1984 – Final Task
R. Efpatridis
Each person will select a final creative task to complete that will reflect his/her understanding of the main concepts
presented in the novel. Each task requires critical thinking to select evidence from the text that will best support each
specific topic. Each task also requires creative thinking as students will be required to present their information to their
peers and teacher using a concrete and innovative product. Each task will only be
completed by 3 students. Tasks will be selected by random draw.
For each task, assume the premise that you are living in our current year looking back
at the events that have occurred in the novel.
1.
Create a front page of a newspaper that might have existed in Oceania in the
year 1984. This task requires you to produce at least 4 stories that would
warrant being placed on the front page. All the stories can be based on actual
events that occur in the novel or might have occurred given the living conditions
and state of control exerted by a totalitarian government. All information must
be presented from the Party’s point of view and be produced from the
perspective of the Records Department.
Review an actual front page of the Toronto Star. Your front page should include
a banner, highlights of other sections, sidebars to present extraneous
information, ads, etc. Given our digital age, your final product can be created
in Word and submitted as a hard copy, or it can be produced digitally on a
webpage or other format.
2.
3.
4.
Create a scrapbook to reflect at least 10 mementos and/or memorabilia that
citizens of Oceania have secretly hidden from the Party. These items have not
been destroyed using the infamous memory holes, and thus, would be
considered contraband and if found, would lead to severe punishment or
death by the Party. Some of the items must directly tie to events and
situations in the novel and can be computer generated. However, some of the
items must be tangible physical objects that can be distributed for
conversation. They can be literal objects or symbolic of concepts/ideas
presented in the novel. The scrapbook should be presented from the
perspective of ONE character. Again, any creative form of final product is
invited. ie. Items organized in an actual small scrapbook or shadow box, etc.
Create original song lyrics or a lyrical poem that will summarize the actual
events of the novel. The lyrics may be comical, serious, a parody, etc. Set the
lyrics to music. The background music should create a mood reflective of the
lyrics. The music does not need to be completely original, but give credit
where credit is due! Make sure that it does not overpower the presentation of
the lyrics. The example at right may help.
Create a photo montage/essay that depicts the events of the novel, and the
major concepts conveyed through Orwell’s text. Your choice of photos should
encapsulate the situations and scenarios presented by Orwell as a criticism and
condemnation of various oppressive political regimes throughout the world.
This task requires you to review some of the background notes provided on
Orwell: where he lived, and how this influenced his writing prior to his death,
and why. Ultimately, this task measures your ability to identify the author’s
purpose for writing 1984 and some of his other critical essays, and connect his
tone to modern day issues and concepts that are still relevant and significant. A
narration of the significance of the slides/photos should also be included.
5. Create a type of Spoon River Anthology resurrecting many of Oceania’s dead
to relate their experiences and explain what really happened to them. Edgar
Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology was published in 1915. Unconventional in
both style and content, it shattered the myths of small town American life. It is
a collection of anecdotes, epitaphs, and autobiographical stories of residents of
a small town, which provides readers with a complete understanding of what it
was like to really live in Spoon River. Your collection of narratives and poems
will allow the reader to piece together fragments of information about 8
residents of Oceania who have “gone missing”. Tell us the truth about their
lives – without fear of consequences or reprimand! They deserve it!
The name’s Macbeth,
I’ll rap death until my last breath,
“Scotland!” that’s where you find my address.
Started with me and Banquo meeting these witches,
They said my future would soon hold kingly riches,
I found out that the Cawdor title was mine,
And suddenly thoughts of jealousy
Were filling my mind.
This greed be easy to sip like a slurpee,
So feeling kingly, I checked in with my queen bee,
My lady, she was like: “Why you thinking maybe?”
Killing this king will be
like stealing haggis from a baby.”
I’m wavering, she’s telling me to be a man,
I’m like, “Man, I guess we’ll go through with the
plan,”
Let it begin, slip the guards 10 shots of gin,
I wait for them to pass out, then commence to sin.
I throw conscience to the wind,
My throat tight as a glove,
And I see this vision of a dagger dripping with blood.
But I proceed, past the guards, to the king’s bedside.
Creep up! I’mma make sure he don’t wake up!
You ever taken a man’s life? I have…
I plunged the dagger so deep,
Now he’s resting in peace, I hear a scream…
“Sleep no more, Macbeth murders sleep!”
These guilty thoughts in my head
Something I don’t want to keep.
My lady plants bloody daggers
On the passed-out guards,
We wash the blood from our hands
And escape through the yard.
They say the first murder is the hardest,
After that first night, I had no problem taking a life.
Remember what them witches said
About Banquo’s kids?
Well, I sent off three hit men to murder them quick.
They stab the father, but miss the son,
And now Fleance is fleeing, yeah I got him on the run.
It’s hard to host a party when your best friend’s
ghost,
Shows up to haunt you,
While you’re busy making a toast. . .
This is obviously incomplete as it does not
summarize all the events.