Critical Readings Flashcards
feminist perspective of 1984
seeks to challenge the representation and portrayal of women in the book as well as the patriarchal values and gender stereotypes it endorses
feminist interpretation of Julia’s character
Julia has limited character development herself and exists mainly to further Winston’s own development
some criticise her portrayal as problematic — she is passive and accepting, only rebelling for herself and possessing no wider capacity or ambition to change the system, she accepts the rule of the Party
she also laughs when Winston says he wanted to kill her
where can misogyny be seen in the book?
Winston frequently talks about violence and hatred towards women
he wanted to rape and murder Julia
Marxist perspective of 1984: the proles
many critics frown upon the representation of proles, arguing that their portrayal is due to Orwell’s own position in the upper class and resulting inability to understand the working class
the proles are undeveloped, plot devices that are stereotypical and presented as mentally inferior and unintelligent — they lack the capacity to even realise their own oppression let alone stand up against it
they argue that the book perpetuates the idea that the working class are ignorant and inferior
counter argument to the Marxist perspective
the portrayal of the proles may be to exaggerate the class divides and impacts of the Party, which is necessary to the plot
moralist perspective
the book is a clear attack on totalitarianism and functions as a warning against it
attempts to increase our understanding of the features and dangers of it, frighten us and enables us to see the absurdities of such absolute control
psychoanalytical perspective
Winston is psychologically depressed, forbidden to express emotion or any form of free thought
the book explores the impacts of such repression on the individual as well as the wider destruction of human nature
