George Orwell's 1984

History and Background – Literature as metaphor

Context World War 2 – 1939-1945 A conflict between the allied

powers US (1941), British, Soviet Union

There were many others, but these were the big three

Context World War 2 – 1939-1945 A conflict between the allied

powers And the Axis Powers:

Context World War 2 – 1939-1945 A conflict between the allied

powers And the Axis Powers:

Nazi Germany, Italy, Japan

Context Germany fell in May 1945, leaving

a HUGE power vacuum in Europe

Context Germany fell in May 1945, leaving

a HUGE power vacuum in Europe The leaders of the US/Britain and

the Soviet Union had a chance to finally look at the other side, rather than focusing so much on the war effort

Context What they saw:

HUGE differences in structure, both through style of government and economic distribution

Context Capitalism/Free Market The means of production are

privately owned, operated, and regulated

Rate of production (how much is made) and the price of goods are dictated by supply/demand

Context Planned/Socialist The government owns, controls,

and regulates the means of production

Rate of production and cost are dictated by government, private price-setting is generally not allowed.

Context The US made it a mission to

“preserve” their way of life by preventing the threat of Socialism/Communism

Context The US made it a mission to

“preserve” their way of life by preventing the threat of Socialism/Communism

Russia, headed by Joseph Stalin, held a similar policy of expansion

Context As a result, by 1949, The Soviet

Union had gone from friend of the allies (Britain/US) to a potential threat.

Post-WW2 Europe

The Players: Leon Trotsky

1879-1940

Trotsky An Early Party Leader under Lenin

Came into disfavor as Stalin rose to power, eventually was demonized by Stalin’s new Party.

Even after his exile, rumors were kept alive that he was around and causing trouble…a Soviet boogey-man!

Trotsky “Trotskyism” – a marxist

philosophy which did not oppose Stalinism, merely existed alongside of it – his popularity was a threat to Stalin’s personal power.

Opposed the non-aggression pact between SU and Germany

Assassinated in Mexico by a Spanish-born Soviet agent

The Players Leon Trotsky Josef Stalin

Stalin Began consolidating power when

Lenin died in 1924 Replaced Lenin’s plans with a

series of 5-year plans, focusing on a cult of personality and a consolidation of personal power

Context The cold war was dominated by

three elements:

Context The cold war was dominated by

three elements: Fear

Context The cold war was dominated by

three elements: Fear Suspicion

Context The cold war was dominated by

three elements: Fear Suspicion Power

Context The cold war was dominated by

three elements: Fear

The Red Menace, WW3 Suspicion

Your neighbor could be a red… Power

Mutually Assured Destruction Tech and Arms Races to keep up

with the Soviets

About the Author “George Orwell” was the pen name

of Eric Blair. Orwell was an Englishman born in

India in 1903. He died at age 47. Orwell was educated at Eton, a

prestigious boarding school in England.

More About the Author Orwell decided to skip college and

work as a British Imperial Policeman in Burma

He hated working in Burma and returned to English on sick-leave

Once back in England he dedicated himself to writing full time.

1984 was written in 1948

Orwell’s Political Views He considered himself a

democratic socialist and was critical of communism

He hated intellectuals, lying, cruelty, political authority, and totalitarianism

He strongly opposed Stalin and Hitler -- he was very outspoken during WWII

Orwell’s Political Views It is PHENOMENALLY important to

remember: when he wrote 1984, essentially a satire critical of Stalinism, the Allies were still happy with the Soviet Union…it was not until 1949 that this broke down and he was able to publish his novel.

1984: Setting and Genre Futuristic, cautionary novel Setting: London, in the mythical

country of Oceania, 1984 (in the future)

Characters: Winston Smith Winston Smith: Main character and

the narrator of the story. Winston is a 39 year old low-

ranking member of the ruling Party He secretly hates Big Brother and

harbors revolutionary dreams Winston is thin, frail, contemplative,

intellectual

Characters: Julia Julia is Winston’s 25 year old

lover She is a beautiful, dark-haired

woman who enjoys sex and claims to have had affairs with many Party members

She is optimistic and her rebellion is small and personal

Characters: O’Brien A mysterious, powerful, and

sophisticated member of the Inner Party

Winston believes O’Brien is a member of the “Brotherhood” -- a legendary group of anti-Party rebels

Winston trusts and admires O’Brien, but never quite figures him out

Characters: Mr. Charrington A kind and encouraging old man

who runs a second-hand shop in the prole district

He rents Winston and Julia a room without a telescreen so they can carry on their love affair

He seems supportive of Winston’s rebellion against the Party

Characters: Big Brother Big Brother is the perceived ruler

of Oceania -- he looks like a combination of Hitler and Stalin

Big Brother’s God-like image is stamped on coins and projected on telescreens -- his face is unavoidable

1984: Oceania’s Ranks Oceania is a huge country ruled by The Party,

which is led by a figure called “Big Brother” The Inner Party (1% of pop.) control the

country The Outer Party (18% of pop.) are controlled

by the Inner Party The Proles (81% of pop.) are the labor power

who live in poverty The Brotherhood is an underground rebellion

organization lead by Emmanuel Goldstein

1984: Newspeak Newspeak is the official

language of Oceania The goal of the Party is to

have Newspeak replace Oldspeak (standard English)

Newspeak eliminates undesirable words and invents new words -- all to force Party conformity

1984: Doublethink Doublethink is the manipulation of

the mind by making people accept contradictions

Doublethink makes people believe that the Party is the only institution that knows right from wrong

“The Ministry of Truth” (where Winston works) changes history, facts, and memories to promote Doublethink

1984: Ministries Ministry of Truth (MINITRU) Ministry of Peace (MINIPAX) Ministry of Love (MINILUV) Ministry of Plenty (MINIPLENTY)

1984: Story Overview Winston is sick of his job fabricating and

changing history at the “Ministry of Truth” As we first meet him, he understands

something is dangerously wrong with the world, seeing the contradictions in the Party slogans: War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

He also is painfully aware of the consequences for even THINKING these things…