1984George Orwell

George Orwell 1903-1950

Born Eric Arthur Blair of a British colonial civil servant in India

Went to school in England

Once out of school he joined the Indian Imperial Police in Burma

He resigned from the police force in 1927 to become a writer

In 1945 his famous book ‘Animal Farm’ was published

Animal Farm made Orwell a household name

Four years later the not so famous ‘1984’ was published

George Orwell

Plot of 1984

1984 takes place in a land called Oceania, which is a “negative utopia” or a dystopia

The government is run by what is called “The Party”

The symbol of The Party is “Big Brother”

Big Brother monitors the actions of the citizens by using Telescreens

The main character of 1984 is Winston, who has a rebellious attitude towards the government

Themes and symbols

The dangers of Totalitarianism is a major theme of 1984. Orwell depicts a government with absolute power that doesn’t allow the people any power or privacy

Psychological Manipulation is portrayed by the government practically brainwashing the citizens into believing anything they say.

The glass paperweight symbolized Winston’s freedom. It’s the item he would look at and imagine he and Julia alone in there peacefully.

The Telescreens symbolize how the totalitarian government abuses technology for its own use

Winston Smith

39 years old

Works for the Ministry of Truth correcting “errors” from past publications

Rebellious

Love affair with Julia

Played by Johnny Depp

Award given: Best worst character award

Julia

26 years old

Long dark hair

Works for the fiction department of the Ministry of Truth

Despises the party but accepts its rules

Megan Fox

Award given: Trampiest character

Big Brother

The government of Oceania Also known as “the Party”

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU

Played by Jack Nicholson Award given: Most likely to be a stalker

O’Brien

Member of the Inner Party

Winston feels a strange bond between him and O’Brien

Played by Chris Hemsworth

Award given: Two-faced award

Mr.Charrington

Owner of the antique shop

Owns the apartment above the shop

Appears to be a kind old man

Played by: Scott Wilson

Award given: The Betrayal award

1984 sales pitch

1984 is a timeless classic of one of the first modern dystopian stories.

The feeling of helplessness and despair draws the reader further into the controlling world of Oceania

The plot of 1984 is very intriguing and way ahead of its time

The story makes the reader reflect on their own society

Post test

1. In “1984”, the main character was….

a) George

b) Michael

c) Winston

d) Sarah

 

2. The book is based in a…

a) Utopia

b) Dystopia

c) Underwater city

d) Modern city

Post test

3. The symbol for their government is…

a) Lil cousin

b) Uncle Sam

c) Big Brother

d) A red-tailed hawk

4. George Orwell was born in which of these countries?

a) The United States

b) Greenland

c) South Africa

d) India

Post test

5. What was Orwell’s job in his home country?

a) Police officer

b) Baker

c) Bull rider

d) Salesmen

6. A major symbol of “1948” is a(n)….

a) Meat cleaver

b) Gallon of milk

c) Paper weight

d) Electric chair

Post test

7. What was George Orwell’s actual name?

a) Eric Arthur Blair

b) Phillip Jackson

c) McMathaels Haminals

d) Bob Ross

 

8. Who did the main character fall in love with?

a) Jamison

b) Julia

c) Jane

d) Jessica

Post test

9. What is Orwell’s other famous book?

a) The Bible

b) Twilight

c) Tale of Two Cities

d) Animal Farm

10.  The MAIN theme of “1984” was….

a) Dangers of Isolation

b) Don’t be judgmental

c) Dangers of Totalitarian Governments

d) Don’t trust strangers