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George Orwell's 1984

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

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George Orwell's 1984

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  1. George Orwell's 1984 History and Background – Literature as metaphor

  2. 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

  3. Context • World War 2 – 1939-1945 • A conflict between the allied powers • And the Axis Powers:

  4. Context • World War 2 – 1939-1945 • A conflict between the allied powers • And the Axis Powers: • Nazi Germany, Italy, Japan

  5. Context • Germany fell in May 1945, leaving a HUGE power vacuum in Europe

  6. 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

  7. Context • What they saw: • HUGE differences in structure, both through style of government and economic distribution

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. Context • The US made it a mission to “preserve” their way of life by preventing the threat of Socialism/Communism

  11. 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

  12. Context • As a result, by 1949, The Soviet Union had gone from friend of the allies (Britain/US) to a potential threat.

  13. Post-WW2 Europe

  14. The Players: • Leon Trotsky

  15. 1879-1940

  16. 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!

  17. 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

  18. The Players • Leon Trotsky • Josef Stalin

  19. 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

  20. Context • The cold war was dominated by three elements:

  21. Context • The cold war was dominated by three elements: • Fear

  22. Context • The cold war was dominated by three elements: • Fear • Suspicion

  23. Context • The cold war was dominated by three elements: • Fear • Suspicion • Power

  24. 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

  25. 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.

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. 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.

  29. 1984: Setting and Genre • Futuristic, cautionary novel • Setting: London, in the mythical country of Oceania, 1984 (in the future)

  30. 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

  31. 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

  32. 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

  33. 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

  34. 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

  35. 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

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. 1984: Ministries • Ministry of Truth (MINITRU) • Ministry of Peace (MINIPAX) • Ministry of Love (MINILUV) • Ministry of Plenty (MINIPLENTY)

  39. 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…

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