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Introduction to. 1984 . By George Orwell. Setting . London, England – aka “Airstrip One” Written in 1948 about the future. Government = Totalitarian Dictatorship Big Brother: symbol and glorified persona Inner Party: intellectuals devoted to Party Outer Party: powerless middle class
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Introduction to 1984 By George Orwell
Setting • London, England – aka “Airstrip One” • Written in 1948 about the future. • Government = Totalitarian Dictatorship • Big Brother: symbol and glorified persona • Inner Party: intellectuals devoted to Party • Outer Party: powerless middle class • The Proles: the “subhuman workers”
Genre: Dystopia • Dystopia = a perfect society gone wrong • Orwell warns against what could happen in the future based on the atrocities and dictators that gained power in WWII. • The rise of totalitarian government. • The use of science and technology to regulate or brainwash society • The distortion of truth through rhetoric (persuasive speech) • The restricting of individual freedoms
Terms to Know • Newspeak: The official language of Oceania, words shortened and simplified for communication (resulting in less thought). This eliminates undesirable words (and hopefully ideas). • Ingsoc: English Socialism (The belief system that guides the principles of Oceania).
Terms to Know cont’d… • Doublethink: willingly accepting and believing two contradictory ideas at the same time. • Telescreen: a two-way television screen that shows advertisements/announcements/propoganda, and can see and hear everything. Monitored by the Thought Police.
Three Countries, Always at War. Oceania Eurasia Eastasia Yellow: The land they fight for.
Things to Think About • What is Orwell’s ultimate message about • The use of fear? • Mass manipulation? • Isolation and Individualism? • How does this novel connect with or parallel our society today? • Is this capable of happening in OUR future? • How often do we accept our values from outside culture/government?
Remember • The book is supposed to be set in the future, not the actual 1984. Think of it as “2050”. • Winston has flashbacks and dreams at times, so ask questions if you get confused.