Transcript 1984 by George Orwell

Background, author bio, and context for the
classic post-apocalyptic speculative novel.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
1984 by
George
Orwell
George Orwell (Arthur Blair)





1903-1950
English, private school
teacher, reporter, editor,
etc.
Vs. totalitarianism
(Spanish Civil War), pro
democratic socialism(like Hemingway).
Animal Farm 1945
1984 (written 1948)
Orwell and Language

Politics and the English Language (1946)

Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you
are used to seeing in print (cliché)
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
Never use the passive where you can use the active.
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if
you can think of an everyday English equivalent.




Genre- speculative fiction
Speculation about extending what exists
now into the future
 Post-apocalyptic vision of post WW2
 Dystopic view of human nature = consider
it a warning.
 Totalitarian governments
 The “dumbing down” of language.

A New World & New Culture
Orwell creates the entire world of the
novel, loosely based on post-WW2
Europe / England.
 Look for parallels to real England in 1945
and our contemporary society.
 Know / define / explain the “new world”
and its terminology.

Oceania





The world is divided into three major superpowers
Oceania = England,its colonies, S& Central America.
Eastasia = China
Eurasia = USSR + Europe
Disputed Territories = non-aligned nations no one cares about or are
perpetually at war over.
AIRSTRIP
ONE
used to be
England
INGSOC - English Socialism







The Party = totalitarian
government in control.
Feudal-style hierarchy.
Big Brother = leader
Inner / Outer Party
Proles = proletariat /
workers
Nazis were National
Socialists
Capitalism / communism
The Ministries - Gov’t





Ironically named, the four main Ministries are:
Ministry of Truth (minitru): controls news, arts,
media, education, entertainment. Also includes
the Pornosec division and FicDep and RecDep.
Ministry of Plenty (miniplenty): economics,
trade, supplies
Ministry of Love (minilov): law & order
Ministry of Peace (minipax): war
Sacred Principles of INGSOC
Slogans used for propaganda (media
designed to lie).
 Paradox: seems incongruous / opposite
but contains a truth of sorts.
 War is Peace
 Freedom is Slavery
 Ignorance is Strength

Methods of Total Control









Totalitarian gov’ts used several methods to control
citizens, remove critical thinking, and force conformity.
Telescreens: constant propaganda, distraction, monitor
and transmit
Physical jerks: morning exercise, health, exhaustion,
Thought Police: paranoia, conformity
Hate Week: celebrate, holidays of hate
2 Minutes Hate: interruption, focus rage
Newspeak: limits thought
Vaporization: fear, purges
Re-education at joycamp: torture / forced labour
Classes of Society







Proles are about 85% of the population.
get the prolefeed (trashy entertainment)
lots of Pornosec (the porn ministry) and can
drink & engage in prostitution
Play the lottery that never pays out
distractions & “little joys” to keep the masses
quiet (sex for enjoyment is considered sexcrime
for Party members).
Few have telescreens
Viewed as animals by Party members.
Three Year Plans
Mockery of Chinese and Russian 5 year
plans designed to pull agricultural
societies into the 20th century.
 Gov’t designed plans to increase
production of goods (food, iron,boots).
 Newsfeed proclaims over-production and
met goals but proles go without.

Victory & living conditions








Poverty, ruin, disease, deprivation= norm
Basic food stuff rationed for proles
Ironically named: low quality products
Victory mansions = slums
Victory gin = rotgut
Victory cigarettes = dust & leaves
Chocrat= rations of low quality chocolate
Black market goods
Youth





In any society seeking to control citizens, children and
youth are trained - indoctrination.
Similar techniques (Hitler Youth) used in WW2
Junior Anti-Sex League: promotes celibacy, good sex
(for babies only), elimination of enjoying sex
(orgasm) because enjoyment and ownlife
(individualism) thoughts are bad.
Junior Spies: children encouraged to spy on and
report their neighbours, family members, friends,
teachers, and anyone else for thoughtcrimes.
Artsem (artifical insemination) is preferable to sex.
Doublethink
Slogans used for propaganda (media
designed to lie).
 Paradox: seems incongruous / opposite
but contains a truth of sorts.
 War is Peace
 Freedom is Slavery
 Ignorance is Strength

Thought Crime
To even question the authority, principles,
or power of INGSOC is a crime.
 All crime begins with thought=
thoughtcrime.
 Facecrime = expressions wandering
across your face giving away your
feelings

Newspeak vs. Oldspeak



new•speak: politically correct, propagandistic
language marked by euphemism,
circumlocution, and the inversion of customary
meanings; a language "designed to diminish the
range of thought.”
Words are limited, ironically inverted =
shorthand limits thought.
Double plus ungood = really bad
A state of perpetual war
Winston can’t remember when the nations
weren’t at war.
 Not sure who the war is against (switches
enemies).
 The primary aim of modern warfare is to
use up the products of the machine
without raising the general standard of
living.

Surveilance Culture

Telescreens = no real
privacy (can transmit
& watch).
 Paranoia of
surveillance keeps
control.
 Spies, censorship,
and police overreaction = control