10 Orwell, G. - 1984

George Orwell (1903-1950)
− his real name was Eric Arthur Blair

− an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic
− born in India, spent most of his childhood in England, later served in the Indian Imperial
Police in Burma
− died of tuberculosis
− works: Animal Farm (1945): a satirical allegory that critiques Stalinism and totalitarianism
using farm animals as characters; Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949): a dystopian novel set in a
totalitarian future society ruled by a regime known as Big Brother, it explores themes of
surveillance, propaganda, and the erosion of truth
literary context
− political and social context:

 totalitarianism and fascism: Orwell lived through a period marked by the rise of
totalitarian regimes in Europe, including Stalinism in the Soviet Union and fascism in Italy
and Germany > these experiences informed his critique of authoritarianism and the
erosion of individual freedom
 Spanish Civil War: Orwell fought in the Spanish Civil War as a member of the anti-fascist
militia > his experiences in Spain, including his disillusionment with the communist
movement, profoundly influenced his political and literary beliefs
 World War II: Orwell's writing was shaped by the events of World War II and the global
struggle against fascism > his novels "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" reflect his
concerns about the dangers of totalitarianism and the abuse of power
− literary influences:
 social realism: Orwell's writing style was influenced by the tradition of social realism,
which sought to depict the lives of ordinary people and address social and political issues.
His works often feature vivid descriptions of working-class life and gritty realism.
 satire and allegory: Orwell frequently employed satire and allegory to critique political
and social institutions. "Animal Farm," for example, uses farm animals as allegorical
figures to satirize Stalinism and the corruption of revolutionary ideals.
− dystopian fiction: Orwell's novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four" is a seminal work of dystopian
fiction, a genre that imagines oppressive future societies
− literary context
 modernism: Orwell's writing emerged during the modernist period, characterized by
experimentation with form and style > while Orwell's prose is often straightforward and
accessible, his works reflect modernist concerns with the fragmentation of society and
the search for meaning in a chaotic world
 political journalism: before becoming a novelist, Orwell worked as a journalist and
essayist, producing a wide range of political and literary essays > his essays, such as
"Politics and the English Language," are known for their clarity, precision, and moral
urgency
 legacy: Orwell's works have had a lasting impact on literature and political thought > his
novels and essays continue to be studied and debated for their insights into the nature of
power, propaganda, and truth
other authors
Aldous Huxley (1894–1963):

− best known for his novel Brave New World (1932), a dystopian work that explores a future
society where technology and hedonism have replaced individuality and freedom
− Huxley's works often explored themes of technology, society, and the human condition, and
he was known for his experimentation with form and style
Graham Greene (1904–1991):

− a prolific British novelist known for his works of literary fiction and espionage thrillers
− Greene's novels often explore themes of morality, politics, and the human condition, with
notable works including The Power and the Glory (1940) and The Quiet American (1955)
Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966):

− an English writer known for his satirical novels and sharp wit
− Waugh's works often satirized British society and the upper classes, with notable novels
including Brideshead Revisited (1945) and Scoop (1938)
E.M. Forster (1879–1970):

− an English novelist known for his exploration of themes such as class, sexuality, and British
colonialism
− Forster's works include A Passage to India (1924), Howards End (1910), and A Room with a
View (1908)
Virginia Woolf (1882–1941):

− a pioneering British writer known for her modernist novels and essays
− Woolf's works, such as Mrs. Dalloway (1925) and To the Lighthouse (1927), explored themes
of consciousness, identity, and the fluidity of time and perception
D.H. Lawrence (1885–1930):

− an English novelist, poet, and essayist known for his exploration of sexuality, psychology, and
the natural world
− Lawrence's works include Sons and Lovers (1913), Women in Love (1920), and Lady
Chatterley's Lover (1928)
plot summary
1984 is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian future society ruled by a regime known as Big Brother.
Here's a concise summary of the plot:
In the oppressive society of Oceania, the protagonist Winston Smith works for the Party at the
Ministry of Truth, where he alters historical records to match the Party's propaganda. Winston
harbours secret rebellious thoughts against the Party and begins a forbidden love affair with Julia, a
fellow Party member. They both despise the Party's oppressive rule and long for freedom.
As Winston and Julia's relationship progresses, they join a secret anti-Party group led by O'Brien, a
high-ranking Party member who they believe is part of the resistance. However, their rebellion is
discovered, and they are arrested by the Thought Police.
Winston and Julia are subjected to intense psychological manipulation and torture in the Ministry of
Love, where they betray each other under duress. Winston's spirit is broken, and he comes to love Big
Brother, fully embracing the Party's ideology.
In the end, Winston's rebellion is crushed, and he is completely indoctrinated into the Party. The
novel concludes with Winston's acceptance of his fate, symbolizing the triumph of totalitarianism
over individual freedom and truth.
characters
− Winston Smith – the protagonist of the novel, Winston works for the Party at the Ministry of
Truth; he harbours rebellious thoughts against the oppressive regime and seeks to resist its
control over his mind and body
− Julia – a fellow Party member whom Winston falls in love with; Julia shares Winston's disdain
for the Party and engages in a secret love affair with him, despite the risks involved
− Big Brother – the symbolic figurehead of the Party, representing the totalitarian regime's
omnipresent surveillance and control over its citizens
− O'Brien – a high-ranking Party member who initially appears sympathetic to Winston's
rebellious ideas; however, O'Brien ultimately betrays Winston and Julia, revealing himself as a
loyal enforcer of the Party's tyranny.
− Mr. Charrington – the owner of an antique shop where Winston and Julia rent a room for
their clandestine meetings; he is later revealed to be a member of the Thought Police,
involved in their arrest.
− Syme – a colleague of Winston at the Ministry of Truth who works on the Newspeak
dictionary; Syme's intelligence and outspokenness ultimately lead to his disappearance,
presumably at the hands of the Party
themes and symbols
themes
− totalitarianism and oppression
 the novel explores the dangers of totalitarian regimes that exert complete control over
every aspect of citizens' lives, including their thoughts, behaviours, and even their
emotions
− surveillance and control
 Orwell depicts a society in which citizens are constantly monitored by the Party through
telescreens, microphones, and informants
 this pervasive surveillance serves as a symbol of the Party's absolute power and control
over its subjects
− language and truth
 the Party manipulates language and truth to maintain its grip on power, using techniques
such as Newspeak to limit the range of thought and eliminate dissent
 the novel underscores the importance of language as a tool of oppression and resistance
− individual freedom and rebellion
 despite the Party's efforts to suppress individuality and independent thought, characters
like Winston and Julia rebel against the regime in small acts of defiance, seeking to
reclaim their autonomy and humanity
− memory and history
 the Party controls reality by rewriting history and erasing evidence of the past
 memory becomes an act of resistance as characters like Winston strive to preserve their
personal histories and resist the Party's efforts to manipulate the truth
symbols
− Big Brother
 the figurehead of the Party, Big Brother represents the totalitarian regime's surveillance
and control over its citizens. He is both a symbol of authority and a tool of propaganda
used to instil fear and obedience.
− the Thought Police
 the secret police force of the Party, the Thought Police symbolize the regime's ability to
monitor and punish thoughtcrime
 they represent the constant threat of surveillance and the consequences of dissent
− the Prole Woman
 a symbol of hope and humanity amidst the oppressive regime, the Prole Woman
represents the possibility of resistance and rebellion from the lower classes who are
largely ignored by the Party
− room 101
 a symbol of ultimate terror and psychological manipulation, Room 101 is where
individuals are subjected to their greatest fears and traumas
 it represents the Party's ability to break the will and spirit of its enemies
− The Red-armed Prole Woman
 a recurring image in Winston's dreams and memories, the red-armed prole woman
symbolizes the past, desire, and rebellion
 she represents a lost connection to a simpler, more authentic way of life.
literary context of the book
− 1984 was written in the aftermath of World War II, during a period of heightened tensions
between the Western democracies and the Soviet Union
− the novel reflects Orwell's concerns about the rise of totalitarianism and the erosion of
individual freedom in both fascist and communist regimes
− 1984 can be seen as part of the tradition of dystopian fiction that emerged in the early 20th
century, exploring themes of government oppression, surveillance, and the dangers of
unchecked power
− Orwell's writing style in 1984 is characterized by its clarity, precision, and stark realism

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George Orwell (1903-1950)

− his real name was Eric Arthur Blair

− political and social context:

Aldous Huxley (1894–1963):

Graham Greene (1904–1991):

Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966):

E.M. Forster (1879–1970):

Virginia Woolf (1882–1941):

D.H. Lawrence (1885–1930):

themes and symbols

literary context of the book

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