1984 by George Orwell

1. 1984 by George Orwell Background, author bio, and context for the classic post-apocalyptic speculative novel.

2. George Orwell (Arthur Blair) • 1903-1950 • English, private school teacher, reporter, editor, etc. • Vs. totalitarianism (Spanish Civil War), pro democratic socialism- (like Hemingway). • Animal Farm 1945 • 1984 (written 1948)

3. Orwell and Language • Politics and the English Language (1946) • Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print (cliché) • Never use a long word where a short one will do. • If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. • Never use the passive where you can use the active. • Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

4. Genre- speculative fiction • Speculation about extending what exists now into the future • Post-apocalyptic vision of post WW2 • Dystopic view of human nature = consider it a warning. • Totalitarian governments • The “dumbing down” of language.

5. A New World & New Culture • Orwell creates the entire world of the novel, loosely based on post-WW2 Europe / England. • Look for parallels to real England in 1945 and our contemporary society. • Know / define / explain the “new world” and its terminology.

6. Oceania • The world is divided into three major superpowers • Oceania = England,its colonies, S& Central America. • Eastasia = China • Eurasia = USSR + Europe • Disputed Territories = non-aligned nations no one cares about or are perpetually at war over. AIRSTRIP ONE used to be England

7. INGSOC - English Socialism • The Party = totalitarian government in control. • Feudal-style hierarchy. • Big Brother = leader • Inner / Outer Party • Proles = proletariat / workers • Nazis were National Socialists • Capitalism / communism

8. The Ministries - Gov’t • Ironically named, the four main Ministries are: • Ministry of Truth (minitru): controls news, arts, media, education, entertainment. Also includes the Pornosec division and FicDep and RecDep. • Ministry of Plenty (miniplenty): economics, trade, supplies • Ministry of Love (minilov): law & order • Ministry of Peace (minipax): war

9. Sacred Principles of INGSOC • Slogans used for propaganda (media designed to lie). • Paradox: seems incongruous / opposite but contains a truth of sorts. • War is Peace • Freedom is Slavery • Ignorance is Strength

10. Methods of Total Control • Totalitarian gov’ts used several methods to control citizens, remove critical thinking, and force conformity. • Telescreens: constant propaganda, distraction, monitor and transmit • Physical jerks: morning exercise, health, exhaustion, • Thought Police: paranoia, conformity • Hate Week: celebrate, holidays of hate • 2 Minutes Hate: interruption, focus rage • Newspeak: limits thought • Vaporization: fear, purges • Re-education at joycamp: torture / forced labour

11. Classes of Society • Proles are about 85% of the population. • get the prolefeed (trashy entertainment) • lots of Pornosec (the porn ministry) and can drink & engage in prostitution • Play the lottery that never pays out • distractions & “little joys” to keep the masses quiet (sex for enjoyment is considered sexcrime for Party members). • Few have telescreens • Viewed as animals by Party members.

12. Three Year Plans • Mockery of Chinese and Russian 5 year plans designed to pull agricultural societies into the 20th century. • Gov’t designed plans to increase production of goods (food, iron,boots). • Newsfeed proclaims over-production and met goals but proles go without.

13. Victory & living conditions • Poverty, ruin, disease, deprivation= norm • Basic food stuff rationed for proles • Ironically named: low quality products • Victory mansions = slums • Victory gin = rotgut • Victory cigarettes = dust & leaves • Chocrat= rations of low quality chocolate • Black market goods

14. Youth • In any society seeking to control citizens, children and youth are trained - indoctrination. • Similar techniques (Hitler Youth) used in WW2 • Junior Anti-Sex League: promotes celibacy, good sex (for babies only), elimination of enjoying sex (orgasm) because enjoyment and ownlife (individualism) thoughts are bad. • Junior Spies: children encouraged to spy on and report their neighbours, family members, friends, teachers, and anyone else for thoughtcrimes. • Artsem (artifical insemination) is preferable to sex.

15. Doublethink • Slogans used for propaganda (media designed to lie). • Paradox: seems incongruous / opposite but contains a truth of sorts. • War is Peace • Freedom is Slavery • Ignorance is Strength

16. Thought Crime • To even question the authority, principles, or power of INGSOC is a crime. • All crime begins with thought= thoughtcrime. • Facecrime = expressions wandering across your face giving away your feelings

17. Newspeak vs. Oldspeak • new•speak: politically correct, propagandistic language marked by euphemism, circumlocution, and the inversion of customary meanings; a language "designed to diminish the range of thought.” • Words are limited, ironically inverted = shorthand limits thought. • Double plus ungood = really bad

18. A state of perpetual war • Winston can’t remember when the nations weren’t at war. • Not sure who the war is against (switches enemies). • The primary aim of modern warfare is to use up the products of the machine without raising the general standard of living.

19. Surveilance Culture • Telescreens = no real privacy (can transmit & watch). • Paranoia of surveillance keeps control. • Spies, censorship, and police over-reaction = control