1. Why 1984?

2. History 1984 was written in 1948 and published in 1949: 1984 was a 35 year glimpse into the future. This was Orwell’s warning against what would happen if the totalitarian tendencies continued. (Stalin, Hitler) Through his world, the themes of the book emerged...

3. THEMES Isolation Repression Loneliness The characters lead surface lives that are facades put up for the benefit of appearances

4. Genre “Soft” Science Fiction based in political science Satire: Use of irony and paradox (party mottos, for example) Dystopia

5. Part 1 Winston Smith Description of squalid living conditions Superpowers: Eastasia, Eurasia, Oceania Perpetual war keeps citizens oppressed Supplies scarce Constant surveillance is a perfect art

6. Plot Basics Significance of the diary? Forays into the proletarian section Encounter with young woman Knows he is not to watch her and suspects her of being a spy