United States of Secrets

The Cold War 

McCarthyism

FBI spies on civil rights leaders

Nixon and Watergate

China, USSR, North Korea, The Program (USA post 9/11)

1984 by George Orwell

Chapter 1 Annotation/reading guide

Annotate for all the things you normally pay attention to, but make sure you pay attention and annotate for the following?

1. Who is the main character? What is he like physically, emotionally/psychologically, intellectually?

2. What is the setting of the novel? What are some defining characteristics of the setting, both in terms of location and time, and also the political/social/psychological characteristics of this society.

3.a.  What are the three slogans of the Party?

3.b.  Inferential Question: What, in your opinion, is strange about these statements, and what might they suggest about the society?

4. What does the caption on the posters say, and in your opinion does it seem to be comforting or threatening?

5. Name each of the Ministries and explain its function. Also include the Newspeak

name for each ministry.

6. What date does the main character record in his journal?

7.a. Describe the two people the main character sees just before the Two Minutes Hate.

Tell what he thinks of each of these people.

7.b. Inferential Question:  What seems to be the purpose of the Two-minute hate?  How might it serve the purposes of The Party?

8. Explain the importance of Emmanuel Goldstein. Also describe the way he is portrayed and what effect certain characteristics of his are meant to have on the citizens of Oceania.

9. How is Big Brother depicted in the posters, and why is he important in their society?

10. What crime does the main character commit? How does he do this? What is the punishment for this crime?

11. What is the telescreen and how is it used?

12. What is thoughtcrime?

13.  Which elements of this society do you find most disturbing and why? Which elements seem like possibilities for our future – if we let them happen - and why? Note:  Both partners should do some of the writing for this longer question.

HW: Read and annotate chapter 1 (pp 1-20) of Part 1 of 1984