Part 1: Plot Summary

Chapter 1- Winston’s diary

·         Gives details about characters and Oceania.

·         Alien nature of place- world we know has been erased. Dystopian world

·         London- but not capital. Airship One- functional name, military like

·         Links are made by Orwell to ‘Big Brother’ type political leaders- e.g Stalin and Hitler

·         INGSOC- Newspeak for English Socialism(a political movement based on principles of socialism, typically advocating an end to private property and to the exploitation of workers)

·         Ministry of Truth developed- prevent people grasping what is happening to them

·         Mass hysteria can blot out rational thought- Two minute hate

·         State enemy Emmanuel Goldstein is a Jew

Chapter 2- The Parsons’ flat

·         Disintegration of family relationships- Parsons family

·         Tom- party dependence on unthinking individuals, children- corruption, Mrs Parsons- fear from those who realise but cannot act

·         O-Brien- possible enemy

·         Revelations about unpleasant life

·         Constant alertness- e.g. ink on fingers

Chapter 3- Winston dreams of his mother and Julia, and reminiscences about his childhood.

·         Dream sequences

·         Guilt re disappearance of mother and sister

·         Winston finds it difficult to recall events- forced loss of memory

·         Vaporising- leaving no trace. Similar to other events in history e.g. Germany

·         Admiration of Julia’s rebelliousness in the dream- suggest what’s to come

Chapter 4- Winston’s working life

·         Demonstrates how easy it is to corrupt messages society receives

·         Warning to readers about power of documentation and control

·         Government has complete authority over the ‘truth’- inconvenient facts dispensed

·         Links to propaganda machines in WW2

·         Powerful argument for freedom of press

·         Lack of knowledge about workmates highlights isolation of individuals and lack of meaningful contacts so necessary to ensure Party’s control

Chapter 5- Socialising in the canteen with Syme and Parsons

·         Predominance of gin smell- way to pacify people and suppressing emotions

·         Links to other uses of drugs to dull pain of existence

·         Newspeak- dictionary mentioned, 11^th edition in 30-40 years demonstrating speed language narrowed

·         Controls very limits of potential thought and therefore eliminates concepts of dissension- links to Mao

·         Shortages of basic necessities- razor blades, buttons, darning wool and shoelaces- concentrate on trivia rather than  major issues- mind control

·         Winston increasingly aware of misleading Party

·         Facecrime- no individuality permitted

·         Conformity- regulation overalls, subscriptions ¼ salary- control

·         Tobacco falling out of cigarette- small comforts denied- symbolic