1984 by George Orwell George Orwell Eric Arthur

1984 by George Orwell

George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) ● ● 1903 - 1950 Wrote under the pseudonym George Orwell English writer, journalist, critic Often intensely political; critical of implementation of communist/socialist government structures, despite his openly being a democratic socialist ○ ○ Especially Stalin era Soviet Union (Animal Farm) Vehement, outspoken opponent of fascism ● Born in India under British colonial rule; worked as an imperial officer before returning to England ● Diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1947; died in 1950

1984 ● Written in 1948; published in 1949 ● Dystopian novel - imagines a bleak future in which social and political structures are designed in such a way as to promote a “perfect civilization, ” but the effects are invariably oppressive and horrifying. An author’s speculative look into the future based upon observations of structures and trends in modern society ● https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=0 xpe. Vq. KXPHI ● 1984 is about the complete and utter control of a citizenry by its government; the complete and utter sacrifice of independent, original, and critical thought

1984 ● Based upon Orwell’s critique of the implementation of communism/socialism in the 20 th century, fascist government structures; largely inspired by Stalin-era Soviet Union and Nazi Germany ○ ○ ○ Two-minutes hate Big Brother’s appearance Intimidation, espionage, duplicity, etc. ● Winston Smith, protagonist; the Party, antagonist ● Oceania, Eastasia, Eurasia ● Government divided into ministries: ○ ○ Miniluv: Ministry of Love (law and order) Minipax: Ministry of Peace (war) Miniplenty: Ministry of Plenty (rationing) Minitrue: Ministry of Truth (propaganda)

1984 - some important terms ● Ingsoc - English Socialism ● Crimethink/thoughtcrime - to have a thought that does not correspond with the values/customs/principles of Ingsoc/the Party ● Newspeak - Official language of Oceania. Based on standard English, but all the words describing “unorthodox” ideas have been removed. It is a dumbing-down and reduction of the English language, with the intent of controlling the range of ideas one is able to even consider. LANGUAGE IS POWERFUL!!! ● Doublethink - Literally the control of one’s sense of reality; the power to hold two completely contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously. Basically believing something to be truth even though youknow it is a falsehood.