Born Eric Blair in Motihari, India, in 1903. Born Eric Blair in Motihari, India, in 1903.

Blair won a scholarship to Blair won a scholarship to Eton, England’s foremost public school.Eton, England’s foremost public school.

At age 18, he entered British At age 18, he entered British government service in Burmagovernment service in Burma

as an officer in the Indian Imperial Police.as an officer in the Indian Imperial Police.

““1927 – 1933”1927 – 1933”

Patron Saint of England – “Dragons”Patron Saint of England – “Dragons”

By 1936 Orwell was able to support himself through his writing.By 1936 Orwell was able to support himself through his writing.In 1936, he traveled to Spain with his wife Eileen O’ShaughnessyIn 1936, he traveled to Spain with his wife Eileen O’Shaughnessywhere the Spanish Civil War had broken out. He fought on thewhere the Spanish Civil War had broken out. He fought on theside of the “Republicans”.side of the “Republicans”.

““Spanish Loyalist”Spanish Loyalist”

Animal Farm was published in 1945, the same year his wife Animal Farm was published in 1945, the same year his wife Eileen died. In 1949 he marries Sonia Brownell, who had helped Eileen died. In 1949 he marries Sonia Brownell, who had helped him care for his adopted son. On January 21,1950, as he was him care for his adopted son. On January 21,1950, as he was about to leave for a sanitarium In Switzerland, he had a tubercularabout to leave for a sanitarium In Switzerland, he had a tubercularhemorrhage & died.hemorrhage & died.

In part, the dark world of 1984 emerged from the hopelessnessIn part, the dark world of 1984 emerged from the hopelessnessof the 1930’s & 1940’s. BIG BROTHER, the Party, & the constantof the 1930’s & 1940’s. BIG BROTHER, the Party, & the constantwarfare in 1984 were drawn from the fascist oppression that warfare in 1984 were drawn from the fascist oppression that Orwell saw sweeping across Europe. Some critics believe that Orwell saw sweeping across Europe. Some critics believe that BIG BROTHER was modeled on the Russian dictator Joseph Stalin.BIG BROTHER was modeled on the Russian dictator Joseph Stalin.

““Stalin”Stalin” ““Mussolini & Hitler”Mussolini & Hitler”

Winston SmithWinston Smith JuliaJulia

O’BrienO’BrienBig BrotherBig Brother

Emmanuel Goldstein is the Party’s scapegoat & arch enemy.Emmanuel Goldstein is the Party’s scapegoat & arch enemy.

Mr. Charrington is apparently the proprietor of a 2Mr. Charrington is apparently the proprietor of a 2ndnd hand store. hand store.

Tom Parsons is Winston’s Tom Parsons is Winston’s Neighbor & Works @ the Ministry of Truth.Neighbor & Works @ the Ministry of Truth.

Mrs. Parson’s lives with Tom & their children.Mrs. Parson’s lives with Tom & their children.

Winston’s mother appears only in Winston’s dreams & memories.Winston’s mother appears only in Winston’s dreams & memories.

Syme is a friend of Winston’sSyme is a friend of Winston’swho also works @ the Ministry of Truth.who also works @ the Ministry of Truth.

Dismissed by theDismissed by the

Party as subhuman!Party as subhuman!

Nazi ProlesNazi Proles

Seen by Winston as only hope!Seen by Winston as only hope!

Sing, despite lives of toil!Sing, despite lives of toil!

““Politically Oblivious”Politically Oblivious”

Setting refers to the physical landscape in which a literarySetting refers to the physical landscape in which a literarywork takes place. The novel 1984 is set in the near future inwork takes place. The novel 1984 is set in the near future ina world of new alliances. The three “Superstates” are Oce-a world of new alliances. The three “Superstates” are Oce-ania, Eurasia & Eastasia. The immediate action takes place in ania, Eurasia & Eastasia. The immediate action takes place in the part of Oceania called Airstrip One-once known as Eng-the part of Oceania called Airstrip One-once known as Eng-land-in a city still called London. The three “Superstates”land-in a city still called London. The three “Superstates”are constantly engaged in unwinnable wars with eachare constantly engaged in unwinnable wars with eachother in shifting alliances.other in shifting alliances. Although Orwell transposed the last two numbers of the Although Orwell transposed the last two numbers of the novel’s intended publication date, 1948, for it’s title, he didnovel’s intended publication date, 1948, for it’s title, he didnot definitely set the action in 1984. not definitely set the action in 1984. The novel begins in the spring, traditionally a time of rebirthThe novel begins in the spring, traditionally a time of rebirth& love. Yet we are plunged into a dirty, bitter life. London is & love. Yet we are plunged into a dirty, bitter life. London is being ripped apart. There is no personal dignity, no privacybeing ripped apart. There is no personal dignity, no privacyno peace.no peace.

The PARTY The PARTY purposely isolates peoplepurposely isolates people

Life is bleak & hopelessLife is bleak & hopeless

Winston is starved for human attentionWinston is starved for human attention

Appearance & Reality are reversedAppearance & Reality are reversed

““Language is Perverted”Language is Perverted”

Severe chronic shortagesSevere chronic shortages

“ “Believe the Opposite”Believe the Opposite”

History carelessly rewrittenHistory carelessly rewritten

Winston can’t distinguishWinston can’t distinguishappearance from realityappearance from reality

Winston doubts his own abilityWinston doubts his own ability

The PARTY forbids all emotionalThe PARTY forbids all emotional bonds between individualsbonds between individuals

Children betray their parentsChildren betray their parents&&

Families battle for food & shelterFamilies battle for food & shelter

PARTY spies 24 HRS. a day!PARTY spies 24 HRS. a day!

ALL expression conformsALL expression conformsto PARTY dictatesto PARTY dictates

Independent thought punishedIndependent thought punished

““Individual Integrity”Individual Integrity”

Winston’s SkepticismWinston’s Skepticism

Conformity a must!Conformity a must!

Technology=Tyranny Technology=Tyranny

““No Law… Only Power”No Law… Only Power”

The PARTY has no wish to save the worldThe PARTY has no wish to save the world

Constant WarfareConstant Warfare

““Opposition is Impossible”Opposition is Impossible”

Although it’s set in the future, 1984 is not fiction. It is a political parableAlthough it’s set in the future, 1984 is not fiction. It is a political parablenarrated in the 3narrated in the 3rdrd person in the past tense. A parable is a narrative, or person in the past tense. A parable is a narrative, orstory, from which a moral can be drawn. The moral here is that the a-story, from which a moral can be drawn. The moral here is that the a-buse of power by a totalitarian regime destroys the individual.buse of power by a totalitarian regime destroys the individual. The novel is satirical. Satire is a kind of writing that uses wit to ridiculeThe novel is satirical. Satire is a kind of writing that uses wit to ridiculeor criticize the folly of individuals & societies. Orwell's purpose is to warnor criticize the folly of individuals & societies. Orwell's purpose is to warnreaders of the need to resist tyranny. Amid the grinding misery, horror,readers of the need to resist tyranny. Amid the grinding misery, horror,& despair of 1984, Orwell is satirizing the falsification of reality & the& despair of 1984, Orwell is satirizing the falsification of reality & themanufacture of fake heroes & scapegoats for purpose of political propaganda.manufacture of fake heroes & scapegoats for purpose of political propaganda.

PhilologistPhilologist

VapidVapid

AbjectAbjectFrontispieceFrontispiece

InterminableInterminable

ConcertinaConcertina

AltercationAltercation

QueueQueue

NipperNipper

PannikinPannikin