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Axes d'étude : Public & Private Spaces
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Introduction | George Orwell
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Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950) – known by his pen name George Orwell – was an English writer most well-known for his novels Animal Farms (1945) and 1894 (1949). In these two novels Orwell examines the dangers of totalitarian rule.
Animal Farm - an anti-Soviet satire - was one of Orwell’s finest works, full of wit and powerful language. Set in a farmyard, the story revolves around a group of animals who overthrow and chase off their human masters (farmers) in order to establish an egalitarian society. However, as the plot unfolds, the readers find out that their revolution is subverted by its leader (a pig named Napoleon) who seeks to secure his power over the others. He then forms a dictatorship which turns out to be much more oppressive, with a leader much more heartless than the former human masters. The best example of the pigs’ abuse of logic and language to control their underling is undoubtedly: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”
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Animal farm has been overshadowed by Orwell’s last book entitled 1984 – a novel he wrote as a warning against totalitarian regime. The story is set in a fictional future in which the world is being ruled by three totalitarian police states.
1984 is regarded as Orwell’s masterwork. It offerts a bleak vision of a world divided into 3 oppressive nations. With this book, Orwell provided the readers with a glimpse into what would the world become if government started to control both the public and private spheres, down to language itself.
1984 is regarded as Orwell’s masterwork. It offerts a bleak vision of a world divided into 3 oppressive nations. With this book, Orwell provided the readers with a glimpse into what would the world become if government started to control both the public and private spheres, down to language itself.
Chapter 1 | Opening lines
Lisez le texte, cherchez tous les mots que vous ne comprenez pas et répertoriez-les. Répondez ensuite aux questions.
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Lesson 1 |
The protagonist and the general atmosphere of this imaginary future
1984 is a novel written in 1949 by the British author George Orwell. The plot is set in London in an imaginary future, and the first chapter presents the harsh and oppressive world in which the protagonist (the main character), Winston Smith, lives.
As this chapter unfolds, the reader is given further details on the settings:
“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen”. (line 1)
The very first sentence of the book captures the whole essence of the story. For the reader, the world W. Smith lives in doesn’t make any sense: in London, “bright and cold” April days are uncommon, and traditional clocks don’t “strike 13” (this is an odd number).
« The world looked cold » (line 21)
Again, this line emphasises the dull and bleak atmosphere that pervades the story.
Winston Smith is an employee of The Ministry of Truth – a Ministry in charge of rewriting History. He has to wear the uniform of The Party: « blue overalls » (line 17). « The Party » (line 17). The use of « the » and not « a » implies that there is only one party, and everyone must know which one it is. The reader is thus inclined to think that England has become a dictatorship.
Physically speaking, Winston is described / portrayed as a rather small, skinny fair-haired man. As W.Smith is walking home, he can’t help noticing the huge posters of Big Brother that are displayed absolutely everywhere.
Those posters depict the “enormous face” (line 20) of a man with a moustache and naturally handsome features. When we look at it, we get the impression that this man is following us with his eyes. The caption beneath it reads: « Big Brother is Watching You ». It seems like this poster is part of the propaganda implemented by the government. The poster is used to scare people into behaving The Party want them to.
Lesson 2 |
1984 Totalitarian World
The Ministry of Truth
A ministry in charge of rewriting history so that it suits the Party’s endeavours. Winston works for the Ministry and his role is to rewrite historical records to align with the Party’s ever-changing version of history.
A ministry in charge of rewriting history so that it suits the Party’s endeavours. Winston works for the Ministry and his role is to rewrite historical records to align with the Party’s ever-changing version of history.
The Thought police:
A state police who discover and punish thoughtcrime – a personal thought judged as unacceptable by the Party because it contradicts the Party’s ideology. It is inforced through informers, CCTVs and telescreens. A telescreen is a propaganda television set that also records its owners : ‘(…) he could be seen as well as heard’ (line 29).
The Party's Slogan:
At first sight, these combinations of words sound bizarre and contradictory. However, it encapsulates the concept of ‘Doublethink’ – a process of indoctrination whereby a person is expected to accept a clearly false statement as the truth.
At first sight, these combinations of words sound bizarre and contradictory. However, it encapsulates the concept of ‘Doublethink’ – a process of indoctrination whereby a person is expected to accept a clearly false statement as the truth.
WAR IS PEACE
War is Peace : the idea behind this statement is that if a country is at war against another, its people will be united and their attention will be kept elsewhere. In doing so, people won’t be aware of the Party’s controlling actions.
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
Freedom is slavery : according to the Party a free society is bound to fail, for it will devolve into chaos and anarchy. Free will is a burden, and freedom is a vulnarability. A person following the Party will be free from harm whereas a person with free will loses the protection of Big Brother.
IGNORANCE is strength
Ignorance is strength : ignorance is indeed strength for the Party, for keeping its people ignorant is a way of controlling them more easily. A governement cannot be challenged by its citizens if they are ignorant of the truth. Without critical thinking, they can only believe what they are told.
The Concept of Big Brother
Big Brother is a fictional character and symbol that is pictured on huge posters scattered / spread over the city. It adds to the concept of people always being watched. Big Brother is supposed to be the person that looks after you and watch your every step in order to protect you. However, in the plot Big Brother is a symbol of the Party’s totalitarianism, and is used to enforce compliance.
Big Brother is a fictional character and symbol that is pictured on huge posters scattered / spread over the city. It adds to the concept of people always being watched. Big Brother is supposed to be the person that looks after you and watch your every step in order to protect you. However, in the plot Big Brother is a symbol of the Party’s totalitarianism, and is used to enforce compliance.