1984: Thought Questions

Ms. Shaw

English IV

Please respond to the following on a separate sheet of paper.

Part I: Sections 1-2 (pages 1-28)

Sections III-V (pages 29-62)

Describe Winston’s dream about his mother.
Why doesn’t tragedy exist in Winston’s world?
What happened in Winston’s dream about Golden Country?
What is Winston’s primary task at work?
According to the party, has Oceania always been at war with Eurasia? According to Winston?
How is reality control an example of doublethink?
Discuss in Syme’s words, “Orthodoxy is unconsciousness”. Are there important concerns in the world to which you or others are conscious or oblivious?
How does the proletarian literature differ fro the produced for Party members?
Who is comrade Ogilvy, and what does he symbolize?
Why does Winston think Syme will be vaporized?
Do you think the girl with the dark hair is a member of the thought police? Why or why not?

Part I: Sections VI- VII (pages 63-80)

Who is Katherine? What is the only purpose of sexual relations in the Party’s estimation?
With whom does Winston believe hope for the future lies? Why?
What small scrap of truth about the past had Winston once held in his hands?
What does Winston not understand about the Party’s destruction of the past?
What did Winston mean by writing, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows”?

Part I, Section VIII (pages 81-104)

Who do you think dropped the rocket bomb? Does Winston’s reaction to the human hand lying on the pavement seem in accord with what you know so far about his character?
How is the lottery in 1984 similar to lotteries today?
What item does Winston discover at the antique shop? Why does it appeal to him?
What is so appealing about the room above the shop?
Why is Winston fascinated with the proprietor’s rhyme about the church bells?

Part 2, Section I- II (105-126)

Why was Winston’s concern for Julia (page 88) a “curious emotion”?
Do you think Winston’s immediate trust of Julia is foolish? Is it justified?
Why is it so difficult for Winston to get in touch with Julia after he receives her note? Why doesn’t he just go up and talk to her?
Where did Winston finally receive directions to a meeting place from Julia?
Read the first paragraph of part II aloud. How has the tone changed?
Why do you think Winston admits his age, his wife, his varicose veins, and his false teeth?
Why do you think Winston has little physical desire for Julia in the beginning?
How is Julia different from the orthodox Party member Winston had thought she was?
Winston “stopped thinking and merely felt.” How is this reaction out of character for him?
Why is their final embrace “a political act” for Winston and Julia?

Part 2, Sections III-IV (127-147)

How far does Julia’s interest in Party doctrine go?
How does Julia explain the party’s sexual Puritanism?
Do you think Julia is good for Winston? How has she changed him?
What is the permanent meeting place of the two lovers?
What surprises does Julia have for Winston in Part IV? What does Winston’s delight over these everyday items indicate about the news the Ministry of plenty circulates?
How do you think Julia got the Inner Party foods?
Reread the words to the song the prole woman sings. Why are they significant? Why is her singing significant? How might the song’s title, “Only a Hopeless Fancy,” be a form of foreshadowing?
What fear of Winston’s is revealed on page 119?
What is the significance of the coral in the glass globe?

Sections V-VII (147-166)

Discuss: (page 150) “The room was a world, a pocket of the past where extinct animals could walk>”
How sure is Winston that Mr. Charrington is on his side? Do you think Winston is right?
In Part IV, what long- anticipated event occurs?
Why does Winston have the sensation of stepping in to a grave?
From his dream in part VII, what do we learn about Winston’s childhood, in particular about his mother?

Part II, Sections VIII-X (167-224)

Questions for Discussion

1.Notice the differences between O’Brien’s home and Winston’s. What does this signify?

2.What is the purpose of O’Brien’s demands that Julia and Winston agree to do so many unconscionable things if they asked? What won’t they do?

3.Does it surprise you that Winston toasts the past?

4.Describe the picture in Winston’s mind on page 147 when he asked O’Brien to complete his rhyme.

5.What events took place that resulted in Winston having to work more than 90 hours in five days?

6.What is the book? Who was the author? Why does Winston have it?

7.What question still remains in Winston’s mind after he closes the book? In what way does the book comfort him?

8.What was behind the picture that was screwed to the wall?

9.To whom does the “familiar voice” belong? Does this surprise you? How much does he know about Winston?

10.How is the smashing of the paperweight symbolic?

11.What is Winston’s last image of Julia?

Part III, Sections I- IV (226-298)

1.Describe Winston’s cell.

2.Does Winston know how long he has been in the cell or what time of day or night it is?

3.Would Winston use the razor blade to kill himself if he was given one?

4.Why was Ampleforth in jail?

5.Why was Parsons in jail?

6.What do you think happens in Room 101?

7.Did O’Brien come to Winston’s cell to save him? What do we now know about O’Brien?

8.What was the purpose of all the beatings Winston endured? Did it work?

9.What purpose did the group of Party intellectuals serve?

10.Who did Winston feel was directing his torture? Did he hate him for this?

11.How far does Julia’s interest in the Party doctrine go?

12.How does Julia explain the party’s sexual puritanism?

13. What finally happens to Winston’s character in Room 101?

14. What is he forced to admit by the end of the novel?

14. What is Orwell’s main message to the world?