1984
This classic novel by George Orwell is for Language Arts 12 Semester I students. Please answer all questions in complete sentences and use the formal essay format for your essays.
Staple your project
and place in a folder and turn in to Connie or Michele on or before Monday,
November 28. See Extra Credit for an
alternative project format.
IF WE ARE IN THE SECOND SEMESTER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, YOUR PROJECT IS DUE WHEN YOU REACH 50% IN YOUR LANGUAGE ARTS CLASS.
1. George Orwell (pen name for Eric Arthur Blair) detested elitism and tyranny and his pessimistic view of society is evident in his writing. Read a brief biography (or another biography) of George Orwell and write a short summary of how his life experiences shaped his beliefs.
http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/authors/about_george_orwell.html or
Be sure to cite your source. You may use Knight Cite to help you with the proper MLA reference citation.
http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php
2. Define each of these words to enhance your reading of 1984.
Totalitarianism
Fatalism
Repression
Revolutionary
Pragmatic
Ideological
Regime
Utopia
3.
In 1984, George
Orwell presents his vision of dystopia, a world consisting of three massive
totalitarian states constantly at war with each other and using technological
advancements to keep their respective Party members and masses under careful
observation and control. Written in 1948 and published in 1949, this novel is
often touted as one of the greatest novels written in the English language.
Read more:
http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/1984/about.html
After reading this
section, write a brief two-paragraph summary of the events in the author’s life
which influenced this novel.
Answer the following short answer questions in at least two complete sentences.
Part 1
1. Who is Emanuel Goldstein?
2. Who is Big Brother?
3. What does one do during 2 minutes of hate?
4. As best you can, define the following:
Double think
Newspeak
Ingsoc
Duck Speak
Thought Crime
5. What are the slogans of the party?
Part 2
1. What do we find out about society from Julia and Winston Smith’s discussion?
2. What does Smith understand about the party that Julia doesn’t? How do their philosophies differ?
3. What is the one thing that both Julia and Winston tell O’Brien that they refuse to do?
What happens in the room at the end of Part 2? What do we find out?
Part 3
1. How is Smith “educated?”
2. How or when do we know he is truly broken down?
3. Where does Smith find himself at the end of 1984?
4. What probably happens in the end?
COMPLETE THIS SECTION AFTER YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK
Choose ONE of the following projects.
1. In 1984, Apple computers released a commercial introducing the new Macintosh computer which aired only one time during the Super Bowl. Watch the commercial at the website below and write about your response. Which symbols in 1984 were used? Were they effective? Why or why not? If a viewer had not read the book, would he/she understand the theme of the commercial? Read about the commercial at this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_%28television_commercial%29
http://www.curtsmedia.com/cine/1984.html
2. Watch the movie 1984. (There are at least two versions.)
Did the movie capture the story? In a well developed essay, discuss the differences in the movie and the book and give your opinion.
3. Read A Brave New World (available in the bookroom) and compare it to 1984. Both were predictions. Did they have similarities? differences? Which would be more likely to occur in your future? Support your opinion with examples from the book.
4. Create a PowerPoint comparing the technology in 1984 to technology today. How close was Orwell in foreseeing technology’s influence, impact, and advancements? What did he not predict?
5. Go the website http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/quotes.html and review the Quotations. Select four quotations and discuss how each quote is used in the novel, the explanation is provided by sparknotes. Include your reaction to the quotations. Is there evidence that these quotations could apply in today’s society? Explain in a well-developed essay.
Essay prompts: Choose ONE of the following essay prompts. Be sure to follow the proper format for a
formal essay.
1. “Double Think” is
central in the novel 1984 and is
utilized in our world today. In a
well-crafted essay, using evidence from the text, describe and analyze three
instances of doublethink:
·
One from the novel
(reference page numbers appropriately)
·
One from today’s news
(TV news, newspaper, radio news – be sure to reference source and date) and
·
One from personal
experience (ie: school, family, friends, religious
institutions government)
2. How does technology affect the Party's
ability to control its citizens? In what ways does the Party employ technology
throughout the book? In what ways is this scenario more believable today than
when the book was written? Use specific examples from the text to support your
opinion.
3. Read Brave New World which presents another fictional world and compare the
two. Be sure to include specific
examples from the texts to support your opinion. (There are several sites where
you can read similar essays. Please form
your own opinions before reading others’ opinions.)
4. Is the American media “Big Brother” in today’s society? Discuss a recent event (politics, Olympics, etc., where the media played a big part in how the story was told. (ie: controversy over the possibility that some Chinese Olympic gymnasts were not the required age of 16; comments made about the political, sports, celebrity, etc., opposition).
Extra Credit: Write a two-page introduction to a story set in 2084 where “Big Brother” is using technology to stay in control. Check out this web link for grammar, reference, creativity boosters and publishing.
http://education-portal.com/articles/40_of_the_Best_Websites_for_Young_Writers.html
(Control+Click to follow the link.)
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Create an electronic portfolio of your work similar to what you would create in Smart Lab. See Connie or Denise for help.