Bros:
As discussed in class, the opening chapters of Part One of George Orwell's 1984 are rife with themes as well as literary techniques that magnify the various subject matters of the text: political suppression, censorship, militarism, media spin-control, the manipulation of historical fact, thought control, despair, treason, and totalitarianism among other things. Undoubtedly, 1984 is a work of social critique in which Orwell, through the character of Winston Smith, prophesies the onset of a dystopia--one characterized by unbridled industrialization, dehumanizing thought control, and totalitarianism. The scary thing in all of this is that 1984 allegorizes modern society, mirroring its effect on the human person. Given the technological advancements of science and industry in our own world, and the increased globalization of free market capitalism, humans are easily subjugated to slavery for the purposes of increasing productivity and profit for ruling systems such as government, big business, and even religious institutions.
Moreover, in order to keep the machine of industry and profit running, humans are often censored from advocating for their individual rights, including the right to a fair salary and unionization. This is particularly true in underdeveloped countries where workers are locked in an economic system ruled by developed, "first world" countries, that exploit people for profit. They do this without considering the injustices of unfair trading practices that leave local businesses little on which to thrive. There is a level of political suppression involved in all of this when workers are censored from speaking out against those shady business practices which keep them in the dire straights of low wages, poverty, and hunger.
Anyhow, I want you all to keep in mind the various themes we've brought up in class as they appear in character dialogue, in setting, and in the observations Smith makes of his dismal surroundings.
In a response of decent length (you decide what is most appropriate), I would like you to develop a discussion on a theme presented in chapters one through five of Part One. This will involve using plot details to back up your claims. You will also need to indicate what plot, or literary, devicesOrwell uses to demonstrate the specific theme.
For instance, if you are discussing the theme of dehumanization, you will want to pinpoint specific instances where "inversion" takes place. Recall that inversion is the opposite of personification. It is the application of inanimate attributes to human characters to suggest themes such as the dehumanization of the individual.
Some literary devices to pay attention to:
–Plot
–Setting
–Narration/point of view
–Characterization
–Symbol/imagery (indicating mood, atmosphere, tension)
–Metaphor (including objective correlative, personification, inversion, and other examples of figurative language)
–Genre
–Irony/ambiguity
This assignment is due, Tuesday, March 17, 2009 by class-time on the blog. Be sure to indicate your name, my name, course, and date due as well as a creative title pertinent to the theme you are discussing. Be sure to indicate the author's name and the title of the work being discussed in opening.
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13 comments:
Branford Phillips
British Lit./Eng.141
Bro. Peach
3/17/09
Upon reading George Orwell’s 1984, it’s not entirely clear when exactly the setting takes place, because of the way society is built in this story. The military dictatorship considers it a crime to think too freely, or to think at all. The so-called “thought police” make it impossible for anyone to have thoughts differing from the rest of society. One cannot even recall what day it was yesterday, or what year it is, which is something Winston notices when he writes the date April 14, 1984, and later when it is announced that chocolate rations were raised to 20 grams when last week it was stated that there were being lowered to 20 grams. Society under Big Brother frowns upon the concept of thought, making it a crime. They want to eliminate the ability to think and just have everyone follow whatever B.B says, whether it is the truth or not. Syne even states that they are trying to make language so simple that people are unable to express their own thoughts, thus completely eliminating thought, and personification. B.B’s ultimate goal is to create nothing more than a pack of robots with skin and a beating heart.
Joe Rabel
British Lit./Eng.141
Bro. Peach
3/17/09
In the book, 1984 written by George Orwell we are not given an exact time or place, but it is easily seen as a dystopian, controlled, society. In the beginning of the novel we see an average citizen, Winston the main character, of Oceania working for the government. After Orwell introduces us to the character, he goes into detail about “Big Brother” and how Oceania is under surveillance by “Big Brother”. In the beginning plot of this novel there are many different themes, relating to a dystopian society, that could be discussed in the opening paragraphs. A major theme developed in the beginning parts of this novel is the controlling of not only mind but body as well and how they control one via another. In the morning routine of Oceaina, which is also controlled by big brother, they are forced to work out in order to stay healthy. By doing this they physically stay shape so when they go to work they then mentally exhaust themselves. Since they are mentally and physically exhausted we see that it is hard for anyone after work to even think, thus they go straight to bed. Another example of mental control is the idea of “Newspeak” in the novel Syme, a friend of Winston, is working on creating a dictionary and for his job. He helps remove words from this dystopian societies language so that such words that allow for thought do not even exist. A final example of mental control we see this idea of thoughtcrime in which whenever the authorities believe you are rebelling against big brother you are committing a crime.
Brett Pippens
British Lit./Eng.141
Bro. Peach
3/17/09
Upon opening up to the glorious pages of George Orwell's 1984, we are not entirely sure of the time, locaton, and other important circumstances that we as readers should have been informed of. This totalitarianism is in fact unjust. The Big Brother is in total control of everyone's thoughts and feelings. Under certain circumstances one is believed to be breaking the law by free thought. There is even a "thought police" to ensure there is no one thinking different for the rest of the pack. Totalitarianism has a major effect, with Big Brother at the head of the society. Even language has been simplified in order to limt the free thought process, thus being free to take orders from Big Brother. Big Brother's plan seems very effective, at least in the beginning parts of George Orwell's 1984.
Brian Fuchs
British Lit./ Eng 141
Bro. Rob
3/17/09
In George Orwell's visionary novel 1984, the reader is thrust into a dismal society controlled by a tyrannical government whose propaganda and control of past, present, and future creates a sense of despair. The entire “civilization” of Oceania lives in a depressing environment that creates a sense of neglect and spiritual poverty amongst the proletariat. In the opening of the book, Orwell manifests the dreary environment in Oceania, “Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansion, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him” (1). The dismal state of living that encompasses the citizens of Oceania is a prime example of Orwell’s use of setting to create a mood of despair in the fictional civilization. Along with the depressing environment, the strict control of the government produces mindless and impassive nation. Orwell paints this picture through the eyes of Winston Smith, “It was curious that he seemed not merely to have lost the power of expressing himself, but even to have forgotten what it was that he had originally intended to say”(7). This lack of ability to express oneself empowers the oppressive regime while creating an uninspired society of people blindly following Big Brother and the Party. The narration by Winston gives the reader a firsthand look at the hopelessness that the citizens of Oceania feel. Not only does the lifeless atmosphere and lackluster creativity of Oceania generate despair but the government’s ability to control the past, present, and future contributes to the desolation. Orwell presents a desolate question of “controlling time, “For how could you establish even the most obvious fact when there existed no record outside your own memory?”(35).This question plagues Winston and is a vital part of the story’s plot and development. The presence of despair is a paramount theme of 1984 and leads to conflict throughout the story.
Adam Butler
Brit Lit./Eng. 141
Bro.Peach
3/17/09
1984 written by Georger Orwell is interesting to say the least.The book 1984 as a reader immediately are introduced into themes that are not so normal in are modern day culture and world. We learn that their is no laws but if you shall we say "step out of line" you get punished. I find this very ironic to say the least because their are no set laws set in place but their still is a set of rules to follow, even though they are not completely "set in stone". From these "laws" we learn of Big Brother, which follows the theme of order and obediance.In a way Big Brother is similar to Adolf Hitler, because he is more of a leader and dictator over the people beneath him. We see obediance and order whenever Weston is at work and it comes time for the " Two Minutes of Hate", where all the employees all praise this "God like figure". This book shows of many more themes, that will be further explained to us as we read on throughout the book.
J. Harry Farina
British Lit. / English141
Brother Peach
March 17, 09
With in the first sentence of George Orwell’s “1984” it is evident that militarism is and will be a major theme. Just by using military time sets the tone for a dystopian society; a society lead by a power hungry dictator whose tyranny has led some, like our main character (Winston Smith) in to a state of oppression. One would say that Winston should rise up, but on the contrary, if he were to even think such thoughts he would be dead, “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death”(28). It would be best to just be ignorant of the situation, just as “Big Brother” wants.
The idea of war, and surveillance by the means of police is not only noticed by the adults; children absorb the ideals of “Big Brother” like sponges. Winston remarks that all the children anymore were horrible, “they were systematically turned into ungovernable little savages…they adored the Party and everything connected to it” (24). These children grew up not knowing any other way, “Big Brother” continuing his “Ignorance is Strength” motto.
Another example of a militaristic value is that you were supposed to call everyone “comrade”. It is clear that the theme of militarism is very important, and from what I notice now, I believe that is will be consistent through the book.
James McDonough
British Lit./Eng.141
Bro. Peach
3/17/09
In an excerpt from 1984, Orwell inscribes, "-then the lie passed into history and became truth. 'Who controls the past,' ran the Party slogan, 'controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,'" (1984, page 34). This slogan of the Party, known as the leading state of "government," which our main character Winston labors under, can be seen as a recurring theme. This is the theme of clandestinity (which is a real word according to Webster) by which the powers that be: The Party, the Ministries, and Big Brother all work under. The secrecy or mystery of their affairs which by nature would prove illicit in American culture, can be seen at almost every page in the novel, and are made manifest in three unique areas of life: past, present, and future.
The past of Oceana, Airstrip 1, is described by Winston as England or Britain (page 32 1984). Not much else is said of what was before the Three Countries, mainly because all the records of history that entail such a place were destroyed or "vaporized." Then there is Winston's inability to recall specific events about his childhood, his family, or his life before the Fifties at all: "he was struggling to think backward into the dim period of his early childhood. It was extraordinarily difficult. Beyond the late Fifties everything faded. When there were no external records that you could refer to, even the outline of your own life lost its sharpness," (page 32). Through these accounts of the past, the theme of clandestinity emerges, seeing as everything in the past is fragmented.
The present shows the same theme. Institutions and organizations such as the Thought Police, and the Ministry of Truth in itself are solely devoted to the one purpose of keeping information and freedom at a limited basis, and keeping the "government" protected in a cloud of mystery.
The future then, is no different, mainly because if the past and present are in this direction, how can the future vary in it's own nature? It remains a mystery, as it usually does, but with an air of dark foreshadowing fitting into a clandestinity. This is hinted with the "government's" continual restriction of information and truth.
As Winston continues to entertain these notions of overthrowing Big Brother, and as the war with Eurasia favors Oceana, the pressure will meet its climax, and the novel will reveal all that has been hidden in its mysterious nature, along with what happened, what is really happening, and what is going to happen.
Sam Miclot
British Lit.
Bro.Peach
3/17/09
During one's reading of George Orwell's novel 1984, it becomes obvious that the dystopian society of Oceania is a depressing, helpless, and unjust hell. Big Brother, or B.B., is the mastermind of the controlled society. His ultimate goal is to make all citizens of Oceania thoughtless and submissive. This seemingly unachievable plan has already gone into affect and to the naked eye has been achieved. Anyone that has any type of thought or commits "Thoughtcrime" either serves years in work camps or is "vaporized". This instills a fear amongst the people, which is illustrated when Winston says,“Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death”(28). Another way of mind control is language, Oceania uses "Newspeak", a language of shortened words. The ultimate goal of the language is to become almost nothing. For instance, when Winston is speaking with Syme, Syme asks Winston ,"'Don't you see the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of
thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there are no words to describe it'" [Orwell,52]. This quote shows the progress that is being made by the government and future progress that will be made. B.B.'s mind control is a huge theme in the novel and most likely will continue to be present throughout.
Matthew Clair
Brother Peach
British Lit.
3/16/09
Control of mind via language
Language is a crucial aspect of individualism for all people. A language contains certain features which allow people to express themselves. Language also limits the ideas that individuals are capable of formulating by thought. Therefore, if a language were to be installed into a society, where within it there actually are no words which could allow a certain person to describe their rebellious sort of feelings, then those feelings might be lost all together.
In 1984, we can see this same sort of idea with the language called “Newspeak” which was introduced to replace English. In order to keep anyone from being able to “think” the party is constantly updating this language in order to some day perfect it to a point where it is not possible for anyone to express any feelings at all.
Vinnie Venturella
British Lit./Eng.141
Bro. Peach
3/17/09
The theme of Militarism is shown in George Orwells' 1984 in various parts throughout the first chapter. It starts off by painting a picture of a gloomy and depressed England which has gone under due to the political system that is in place. The political party shows its power by use of propaganda. The propaganda in this party is put in place so that no one dares to try and revolt against the immense power that the government has at this time. The citizens are not allowed to be free thinking which is shown when Winston is writing in an old journal and suddenly stops because he can not believe what he is doing. He knew if he were caught he would be sent to the Ministry of Love which he has never even been inside. It is described as "the really frightening one" (4). Winston then states he has never even been within a half kilometer of the building.
The theme of Militarism is also brought up in the very last paragraph of the fifth section of chapter 1. There is a conversation going on about the technology that the spies could now have to keep a better watch on them with which is brought to a halt by a whistle. "At this moment the telescreen let out a piercing whistle. It was the signal to return to work. All three men sprang to their feet" (63). This shows how when an order was given how quickly everyone would respond. Just if a commander gave an order to be carried out.
Brett Pippens
British Lit./Eng.141
Bro. Peach
3/17/09
Upon opening up to the glorious pages of George Orwell's 1984, we are not entirely sure of the time, locaton, and other important circumstances that we as readers should have been informed of. This totalitarianism is in fact unjust. In the opening sentences of the book, we are informed that on each staircase of the Victory Mansion, the words "Big Brother is Watching You"(2-3). The Big Brother is in total control of everyone's thoughts and feelings. Under certain circumstances one is believed to be breaking the law by free thought. There is even a "thought police" to ensure there is no one thinking different for the rest of the pack. Totalitarianism has a major effect, with Big Brother at the head of the society. Even language has been simplified in order to limt the free thought process, thus being free to take orders from Big Brother. Big Brother's plan seems very effective, at least in the beginning parts of George Orwell's 1984.
Zach Carlino
Brit Lit. Eng 141
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
3/17/09
In George Orwell's 1984 it is hard to pinpoint a clear setting of the book so far. A theme that takes place is how the military has control over the people in the nation. For instance when the main character is writing in his, illegal, journal he tells the reader about a video he saw with other people. In this video was a helicopter shooting people on a boat. The character writes that people were laughing at this and enjoyed watching people get kille, in fact he made a comment about a fat person getting shot and laughing at him in general. On this boat were childre, and this did not seem to change the characters feelings, even though they were killing children. The character narrates this instance to the reader in a first person state of view. The human feeling and thought are all being controlled by the military.
Mike Kretz
British Lit./Eng 141
Bro. Peach
3/17/09
After reading the first five chapters of George Orwell's 1984, I found one of the themes was technology. Technology was getting more advanced in the year 1984 and that was unfortunate for the people of London. Every street, building, and room had a surveillance cameras to moniter the civilians. Big brother, as they called him, was always watching. If the thought police had noticed someone being suspicious, they would take (vaporize) them away. The reason they are called the thought police is because the people believe that they even know their thoughts because they watch everything they do. The setting is a literary device to back up this theme. The time period in which the story takes place, as well as the actual setting, say that the government is getting more advanced in technology and therefore having more control. George Orwell explained their lifestyle, "You had to live-did live, from habit that became instinct-in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized" (3). Winston Smith, the main character, is constantly worried about being watched and vaporized. The advances in technology are not letting the people live their lives.
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