by George Orwell (1949)
Define the notion of dystopia. Give a brief outline of its history. Whence the title of Orwell's novel?
Discuss the social hierarchies of 1984. Describe which class the following characters represent and cite three defining features of each class that distinguishes it from the others. O'Brien (Inner Party), Winston (Outer Party), the old man in the pub (prole).
How is technology used by the government to thwart all attempts at freedom and independence?
Describe the relations between the sexes in Oceania.
Throughout the novel, Winston pursues reality or “the truth.” Give three examples from the text where Winston is seeking the truth. In the end, does Winston find what he seeks? Why does knowing that 2 + 2 = 4 is true mean freedom?
What is meant by the Party slogan “who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past”? Give at least two examples from the book where the Party controls the past.
Oceania seems to be in a constant state of war against one enemy or another. What are the benefits of war and how is it used to control the population of Oceania?
The act of writing features prominently in the book, and is depicted as especially important to Winston. What purpose do you think it serves and what does writing symbolize overall? Why is control over language itself so important for the rulers of Oceania? Give examples.
Why does the Party cling to power?
Define “doublespeak” and “doublethink”. Provide examples from the novel.
In Oceania popular culture is described in this way: Here were produced rubbishy newspapers, containing almost nothing except sport, crime, and astrology, sensational five-cent novelettes, films oozing with sex, and sentimental songs which were composed entirely by mechanical means on a special kind of kaleidoscope known as a versificator. Do you think popular culture in our society could be described in this way? What is the function of this sort of “empty” entertainment in the novel and in modern society? Do you think we might consider social media as a less threatening equivalent of Big Brother?
EXTRA QUESTION: Apart from direct adaptations of both novels, many contemporary movies have been inspired by their gloomy visions of humanity in the future. Compile a filmography of those movies explain why you have chosen them.