Kaarten: 1984 - George Orwell | Quizlet

Who wrote 1984 and give some background information about this author.

George Orwell wrote 1984, however his real name is Eric Blair. He was an English novelist and essayist. He was a British writer, essayist, and social critic best known for his works 1984 and Animal Farm. He came from the middle class and travelled around Europe.

What are his most famous works?

He wrote 2 famous books:

- Animal Farm (1945) - A satirical allegory about the dangers of power, based on the Russian Revolution.

- 1984 (1948) - A dystopian novel about a totalitarian government that uses surveillance, propaganda, and control to oppress its people. Introduced terms like Big Brother, Thought Police, and Newspeak into popular culture.

What are the following sentences: "War is Peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." ?

The phrases "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" are the three official slogans of the Party in the book.

What does "WAR IS PEACE" mean?

= War is peace: when there is war abroad in another land, there is peace in the homeland.

In the book: The Party keeps the country in a constant state of war, saying that it helps unite people and stop them from rebelling.

What does "FREEDOM IS SLAVERY" mean?

If you have too much freedom, people will make more mistakes, it is better that you do what the government tells you (as a slave).

In the book: The Party teaches that true freedom leads to failure and suffering. By surrendering personal freedom and obeying the Party, citizens are supposedly "protected" and "safe."

What does "IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH" mean?

Sometimes you're better off not knowing what is happening around you, because if you educate yourself it will scare you.

In the book: Keeping people uninformed and uneducated makes them easier to control. When citizens accept Party propaganda without question, the Party remains strong.

What is newspeak?

Newspeak is the official language of the Party. It is a form of controlled language designed to limit free thought and enforce Party ideology. Euphemisms are used to mislead people.

What are the characteristics of newspeak?

1. Restricted vocabulary: every year, less words = simplified or removed -> prevent rebellious thoughts (e.g. bad -> ungood) + removing words: freedom, rebellion...

2. Words are shortened = to make speech less emotional (e.g. Ministry of Truth -> Minitrue)

In which four ministries is Oceania divided?

Ministry of Truth -> Minitrue ( reality : lies, rewrite history + propaganda)

Ministry of Peace -> Minipax (reality: war)

Ministry of Love -> Miniluv (reality: Thought Police)

Ministry of Plenty -> Miniplenty (reality: economy -> ensure poverty)

What is doublethink?

Holding 2 contradictory views at the same time and believing both to be true. Forget the fact, then forget having forgotten the fact. (e.g. Slogan: War is peace... = contradicting)

= who controls the past, controlls the future

Who is Big Brother?

He represents the totalitarian government of Oceania and is the face of the Party's authority. Even though Big Brother may not actually exist as a person, he is presented as the perfect leader who always watches over citizens to protect them.

= big brother: usually someone who loves + takes care of you

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU

Where does 1984 take place?

In Oceania. Oceania is a big part of the world in the story that consists out of= USA, UK + Russia. The book is divided in three superstates: Oceania, Eastasia and Eurasia. These superstates are in a constant state of war with each other

What does Two-Minutes-Hate entail?

The Two-Minutes-Hate is a daily ritual, during which citizens are required to participate in a group display of hatred and anger toward the Party's designated enemy, Goldstein, the supposed leader of the Brotherhood, an underground resistance movement.

What is thoughtcrime?

Thinking anything against the Party; even private thoughts, can be illegal.

What is Blackwhite?

Accepting that something false is true if the Party says so (e.g., believing 2 + 2 = 5).

How is society divided in 1984?

It is divided into 4 main classes:

- Big Brother

- Inner Party = Upper Class

- Outer Party = Middle Class

- Proles = working class

Who are the key characters in 1984?

1) Winston Smith

2) Julia

3) O'Brien

4) Big Brother

5) Goldstein

Who is Winston Smith?

He is the protagonist of the novel. Winston is a low-ranking member of the Outer Party who works at the Ministry of Truth, where he alters historical records to align with Party propaganda. He begins questioning the Party and starts to rebel against it, seeking truth and personal freedom. ( in his late 30s)

Who is Julia?

Julia is Winston's lover and fellow rebel. Julia works in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth and secretly opposes the Party, though her rebellion is more personal and physical (focused on enjoying forbidden pleasures) rather than ideological. Julia represents the desire for individual freedom and personal rebellion. She and Winston's relationship highlights the tension between personal desires and the Party's control over every aspect of life. (in her 20s)

Who is O'Brien?

He is a high-ranking member of the Inner Party and Winston's mentor. O'Brien appears to be an ally to Winston and Julia, seemingly sharing their hatred of the Party. However, he is eventually revealed to be loyal to the Party and a key enforcer of its ideologies. O'Brien represents the deception and manipulation of the Party. He is a master of doublethink and is responsible for Winston's ultimate betrayal and reeducation.

Who is Goldstein?

The alleged enemy of the Party. Goldstein is said to be the leader of the Brotherhood, a group that supposedly opposes the Party. Though it is unclear whether Goldstein is real or just another fabrication of the Party to create an external enemy, he serves as a symbol of the Party's manipulation of fear and control.

Wat is doublespeak?

Doublespeak means confusing or deceptive language. (mix of: newspeak + doublethink).