1984 by George Orwell

(1949)

Central Questions• At what point is conformity to a "system" taken too far? • At what point does conformity to a “system” get so extreme

that a person begins losing their individuality and sense of identity?

• In what ways do people allow themselves to be manipulated by higher powers? What are the effects?

• How much is a country's government responsible for creating an environment conducive to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?“ How much are the CITIZENS responsible for preserving their central values?

• Can human wants/desires ever be changed to the point that we, as a civilization and species, lose our desire for ideals like love and freedom?

Central Questions• What would it be like to live in a society/civilization

constantly focused on war and the constant threat of destruction?

• How is "truth" actually determined in our lives? What "truths" do you believe in, and why? Could your "truths" ever change over time?

• What is Orwell trying to say about– Apathy (lack of caring)?– Privacy?– Government control?– Individualism?– Isolation?– Fear?

Novel Background• Some say Orwell titled the novel 1984 because he had

planned on 1980, but delays just made him advance the years to match the length of the delay... others suggest that 1984 is the reverse of 1948, the year which he finished the novel, suggesting the novel is meant to be a reflection of the times in which he lived (post WWII Cold War Europe)

• Either way, the novel serves as a warning (allegory)– A critique and warning of totalitarianism/authoritarianism in

governments at the time– Cautionary tale for Western democracies about how easy it

may be in the future for nations to cut corners in order to "protect" citizens in the face of Communism and nuclear war

Novel Background• Europe and Britain for two hundred years leading up to the 20th

century (1900s) believed in human morality, human love, and the ability of human beings to use the intellect and ingenuity to overcome most if not all obstacles, and in doing so we made society better, and we could make ourselves better! There was this Western tradition of social progress and hope

• The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 was a poignant symbol of human failings, technology's failings - immediately followed by WWI, the communist uprising in Russia, WWII, and the use of the atomic bomb

• After these events, hope gave way to much despair, even hopeless in many circles, and Orwell embodied this 20th century pessimism with 1984

Novel Background• “Paradox of progress” of 20th Century Western World:

– Just as humanity reached the 20th century and looked poised to create a world based around peace, technology, democracy, and seek to eliminate social ills like hunger, is the exact same era where we kill more human beings in 2 wars than the rest of human history combined, while the legacy of colonialism/imperialism by Europe leaves Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East in shambles...

– In midst of all this science/technology march forward for sake of peace, by creating most destructive weapon --- and this weapon is main idea used the novel

• Nuclear war, or the fear of it, was much of the basis of the Cold War (1946-1991), and there was this idea called MAD - Mutually Assured Destruction– Every nuclear power knew that to launch a weapon was going to spell terror

for their own nation, and Orwell sees this before the 1950s and 60s and incorporates this "stalemate" into his novel between the three main countries

1984 Vocabulary• Paradox: two contradictory elements that exist

together• Irony: something surprising; when what "should" or

what is expected to happen does not, but in fact the opposite event occurs

• Totalitarian government: a political system where the government recognizes no limits to its authority and tries to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever possible– Totalitarian regimes stay in political power through

propaganda and government-run press, political repression, personality cultism of a single leader, control over the economy, regulation and restriction of speech, mass surveillance, and widespread use of terror

1984 Vocabulary• dystopia: world/society full of hopelessness,

where everything that could be wrong is wrong (opposite of "utopia," perfect world often characterized by peace, and a lack of need for all)

• “doublethink”: Holding two contradictory ideas at the same time, and accepting both of them (saying the opposite of what you believe... and doing it to the extent that you eventually believe the opposite of what is true!)– has to be conscious to keep it so balanced, but also

unconscious so it doesn't feel fake and meaningless

Influence of 1984• Modern books and films which parallel themes

from 1984– The Matrix– Minority Report– Equilibrium– Dark City– V for Vendetta– Children of Men– Inception– Ender’s Game– The Hunger Games

Dystopia of 1984

• Big Brother

Dystopia of 1984

• Telescreens

Dystopia of 1984

• Thoughtcrime and Thought Police

Dystopia of 1984

• Constant warfare

Dystopia of 1984

• Propaganda and control of the press/media

Dystopia of 1984• Constant poverty and shortages of food and

goods

Dystopia of 1984• Destruction and re-writing of history

Key Characters

• Winston Smith• Julia• O’Brien• Big Brother• Parsons• Syme• Emmanuel Goldstein• Mr. Charrington