Plot and Comprehension
Who is the main character of 1984?
Winston Smith
What does the diary symbolize?
Winston's rebellious thoughts
Who is Syme?
A Party member that works on the Newspeak dictionary.
To eliminate anyone who thinks against the Party.
Finish the quote: "Big Brother is ___"
Watching you.
What phrase is written on the posters Winston sees everywhere?
"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU."
What's the Party's main goal?
To have total control over people's thoughts and actions.
Who is Julia?
A young women who works at the Fiction Department.
What does the Party say about reality?
It's whatever the Party says it is.
What does Winston mean when he says, "If there is hope, it lies in the proles"?
The proles are the only group free enough to overthrow the Party.
What are the three slogans of the party?
"WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH."
What's the "Golden Country" in Winston's dream?
A free place without the Party's control
Who is O'Brien?
A high-ranking Party member.
What does Winston think he will be caught doing?
Committing thoughtcrime.
What's ironic about the Ministry of Truth?
It lies and rewrites history.
Who is Emmanuel Goldstein?
The supposed leader of the resistance against the Party.
What does the telescreen symbolize?
Constant surveillance and lack of privacy.
What is Winston's initial thoughts about Julia?
He hates her and thinks she's a spy for the Thought Police.
What does the Party do to those who rebel?
Erase them from existence and rewrite history pretending they never existed.
The Party's ability to control reality.
What crime does Winston commit at the beginning of the novel? Describe the crime.
Thoughtcrime. (writing in a diary)
Why does the Party control history?
To maintain its power.
Why is Winston fascinated by the old man in the prole district?
He hoped the old man would've remembered what life was like before the Party took control.
What's the significance of the past being erased?
It prevents people from not being able to tell is what the Party is saying is true or not.
Why doesn't the Party allow real friendships?
Because personal loyalty could be stronger than the royalty to Big Brother.