What purpose might each of the following serve?

 Ministry of Truth  Ministry of Love  Ministry of Peace  Ministry of Plenty

George Orwell’s Quintessential Dystopian Novel

1984

Orwell wrote 1984 for

us, the future

, in the hope we would recognize the signs and symptoms of tyrannical world government and prevent its establishment in our world.. Let’s make sure he did not write in vain.

 Jackie Jura

The Dystopian Novel

     Disenfranchised protagonist  Wants to change things or escape Representation of the powerful ones who control the world Representation of the “typical” citizen who is happy with the status quo or ignorant of society’s flaws  Staunchly patriotic  “It is what it is”  Aware of problems, but feel there is no way to change them.

Narrative viewpoint is from the inside of the dystopian society Plot lines follow one of two directions when the protagonists have terrible things happen to them  They escape their fate  The establishment wins

Philosophical or Thematic Traits

 The individual is worth nothing more than his or her value as part of the government machine  Power emanates from a single dictator or a large governmental organization  Major forms of control include communication, education, mass media, and popular culture  Military control may be a factor  The controlling party uses pop culture to distract and control its members  The controlling body finds and uses a scapegoat to deflect the blame for all of the suffering people.

Structure

   Act I  Largely exposition that establishes the parameters of the society and introduces characters and conflict Act II  Contains most of the rising action as it follows the character(s) trying to change or escape society  The climax typically occurs at the end Act III  The falling action or aftermath  The theme is derived from the resolution

Background Info

    George Orwell (nee Eric Blair) First published in 1949 Concerns life under and Oligarchy or Big Brother (a strict government run by few with the figure-head of one) The ultimate dystopian novel. This book is frequently alluded to in popular culture.

Setting

   Historical  Imagined future (1984)  Dystopia Physical  Notice the imagery of surroundings  Apartment (s)   Workplace Ministries Geographical  Oceania (Americas, British Isles, South Africa, Australia) (**Airstrip One is Britian)  Eurasia (Europe, North Asia)  Eastasia (Most of South East Asia)

Primary Characters

     Winston  Protagonist Julia  His lover Big Brother  Primary Antagonist O’Brien  A party member Emmanuel Goldstein  Former party leader

Themes

     Control Repression Dehumanization Loneliness and Isolation Social Class Depravity

Psychological Control

    Constant surveillance via telescreens, hidden microphones, and spies Indoctrination via propaganda Children as police Thoughtcrimes

Physical Control

   Mandatory Exercise  Physical Fatigue= Less Resistance Rationing food  Hunger=Weakness Providing Drugs and Alcohol  Buzz= Less Resistance   Mandatory Work Sex for Procreation

Mental Control

    Propaganda to indoctrinate and brainwash Censorship Reduction of Language  Reducing words= reducing thought (kwim? …smh…) New Language