Part 1: Chapter Questions & Answers

PART 1

Chapter 1

·        How does Orwell convey the atmosphere of Winston’s world?

·        Deliberately strikes discordant notes e.g. clock striking at 13 to show unfamiliar territory

·        Vast buildings, strange mottos, flags, unfamiliar terms, new names for old places

·        Uses evocative language e.g. vile, sordid, rotting and gritty to show the disagreeable nature of everyday life

·        What do we learn about the balance of power in this chapter?

·        Learn that ordinary citizens live in state of mental siege, as well as poor-socio-economic conditions

·        Controllers of world stand apart from rest of society

·        Glittering Ministry of Truth and ironically Victory Mansions

Chapter 2

·        What is the effect of the Parsons children clamouring to see the public hanging?

·        Reversion to medieval kind of barbarism creates a feeling of revulsion

·        Not normal for children to do this

·        Comment on the Ingsoc slogans.

·        Self-contradictory

·        Emphasise the power of the Party to dictate meaning to society

Chapter 3

·        What is the significance of the old couple in the air raid?

·        Demonstrate a deep feeling of grief- which Winston can relate to

·        Society has become desensitised and callous, although proles allowed greater freedom of expression

·        Read the description of doublethink and try to come up with your own definition.

·        Normal definition- the ability to hold and accept conflicting ideas simultaneously

Chapter 4

·        What is the main technique Winston uses to perform his tasks at work?

·        Party uses euphemisms to disguise the fact that history is being rewritten

·        A careful facade is being written

·        Why do you think Orwell provides such detail about Winston’s work?

·        He is showing us the basis and workings of propaganda

·        Convincing background to Winston’s awareness of the way society works

Chapter 5

·        Comment on the grouping of characters in this chapter?

·        Both Syme and Parsons are zealots, even though they are different in temperament and intellect

·        Represent the dangers for an individual such as Winston

·        One is a friend and the other a neighbour- but both would denounce him without a qualm

·        Ironic both are eventually arrested- helplessness of individuals

·        Why is there so much emphasis on the unattractive environment?

·        Description of canteen and other substandard aspects of life- ‘discomfort and dirt and scarcity’ (p.51)- contradict the lies about the improved standard of living coming from the telescreens

·        Descriptions quite memorable- make more obvious difference between the Outer Party lifestyle and that of Inner Party