1984 test Flashcards
I. Dystopian Characteristics
Totalitarian Government:
Surveillance: Telescreens, the Thought Police
Loss of Individuality: stripped of personal freedoms and individuality.
Manipulation of Truth: Historical revisionism
Ministry
Ministry of love ( torture, law and order)
Ministry of truth ( news, education)
Ministry of plenty ( economy)
Ministry of peace ( war)
What are some ways the Party controls the citizens of Oceania?
Big brother is always watching them, lie about history, telescreens,
How does surveillance affect Winston’s behavior?
Causes him to be cautious when hes being watched, causes him to struggle when he thinks things against the party
Theme
- Totalitarianism and oppression
- manipulation of truth
3.freedom vs oppression ( winston desire for freedom is crushed by party desire for oppression
4.Power of language ( newspeak)
Big brother symbol
Represents the Party’s omnipresence and surveillance.
- tryanny and opression
THe paperweight symbol
Symbolizes Winston and Julia’s fragile hope for a private life.
Room 101
Represents individual fears and the ultimate power of the Party to break resistance.
How is Julia characterized through her actions?
Intuitive, pragmatic, rebellious, naive , likes to live in the moment- she doesnt care about destroying party but js to quench her own desires
What does Winston’s physical appearance tell us about his internal struggles?
His physical appearance is frail and he lives in discomfort just like his emotions. His ulcer wound represents the wounds caused by oppressive place he lives in
Characters
O’Brien: A high-ranking Party member who betrays Winston.
Big Brother: The figurehead of the Party’s totalitarian rule.
Mr. Charrington: Shopkeeper and undercover Thought Police agent.
Syme: A Party member and linguist working on Newspeak who is later vaporized.
Parsons: A loyal Party member betrayed by his own children.
What motivates Julia’s rebellion compared to Winston’s?
Her rebellion against the Party is small and personal, for her own enjoyment, in contrast to Winston’s ideological motivation.
Paradox
“War is Peace”
“Freedom is Slavery”
“Ignorance is Strength”
Historical Allusions:
Stalinists russia, nazi germany, world war 2 , spannish civil war ( fascism)
Literary Allusions:
Orwell references Shakespeare to highlight contrasts between freedom and oppression.