1984 General Content Knowledge
How does the Party use telescreens to maintain control over citizens?
By tracking movements, ensuring constant surveillance and spreading propoganda
On page 149, “The proles, normally apathetic about the war, were being lashed into one of their periodical frenzies of patriotism” (Orwell). Apathetic most likely means…
showing or feeling no interest
What are social roles?
Social roles are the labels that are given to you in society. Ex: teacher, mother, employee, citizen
Which of the following best defines symbolism in literature?
Using objects, characters, or events to represent deeper meanings beyond their literal sense.
How does the quote "he had the sensation of stepping into the dampness of a grave" on page 159 reflect Winston’s feelings in 1984? What does this tell the reader about his state of mind?
Winston’s deepening sense of doom, fear, and inevitability of his death in 1984.
How does the Party manipulate the concept of truth and reality?
By rewriting history and controlling language
On page 85, “It was their delight, their folly, their anodyne, their intellectual stimulant” (Orwell). In this context, anodyne most likely means…
their pain reliever
How do the expectations and duties of children in Oceania differ from the roles children have in most societies?
In Oceania, children are actively enlisted by the Party to monitor and enforce loyalty, often reporting on their own parents or neighbors if they suspect any dissent. They are trained to be part of the Junior Spies and Youth League, learning propaganda, surveillance, and unquestioning obedience from a very young age.
In contrast, children in most contemporary societies are generally expected to learn, play, and develop social and moral skills without being responsible for policing adults. They are taught values such as honesty, empathy, and cooperation, rather than suspicion and loyalty to a totalitarian regime.
What does Winston’s act of kicking the severed hand into the gutter symbolize?
His desensitization to violence and human suffering
Explain, on page 165, what Winston means by the proles being “actually human”? What does he mean by this?
The proles have real emotions and genuine human experiences.
Winston sees the proles laughing, arguing, forming families, feeling love, expressing grief, and living freely in ways the Party members cannot. To him, these natural emotions represent true humanity—something the Party tries to erase.
They have the potential to resist.
Winston believes that since the proles are still human, they have the emotional capacity to feel injustice and, potentially, to rise up. His hope—however misguided—is that their humanity could make them the force that overthrows the Party.
Which of the following best explains why Syme, despite his loyalty to the Party, is ultimately doomed?
He is too intelligent and openly critical, making him a threat to the Party’s control over thought.
A deadly lassitude had taken over him” (Orwell, 102). Lassitude most likely means…
weariness/tiredness
How does the social role of the Thought Police affect everyday behavior of citizens? How does fear of surveillance shape social interactions and trust?
The social role of the Thought Police is to monitor, detect, and punish any signs of disloyalty or independent thought, even if it occurs in private. Their presence creates an environment of constant fear, because citizens never know who might be watching or listening. This fear profoundly affects everyday behavior: people censor their speech, avoid expressing opinions, and even monitor themselves internally to prevent “thoughtcrime.” Public displays of loyalty are often performed out of fear rather than genuine belief. Fear of surveillance also destroys trust in social interactions. Friends, neighbors, and even family members might betray one another to the Party, so citizens are cautious and suspicious, avoiding close relationships or open discussion about politics. Overall, the Thought Police perpetuate a climate of paranoia, ensuring that obedience is maintained not just through punishment, but through self-regulation and the breakdown of social bonds.
What is the symbolism of the glass paperweight Winston purchases?
It symbolizes Winston’s hope for a preserved past
Examine this quote: “Why was it that they could never shout like that about anything that mattered?” (Orwell, 70).
The proles show passion—but not for meaningful things.
Winston is frustrated that the proles can express strong emotions, yet they direct this energy toward unimportant issues like lottery numbers or everyday disputes, not toward injustice, oppression, or the Party’s lies.
Why is it easy to control the proles, and why is it important that they do not have strong political feelings?
They are kept uneducated and distracted by trivial entertainment. They make up the majority of the population and it would be dangerous for the party if they were to rise up.
“Winston tried to squeeze out some childhood memory that obliterated itself as soon as he named it.”
The word obliterated most likely means:
destroyed
What are the expectations and responsibilities of the women in Oceania?
Women are expected to support the Party in both public and private life. They are responsible for raising children to be loyal Party members, ensuring that the next generation enforces Party ideology. Women are also expected to maintain the household in accordance with Party standards and to display conformity, obedience, and moral vigilance. Characters like Mrs. Parsons show how women are often submissive, anxious, and overburdened, focused on pleasing the Party and controlling their children to avoid punishment. Beyond family life, women are expected to adhere to Party-approved behavior in society, including participation in organizations like the Youth League or other propaganda efforts. Emotional expression and personal freedom are heavily restricted. Overall, women in Oceania serve as instruments of the Party, ensuring loyalty and conformity within the family and community, rather than acting as independent individuals.
What does Winston’s diary symbolize early in Part 1?
rebellion
. “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” (Orwell, 4)
How do these paradoxical slogans reflect the Party’s control over thought? What effect might they have on Winston’s perception of reality?
By pairing contradictory ideas, the Party forces citizens to accept concepts that make no logical sense. This weakens their ability to reason critically.
What is the slogan of the Party?
War is Peace, Ignorance is Strength, Freedom is Slavery
“The Ministry of Love was frighteningly impenetrable.”
The word impenetrable most likely means:
impossible to get through
How does Winston defy his social role as "citizen"?
Winston is expected to fully obey the Party, accept propaganda without question, and suppress any independent thought. The Party’s rules demand that he perform loyalty publicly and privately, conform to assigned work, and avoid any behavior that could be considered subversive.
Winston defies his social role in several ways:
Private rebellion: He writes in his secret diary, documenting thoughts and feelings that directly oppose the Party.
Questioning truth: He recognizes the Party’s manipulation of history, facts, and reality, refusing to blindly accept their version of events.
Emotional and intellectual independence: Winston reflects on human experiences like love, pain, and freedom, which the Party seeks to control or suppress.
What does the decaying condition of Victory Mansions MOST strongly symbolize?
The slow collapse of society under totalitarian control and the bleak nature of their society
"The dark-haired girl, with a sly, almost mocking look in her eyes, had brushed past him in the corridor. Winston felt a sudden, inexplicable hatred for her, though he did not know why." (Orwell, Part 1, Chapter 5)
Why does Winston feel both hatred and fascination toward the dark-haired girl?