1984 Book Summary - Complete in-depth questions and answers regarding 1984, provides critical analysis - 1984  PDF

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Complete in-depth questions and answers regarding 1984, provides critical analysis as well as a summary of the book...

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Jai Bakshi

English Unit 2: Nineteen Eighty-Four Homework

Mrs. Wilding

“1984” – Study Guide: Part One 1. What is the quality of life like in London in “1984”? Prove specific examples. Life in London in the novel Nineteen eighty-four is illustrated as dark and uniform, where conformity in society is essential to survive. This is exemplified by the following statement, “This was not illegal (nothing was illegal, since there were no longer laws), but if detected it was reasonably certain that it would be punished by death.” (2nd Paragraph, 8th Page) This was regarding Winston possessing a diary and writing in it, however the Party has deemed individual thought a crime (thought crime) which further deprives individuals from independent thought, and encourages conformity. 2. In what ways does the party exercise control of its members? The Party used various methods to exercise control of its members, and this is depicted throughout the novel at several instances. These ways include uses of telescreens, which is virtually a camera used to spy on the visual activity of citizens, as well as the instigate propaganda. Additionally, microphones are also placed in various places to listen to conversations, and further identify any rebellious activities the statement ‘BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING’ instils fear within the community, further discouraging such thoughts. Any rebellion or non-conformity is “punished by death” or vaporisation. In this, a target victim ‘disappears’ and all records of their existence are destroyed. 3. What is Goldstein’s role in the novel? Goldstein has been depicted as villain of Oceania, conspiring with other states, and is ultimately a traitor. Due to his treacherous representation, Big Brother has made Goldstein an icon of hate. The party members are brain washed into thinking Goldstein as a threat to everything that is familiar to them and Big Brother, in contrast, is shown as their protector. 4. What seems to be the characteristics of keen party members? Note how Winston feels about Syme. Keen party members are represented as people who are enthusiastic on hating Goldstein, and ones who can demonstrate this to the highest extremes. Besides this, such members must also abide the general laws, thus being orthodox. Syme is noted to be a keen party member however, Winston predicts his demise due to his intellectual abilities, despite being a supporter of Big Brother. This is because Syme understands ‘too much’ regarding the Party’s principles, and has great comprehension as to why Newspeak is introduced. 5. How are Winston’s dreams about his mother and of the Golden Country used to establish what society is like in “1984”? Winston appears nostalgic to the time his mother had lived, and regards that the time had been full of emotion including privacy, love and friendship, and describes the time as ancient. Thus revealing that such feelings are now no longer existent in 1984.

Jai Bakshi

English Unit 2: Nineteen Eighty-Four Homework

Mrs. Wilding

6. What are the Principles of Newspeak? Essentially, the new official language of Newspeak intends to simplify everything, including emotion. This is done by removing synonyms and antonyms, and narrowing down vocabulary, thus causing making words simpler and vague. 7. What are the Party’s attitudes to marriage and sexual relationships? Why does Winston feel that “The sexual act, successfully performed, was rebellion”? The Party has strict regulations regarding marriage and sexual relationships. This is demonstrated by the fact that no individual can choose their partner, and before marriage, a higher official will assess whether the marriage can take place or not, and for what purposes the marriage is occurring for. The only acceptable reason is that it is “their duty to the party”. Such strict laws regarding marriage and sexual relationships is because they involve emotions and feelings, which further correlate to independent thought, thus meaning that it could lead to rebellion. Winston believes that he is entitled to having his own thoughts and opinions, and by performing such activity he thinks he has successfully acted against conformity and broken the laws. Hence he thinks it is rebellious. 8. When does it become clear that Winston is a ‘rebel’ against the Party? How would you define his revolt? Winston shows symptoms of rebelling first when he first buys the diary, however this can be regarding as curiosity. He clearly demonstrates it when he repeatedly writes in his diary “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” – and also when he questions the two minute hate, and realises he isn’t hating enough like his comrades. 9. Why does Winston think so much about the nature of history? What does he think about it? What conclusions does he come to? What theme of the novel is thus presented? Winston believes that the history holds the truth, however with the falsification of almost everything, the world has now become engulfed in a web of lies. Newspapers, books, artefacts – almost all evidence of the past slowly being changed to empower Big Brother even more. A conclusion he makes is that there is almost no truth anymore, but rather everyone is forced to believe the will of the Party – thus presenting a significant theme of the novel, truth. 10. What is Winston’s definition of ‘freedom’? Freedom, according to Winston’s ideas, can be defined as the ability to think, to have opinions and voice them, emotions and feelings. This is addressed when Winston says “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two makes four…” thus exemplifying that the will to have independent thought , and the ability to say what he believes, hence speech, is also regarded as freedom by Winston.

Part Two:

Jai Bakshi

English Unit 2: Nineteen Eighty-Four Homework

Mrs. Wilding

1. What was Julia’s role in the novel in Part One? How did Winston feel about her? Initially, Winston feels threatened by Julia and suspects she is ‘thought police’ – thus fearing her. This sense of fear is also created as she appears to be a keen supporter of Big Brother. Winston also mentions of how he feels violently towards her. Julia plays the role of a young brainwashed supporter in Part One. 2. How was Julia’s character developed throughout Part Two? George Orwell developed and characterised Julia rapidly throughout the beginning of Part Two. Her character is viewed as rebellious, and courageous – which also contradicts how she appears in Part One. 3. Why is Winston delighted when Julia tells him about her previous sexual relations with members of the Party? Winston is relieved that Julia is experienced in rebelling, and this makes him believe that she will stay loyal to him and not betray him. He is also informed that other members of the Party also are against Big Brother, told by Julia by their acts of defiance. Thus Winston thinks that he is not alone. 4. What attitudes towards the Party does Julia show in chapter three? What differences are between her attitudes and Winston’s? While Julia shows hatred towards the Party (mainly inner), it is not for their ideals but more so amusement. She abides by the Party’s principles and makes the statement ‘If you keep the big rules, you can break the smaller ones’ which further shows her rebellious attitude. Whereas Winston on the other hand opposes the Party’s beliefs and believes they are living under oppression, thus he has more philosophical views rather rebellious. 5. Note the difficulties Winston and Julia face when trying to meet. What themes are apparent here? How are these difficulties emphasised in chapter 4? The first time Julia and Winston are to meet, a great deal of planning is done. First they inconspicuously meet to arrange a time for another day, and even then precaution is made that they are not seen communicating. After the location is arranged, each follow a different route to ensure they are not being suspected. This indicates a theme of fear, as they are under constant worry that they are being surveyed by people, telescreens or microphones hidden in objects. For further meetings, they do not use the same hiding spot, and also decide to only use previous hiding spots twice, where there second visit is one month after their previous. 6. In chapter five, what is the point of the contrast between a) Winston and Parsons and b) Julia and Winston? Parsons is seen to be unintelligent, but very loyal and dedicated to the party – however one may say that there is no correlation between the two ideas. He also, compared to Winston does not question anything the Party says as he views the Party to a figure of authority. Winston however questions the Party and its ideals and thinks about what has occurred, what is happening and also what can happen, which makes him believe that the future can be a good one. Contrast between Julia and Winston is shown to identify that people have various reasons for rebelling against the party. Not all people rebel for the same reason, but it can lead them to similar destinations.

Jai Bakshi

English Unit 2: Nineteen Eighty-Four Homework

Mrs. Wilding

7. In chapter 6, what significance does Winston see in O’Brien giving him his address? It is evident and emphasised that people do not give out or ask for addresses in the novel, and are rarely given it. However Winston, after receiving the address, thinks O’Brien has bestowed great trust on him, but also interprets a hidden meaning behind this. Winston infers that there is a secret message O’Brien wishes to tell him, but cannot due to the lack of privacy. Despite there being a telescreen at the address, Winston believes that O’Brien has already arranged of some method of communicating which he will later be notified about. 8. What is significant about Winston’s memories about his mother in chapter seven? Why does he link this memory with the ideas about Proles? Winston remembers her mother a generous, loving and caring woman, and feels as if he could not return these same emotions to her, thus feeling guilt. This instigates to concept of emotions, which relates to Proles, as they still have emotion, unlike the Party. Winston believes that having emotions maybe more valuable than living higher in the social hierarchy as that is what makes them human. 9. What does Winston believe the Party can be defeated? What does he think betrayal means? Proles are seen to be the last chance for the survival of humanity in 1984 due to their emotions. Winston believes that if the Proles unite, with some intelligence and thoughtfulness, and enabled by emotions, that they can overthrow the Party – which is almost impossible the current era in the novel. 10. What are the living conditions of the inner party? The inner party lives in luxury by nature of power, wealth and even privacy to a degree. They are privileged to quality rations and live at the top of the social hierarchy and are surprisingly allowed to live in more private conditions since they can turn their telescreens and microphones off. 11. In chapter 8, what courses of action do Winston and Julia commit themselves to? A commitment, suggested by O’Brien is made by Winston and Julia towards the Brotherhood, which is supposedly meant to free them from the tyranny of the Party. Both agree to everything, however are unwilling to sacrifice their love for ‘freedom’ in the future ensured by the Brotherhood and O’Brien. 12. At the beginning of chapter nine, how is the Party’s absolute power demonstrated? The Party exemplifies its absolute power and control through the political speaker of the inner Party. The speaker contradicts himself mid-way and states that we are in in war with a difference state, and were never previously at war with the other. The audience immediately believes the speaker, and remove all evidence stating that Oceania was at were at war with Eurasia, thus making the speaker correct as there is no evidence to prove him wrong. All records are also altered, no evidence is left at all.

13. Why do you think Orwell has included a long extract of Goldstein’s book at this point in the novel?

Jai Bakshi

English Unit 2: Nineteen Eighty-Four Homework

Mrs. Wilding

The Party’s infamous motto which appears fallacious is explained by Goldstein’s book, thus answering questions within the readers mind. However through the use of this technique, the author also informs the reader of the Party’s political views, beliefs and understanding – and also suggests the Brotherhoods ideals which are typical beliefs of rebellions. This convinces them that the Brotherhood is their saviours, however later in the book one can argue that it is a plot to identify rebels. 14. What is Winston’s immediate response to their arrest? Winston hoped it wouldn’t come to it, however knew the day would come. However a sense of surprise overwhelmed him when Winston found out that Mr. Charrington had truly been a part of the organisation ‘thought police’. This is because he felt a certain degree of trust towards him, and sympathised with him as he was viewed to be a lonely old man who wishes to live peacefully. A sense of shock is also present as Winston realises he could have been caught as soon as he had bought the diary from him, thus leaving him curious as to why he was not. 15. What symbols have significance in chapter nine? The woman with the red arm band is viewed as a symbol for freedom, who expresses this with singing. In contrast, party members are not allowed to sing, which is ironic as they are ranked higher in the social hierarchy....