Info/Interpretations 1984 Flashcards
What are the four ministries?
Ministry of love (torture and imprisonment)
Ministry of peace (responsible for war)
Ministry of plenty (deals with rations and food shortages)
Ministry of truth (creates and releases propaganda)
Information and interpretations of the ministry of love
The Ministry of love is the building for torture and imprisonment. This of course makes it ironic as its the exact opposite of ‘loving’, emphasising the propoganda and control they exert.
It has no windows and is surrounded by military barricades and machine gun turrets.
The symbolism of there being no windows is broad, it firstly prevents any sunlight, a motif for hope and purity.
But it also acts in a more sinister way to prevent anyone outside seeing what is happening on the inside and vice versa, nobody inside even knows what time of day it is, and nobody on the outside knows they are in there.
Connotations of the name ‘Winston Smith’
This is two of the most common names from the time, this emphasises that he is an ordinary man who is forced to live a drastic life due to his extraordinary circumstances.
It also shows that he is not an exception in Oceana and his experience is in no way extraordinary in this world.
Connotations of the name ‘O’brien’
His first name is never revealed, showing he is powerful enough to achieve this, or we are not important enough to know it. It may also foreshadow his later betrayal of Winston and the fact that he is keeping things from not only Winston but also the reader about his true identity.
Note this technique is also used in regards to Mr.Charrington.
Connotations of the name ‘Big Brother’
This presents him as caring, suggesting a relationship between an older sibling, looking out for their younger siblings.
This also puts him in the position of power over the “younger siblings” who represent the people of Oceana.
This makes the relationship feel more personal. Refer to the “Cult of personality” that is used here (where the regime is given a face and personified, Big Brother is an example of this as he likely doesn’t exist)
What is 1984 written in? (structure)
Most of 1984 is written in “free direct discourse”, this means the character’s thoughts/opinion are voiced through narration (third-person) This way it also has a “limited narrative viewpoint”, meaning we only know what Winston does, an effective technique in dystopia as it emphasises their control and oppression.
This way you get their opinion of things, an important aspect of dystopia as the characters perspective. Is very important for the plot.
The book also uses the diary format, this helps to show Winston’s internal thoughts and contradictions.
What is the struture of 1984?
Structurally, 1984 takes the form of a tragic romance. tells the story of two people who fall in love but are ultimately doomed to fail.We see this in Winston and Julia, their relationship will eventually get them killed and they are aware of this.
The book also presents a cyclical structure via the seasons. Starting in April and ending in May, a message that while Winstons life has changed drastically, he has caused no change, and it will just start again. Power is permanent.
Where is Winston when he visits the golden country in his dreams?
In the Ministry of love.
Ironically, while in the ministry of love he dreams of O’Brien being there (in the golden country), this seems odd as he is his torturer and responsible for his capture. Yet to Winston he has become his only friend, this acts as an example of ‘doublethink’ as he is able to hold someone in his minds as both a friend and torturer.
What is the bird Winston and Julia listen to in the golden country and what is its significance?
Julia and Winston listen to a Thrush sing when they are in the golden country, the bird here symbolises freedom and rebellion towards the party.
This section is influenced by “Ode to a nightingale”, a poem by John Keats in which the writer wishes to be a nightingale.
What does the golden country symbolise?
It symbolises freedom, beauty, nature as precious, escapism, hope, coping, desperation and pre-Big Brother society.
It also symbolises a life untainted by the Party’s oppression that he so longs for, making nature particularly attractive to him as the Party cannot control it.
What is the golden country and the connotation of this name?
The Golden Country is Winstons imaginary idyllic world, he visits it in his dreams and imagination. Its always spring and natures thrives. We see Winston go to what he feels reflects this place at the start of part 2 when he first meets with Julia.
The name “The golden country” uses light imagery to connote hope, the word “golden” presents it as valuable. It also ties into the name “Goldstein” who is the rumoured leader of the the rebellion against the Party.
What is the significance of ‘the paperweight’ and what is it?
The paperweight is a trinket Winston buys from Mr.Charrington’s shop. Inside the paperweight is a peice of dead corral, this could be foreshadowing the death of Winston/Julia or a comment that the past is dead.
The paperweight is significant as it represents many things, such as…
The past, their relationship, Winstons false sense of security, the room above Mr Charringtons shop, the world, beauty in nature, hope that the past cannot be fully destroyed, Winstons urge to freeze time and escape his impending fate, human fragility, fragility of human relationships, rebellion, Winstons urge to rebell and death of the past
What technique is the paperweight an example of?
The Paperweight is a ‘microcosm’ of the room, their relationship, the past etc.
Why is Winston drawn to the paperweight?
Winston feels drawn to it as it is from a time before the Party, most of which things have been destroyed so to him its proof that there was something before this Totalitarian rule, its a symbol of hope.
It also highlights his nostalgia for the past.
What are the two examples of a controlled catharsis outlet in 1984?
The Two Minutes Hate is used as a release for anger and hatred, aimed at Emanuel Goldstein who is most likely a creation of the Party for this very intent, a direction of dissatisfaction ,instead of towards the party.
Prostitution and Porn (Pornosec is the party sector responsible for distributing this) is encouraged as a release for party members. Prostitution of the proles highlights that they are seen as animals and therefore are “usable” in this way.
What is pornosec?
Pornosec is the ministry department responsible for creating and distributing pornography. This is then sold to proletarian youths who are under the impression that they are doing something illegal. (Yet its encouraged)
This way it acts as a controled catharsis, and outlet for rebellious emotion without doing any harm.
What catharsis does the party try to control in 1984?
Sex in 1984 is controlled, shown in the quote “Procreation will be an annual formality”, the aim for it to become a task to simply reproduce.
Here we see the repression of “instinct” and attachment to anyone that isn’t Big Brother
What is a ‘cult of personality’?
A cult of personality deliberately creates a system of art, symbolism, and ritual centred on the institutionalised glorification of a specific individual.
In 1984, this is Big Brother, who acts as the face of The Party, there is much speculation as to whether he exists or is just an imagined figurehead and representative.
What is the intention of creating a ‘cult of personality’ in 1984?
This creates for the people of Oceana a point of emotional contact between them and the regime. Ordinary citizens, of which Winston is hyperbolised to be, can identify with the organisation by worshiping the leader.
Totalitarian regimes such as the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, Germany under Adolf Hitler, and North Korea under Kim Jong-Un are often associated with cults of personality.
There is proof of this is 1984 by the numerous posters of Big Brother and the cult like chants of worship to him.
What is the ‘virgin/whore’ dichotomy?
This is a technique of contrast used by George Orwell to emphasise how corrupt or pure a character is, the concept of it is that women fit into either of these categories and this will define the majority of their character.
Note that Julia is in between these, being the virgin on the outside, with pale white skin but the whore in secret.
Who is the virgin and who is the whore that tie into the virgin whore dichotomy in 1984?
Virgin-Cathrine (Winstons wife)
No sex before marriage
Faithful within marriage
Only has sex to procreate
Silent
Confined to the domestic
Follows the rules
Controlled
Whore-The prostitute
Sex before marriage
Unfaithful
Has sex for pleasure
Uncontrollable
Rebellious
Any women who breaks the rules
Prostitution
Note that Julia is in between these, being the virgin on the outside, with pale white skin but the whore in secret.
