1984

1. 1984 By: George Orwell

2. George Orwell • Name: Eric Arthur Blair • Born: June 25, 1903 India • Died: January 21, 1950 • He was known by his pen name George Orwell • English novelist, journalist and critic • Best known for Animal Farm and 1984

3. 1984 • George Orwell wrote 1984 as a futuristic novel of what could happen if the Soviet Union were to expand their totalitarian government throughout Europe.

4. Foundation • Setting: This Novel is set in the city of London, in the country of Airstrip One, in the nation of Oceania. In the year 1984 (future for the time it was written) • Point of view: Third Person Limited

5. Main Characters • Winston Smith - A minor member of the ruling Party, Winston Smith hates the totalitarian government, he wants to start a revolution against Big Brother. • Julia - Winston Smith’s lover, a beautiful dark-haired girl, she works with Winston Smith in the Ministry of Truth • O’Brien - A powerful member of the Inner Party, Winston Smith thinks O’Brien is a member of the Brotherhood, the legendary group of anti-Party rebels. • Mr. Charrington- An old man that owns a store in the prole district, Winston Smith thinks that he also wants to be a part of the revolution, but it turns out he is part of the thought police. • Syme - He is an intelligent man who works with Winston at the Ministry of Truth (dictionary), he knows to much for his own good. • Parsons - He is the ideal citizen for Big Brother, he is dull, fat and obnoxious.

6. Part 1: Awakening • Winston Smith lives in Oceania • He does not like where he lives because they prohibit free thoughts, sex and even close friendships • He buys a Diary to write his thoughts (this is illegal) • On his free time he likes to be in the prole district(the poorest district because they don’t have much monitoring from Big Brother)

7. Part 2: Rebellion • There is a girl that Winston Smith likes her name is Julia • One day she gives him a note that says she loves him (this is a relief for Winston) • They start having an affair (this is the first step in their rebellion) • They rent a room in the prole district because there is no monitor there • One day O’Brien comes to them and says he is part of the Brotherhood and gives them a book, Winston reads the book then the thought police comes in and arrests them because Mr. Charrington (store owner)turned them in.

8. Part 3: Re-education • Winston is taken to the Ministry of Love here he is tortured to try and “cure” him • O'Brien reviles that he is not part of the Brotherhood and just tricked him to capture him. • He is tortured for months but his soul remains strong until one day he is sent to room 101 here he is threatened with his worst fear (rats), O’Brien says that he will let the rats eat through his face, at this point Winston Breaks and pleads that O’Brien do this to Julia instead • Winston is set free because his soul has broken and he is no longer a threat • The book ends with Winston saying that he loves Big Brother

9. Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLFIxt2cK_0

10. Quotes • “He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” • “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” • “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” • “Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.”

11. Symbolism • Rats • Worst fear/ defeat • Diary • Hope for a better future/ Rebellion • Big Brother • Your worst enemy (although we don’t see Big Brother at all)

12. Themes • The Dangers of Totalitarianism • Psychological control of People (mind control) • The control of “History” • Love • Hope