19884 Review Questions
1984 Reading Questions and “Writing” prompts
Read each of the passages during class and answer the following numbered questions. What you do not finish will be homework. The questions that are not numbered will be used for discussion as an entire class.
For each “Writing,” record your response in the designated section of your notebook.
Part One: I (p.1-20)
1. This society shows everything as thoroughly manipulated as possible. In the first sentence, what strikes you as wrong?
In looking at his room and the housing, what is unusual?
How does the government try to control everybody?
2. What are the three party slogans?
What do you suppose they mean?
3. What does Winston keep behind the brick?
What thought did Winston finally write down?
How is the journal “thoughtcrime”?
Why wouldn’t the government want this?
4. What is Two Minutes Hate?
Who do they scream at?
Why do they hate him?
What principles does he promote?
As a government, why would you want this exercise?
What other examples of Two Minutes Hate exist in history (or present day)?
Writing
Describe the government of Oceania. Use lots of specifics.
Part One: II-IV (p. 21-48)
1. Describe Winston’s next door neighbors.
Why does she need Winston’s help?
Why do the kids scare him and the woman?
How does he act when he is confronted by the kids?
Why are “Spies” an effective idea?
2. Complete this quote; “Whoever controls the past, _________________________”
What does this mean?
How is it true in this society?
What is the converse of this?
What is an example of this principle from history?
3. Why does Winston place a speck of dust on the cover of his diary?
Why does Winston choose dust as his means of detecting whether or not anyone has disturbed his diary?
4. What are the Physical Jerks?
5. Where does Winston work?
What is his job?
Why does it’s name strike us as odd?
How does he feel about
Read each of the passages during class and answer the following numbered questions. What you do not finish will be homework. The questions that are not numbered will be used for discussion as an entire class.
For each “Writing,” record your response in the designated section of your notebook.
Part One: I (p.1-20)
1. This society shows everything as thoroughly manipulated as possible. In the first sentence, what strikes you as wrong?
In looking at his room and the housing, what is unusual?
How does the government try to control everybody?
2. What are the three party slogans?
What do you suppose they mean?
3. What does Winston keep behind the brick?
What thought did Winston finally write down?
How is the journal “thoughtcrime”?
Why wouldn’t the government want this?
4. What is Two Minutes Hate?
Who do they scream at?
Why do they hate him?
What principles does he promote?
As a government, why would you want this exercise?
What other examples of Two Minutes Hate exist in history (or present day)?
Writing
Describe the government of Oceania. Use lots of specifics.
Part One: II-IV (p. 21-48)
1. Describe Winston’s next door neighbors.
Why does she need Winston’s help?
Why do the kids scare him and the woman?
How does he act when he is confronted by the kids?
Why are “Spies” an effective idea?
2. Complete this quote; “Whoever controls the past, _________________________”
What does this mean?
How is it true in this society?
What is the converse of this?
What is an example of this principle from history?
3. Why does Winston place a speck of dust on the cover of his diary?
Why does Winston choose dust as his means of detecting whether or not anyone has disturbed his diary?
4. What are the Physical Jerks?
5. Where does Winston work?
What is his job?
Why does it’s name strike us as odd?
How does he feel about