abuse of Power Power of Language Power of Language Propaganda and Media Propaganda and Media

7. 1984 in our popular culture David Bowie’s song: Inspired by the novel Inspired by the novel Written in 1973 Written in 1973 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH9WnSOISv0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH9WnSOISv0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH9WnSOISv0 Someday they won't let you, so now you must agree The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn't free You've read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on TV Beware the savage jaw Of 1984 Someday they won't let you, so now you must agree The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn't free You've read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on TV Beware the savage jaw Of 1984

8. 1984 still in our popular culture Steve Jobs introducing the Mac Shown only once: January 22, 1984 Shown only once: January 22, 1984 Super Bowl airing Super Bowl airing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tWvmk4Y 0gw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tWvmk4Y 0gw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tWvmk4Y 0gw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tWvmk4Y 0gw

9. 1984 still in our popular culture In 2000 the show Big Brother debuted Big Brother debuted The show’s basis is having people under constant watch The show’s basis is having people under constant watch Based on the novel’s premise Based on the novel’s premise Orwell’s estate sued CBS over the name Orwell’s estate sued CBS over the name

10. 1984 still in our popular culture Musicians refer to the novel frequently A few examples: Radiohead: “2 + 2 = 5” Radiohead: “2 + 2 = 5” Rage Against the Machine: “Who controls the past now, controls the future / Who controls the present now controls the past“ (“Testify”) Rage Against the Machine: “Who controls the past now, controls the future / Who controls the present now controls the past“ (“Testify”) Incubus – “Come one come all into 1984” (“Talk Show on Mute”) Incubus – “Come one come all into 1984” (“Talk Show on Mute”)

11. Some more facts Published in 1949 Still a worldwide best-seller Voted in the UK Guardian as most “definitive” novel of the 20 th century

12. The Dystopian 1984 society a flawless totalitarian society the individual is of literally no significance the individual is of literally no significance

13. Why read about dystopias? The critic Bernard Richards once said “dystopias are useful; they warn us about what might happen”. The critic Bernard Richards once said “dystopias are useful; they warn us about what might happen”.

14. Why read about dystopias? We like to read about death and corruption, as long as we know that it can't happen to us. We like to read about death and corruption, as long as we know that it can't happen to us. But is that really true? But is that really true? Could it really happen to us? Could it really happen to us? Dystopian novels are not science fiction in that they have plots where the scenario CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN! Dystopian novels are not science fiction in that they have plots where the scenario CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN!

15. Two basic premises to the form: Nasty Things Happen but Everything Turns out Right. Nasty Things Happen but Everything Turns out Right. Nasty Things Happen but Despite Everyone's Best Efforts the Establishment Wins. Nasty Things Happen but Despite Everyone's Best Efforts the Establishment Wins.

16. The Individual Low Low Uniform Uniform Powerless Powerless Obedient Obedient Individuality is stamped out Individuality is stamped out

17. The Nature of POWER An individual corrupt dictator or a corrupt governmental entity An individual corrupt dictator or a corrupt governmental entity Absolute control over citizens Absolute control over citizens Freedom is crushed Freedom is crushed No civil liberties No civil liberties No rights No rights No voice No voice

18. Communication and Language Almost non-existent Almost non-existent Meaningless Meaningless Artificial Artificial unnatural unnatural In 1984 English vocabulary gets smaller every year. In 1984 English vocabulary gets smaller every year.

19. Communication and Language One can control thoughts through communication One can control thoughts through communication Less language leaves no room for connotation or doubt: the meaning is pure denotation Less language leaves no room for connotation or doubt: the meaning is pure denotation Without nuance in language, there can be no creative thought Without nuance in language, there can be no creative thought Without connotation there can be no subversive thought. Without connotation there can be no subversive thought. The individual cannot express himself because he doesn’t have the words to do so, hence he is thoughtless. The individual cannot express himself because he doesn’t have the words to do so, hence he is thoughtless.

20. General form, etc. Fiction Winston is the protagonist Written in third person omniscient We are in Winston’s mind and are privy to his thoughts. His unique perspective We are in Winston’s mind and are privy to his thoughts. His unique perspective Set in London – constant wartime

21. Orwell’s writing Simple without a lot of “flourish” Difficult concepts but straightforward diction Tone is dismal, gloomy, matter of fact – so Orwell allows us to experience Winston’s world

22. Orwell’s writing tips: Politics and the English Language He berates writers for: He berates writers for: Pretentious diction Meaningless words

23. Orwell’s tips #1 Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

24. Orwell’s tips #2 Never use a long word where a short word will do

25. Orwell’s tips #3 If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

26. Orwell’s tips #4 Never use the passive where you can use the active.

27. Orwell’s tips #5 Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

28. Orwell’s tips #6 Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous

29. Original New York Times review http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/articles/c ol-nyt1984.htm www.netcharles.com/orwell/articles/c ol-nyt1984.htmwww.netcharles.com/orwell/articles/c ol-nyt1984.htm

30. Miscellaneous Privacy today? Who is watching you? Why?