Saturday, May 7, 2011

1984 by George Orwell

1984 is a novel written from the point of view of Winston Smith, a citizen of London, Oceania, where a new kind of government has taken over. In this new system, any kind of rebellion or freedom is restricted, including sex, free speech, or even free thought. No one is pemitted to speak badly or against the government. Although the consequences that come with breaking these rules could be fatal, Winston still rebels. He purchases a journal to write down all of his illegal ideas even though he could be killed if it is found. Winston continues to rebel against the Party thoughout the book, as he engages in an affair with a woman named Julia and continues to write in his journal. Eventually, he and Julia are caught by the Thought Police, and Winston finds that people he believed to be against the Party actually work for it. For example, a man named O'Brian was thought to be a part of the Brotherhood, a group of indivuals headed by the infamous Emmanuel Goldstein, who rebelled against the Party. However, once Winston and Julia are caught, it is revealed that O'Brian is actually a member of the Party and he eventualy tortured Winston in the hauntingly unknown Room 101. By the end of the novel, Winston has become completely brainwashed and has dedicated himself to the Party and its leader, Big Brother.

Questions:
1. People sometimes think that the government has too much control over what the people of its country do. Do you think this holds true in America? Consider things that affect kids our age (drinking age, driving age, curfew, etc) and explain why think so.
2. In your opinon, is it better to have an extremely strict government that keeps order or a loosly thrown together government that lets havoc occur without interfering?
3. At the end of the novel, O'Brian tortured Winston in Room 101. O'Brian tells Winston he plans to face him with his worst nightmare - rats - by strapping a cage of them to his face and letting them eat it off. Winston, however, begs that O'Brian does this to Julia instead. If you were in this situation, would you have faced your worst fears or would you have sold out someone you loved to avoid them?

14 comments:

Sydney C.13-14 said...

To answer question two, I really think a delicate balance of personal freedoms and government control is necessary for a healthy society.If I had to choose which I would prefer, I'd have to say that a loosely put together government would be better. I may be a little unrealistic in my positive beliefs that people are inherently good, but I have to say that a society dependent on peoples morals would be better than that run by a tyrant. The overly strict government would take away individualism among its people, a trait that I believe to be essential in order for life to have meaning.

Joe K. 11-12 said...

To answer question three, I would never ever sell out a loved one. I simply could not do this as to me love means protecting another at all costs. To not do so would be the act of an ultimate coward and never would i stoop to that low.

tyler k 13-14 said...

I feel in some aspects the government has too much power but on the same note there happens to be a lot of people who do stupid things in the world so they may need a little societal push and guidance, even though I would love to watch the survival of the fittest trait take them out.

JessieW 11-12 said...

3). I would never be able to sell a loved one out. I'd rather face my fear then see them be tortured by their own fear.

russell F 11-12 said...

1. america has some of the loosest laws in the world. Most laws we have they may be considered strict are incredibly hard to enforce and people do it anyway.

3. i think most people would say that they would not sell others out but thats looking in from a safe distance. winston's fear caused him to question his feelings for julia and in the end he chose himself over her.

David G. 13-14 said...

3. There is no way I could ever sell out a loved one like that. While it's easy to say this in a hypothetical situation, I truly think that I would not be able to do this. Living with the insane amount of guilt would effect me a lot more and for a lot longer than facing my greatest fear for a certain amount of time.

Jacob B 11-12 said...

I would never be able to sell out somebody I loved. I feel that an act like this is too cowardly and selfish.

Fritz J. 13-14 said...

there is a balance that needs to be maintained, that allows people to behave freely, while also keeping the public safe from itself.

Matt P. 13-14 said...

1. No, I do not think that our government has too much control. The various laws and control systems put in place are for our own good, and without them society would not be able to function properly. However, if such a rule was put into effect that was bad for society or over-stepped its bounds, I think that it would be our right to see it repealed.

LibbyS5/6 said...

question two: I believe that either one of those governments would be unsuccessful. There is a balance that must be maintained between the government and the people it governs. Without the support of its people a governemnt would become completely futile.

SeanK56 said...

2- I agree with Libby. You need a mix of the two, something that is strict, but does not take it to far. If the people are not happy, it will collapse.

Heather M. 13-14 said...

I do believe that the government has too much control. I understand that some form of government is needed in order to keep things under control and in order, but our current government is becoming very strict in my opinion. Some rules, such as the driving age, are needed because this keeps others safe.

Dana G. 13-14 said...

1)I think america does not hold too much power. Without having some control, there would be chaos. Other countries have too much power on their xitizenns however.

Greg P. 13-14 said...

Neither governmetns are good. It must be a middle of the road option with some control but still strong enough to enforce laws,