BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU
Nineteen Eighty-Four George OrwellThis novel is probably the most significant novel written in English in the 20th century. It mainly explores the issues of power and the individual's relationship with the state.
Every detail in the novel is real. It is true that the real year 1984 was not like this in the UK but Orwell based his Airstrip One and Oceania on the USSR and Nazi Germany. Understanding a little about history will help. Much of our study will involve reading and discussing. At the end of most lessons, you will summarise your learning on your Nineteen Eighty-Four GoogleDoc. The idea is that by adding your learning to your GoogleDoc, you will build up a set of valuable notes that might be used for preparing your IOP assessment. Background to the novel - George Orwell the personBackground to the novel - The Real Room 101This YouTube video might be good as an introduction to the novel as a whole. I think it would be better to watch after you have read the novel. It contains plot spoilers and refers to details in the novel that might not make much sense unless you know the novel.
Utopia and dystopia
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Use the button above to download a pdf of the novel. Use the button below to download Animal Farm, an earlier work of Orwell's that explores similar themes.
Below are some links to articles by and about Orwell and his relevance today.
Orwell's purposeThe button below will download Orwell's essay "Why I write." Essentially, he writes when there is some evil he wants to expose.
Key ideas/themes
The Big Brother Magic Sentence will help you connect the author's purpose with techniques and ideas. The link gives you access to a GoogleDoc. Open the link and make a copy for yourself. Then personalise it. The button above links to an article in The Boston Review about the power of language as a means of control. Very interesting and relevant in more recent times than the late 1940s.
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Reviewing Term 1 2014 - Survey
Since Big Brother has been watching you all term, it is only fair that you get to evaluate what has been happening in class so far. Can you fill out the following survey before the end of term. Your responses will be used to help me plan Term 2. Thank you in advance.