1984 Journals 1-4
Journal-Writing Process:
The journal paragraphs are a three step process:
1. The lead in...directing the reader to the part of the text you are looking to address.
2. The quotation...providing enough information but using ellipses or another form to eliminate
unnecessary parts of the equation.
3. The analysis...using a literary term and a word or two DIRECTLY from the quote to link to the writer's
concept(s). Using “writer,” “reader,” or the name of the author is essential to staying in analysis mode.
Journal 1: Complete by the end of class on 2/8
Use close reading strategies to write an analysis of ONE of the following passages:
◦ Main paragraph on p. 32 (“The pain of the coughing fit…”)
◦ Main paragraph on p. 43 (“And the Records…”)
◦ Main paragraph on p. 47 (“At the age of…”)
Journal 2: Complete by the end of class on 2/12
Use close reading strategies to write an analysis of ONE of the following passages:
◦ Middle paragraph on p. 53 (“The proles are not human…”)
◦ Paragraph beginning on p. 58 (“The phrase ‘our new, happy life’…”)
◦ Paragraph beginning on p. 65 (“The aim of the Party…”)
Journal 3: Complete by the end of class on 2/14
Use close reading strategies to write an analysis of ONE of the following passages:
◦ Paragraph beginning at the bottom of p. 81 (“He had walked several…”)
◦ Main paragraph on p. 86 (“But if there is a hope…”)
◦ Main paragraph on p. 101 (“For a few seconds…”)
Journal 4: Complete by the end of class on 2/19
Write an analysis of a theme you find in the reading (p. 105-126). Show how three literary elements develop
the theme. For example, you may explain how power is developed as an important theme in the reading, and
you may write a paragraph on how the characters show the theme of power, how the dialogue shows the
theme of power, and how the imagery shows the theme of power.
Submit Journals 1-4 to turnitin.com by the end of class on 2/21.
Sample Journal:
In chapter one, repetition is a key literary element Orwell uses when referencing the Party, especially
the Party’s slogan: “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength” (Orwell 27). The author repeats
this phrase, three times thus far in the reading, to demonstrate how a contradictory thought, when repeated
enough, loses its contradictory presence and becomes accepted. In the novel, the Party clearly uses this to its
advantage to maintain control over Oceania.
On page 27, Orwell uses personification to give human characteristics to the everyday items that have
been imprinted with Big Brother’s image: “Even from the coin the eyes followed you...Always the eyes
watching you and the voice enveloping you” (Orwell 27). The author gives the coin the ability to watch the
citizens of Oceania to demonstrate how the Party uses fear to rule.
On page 29, Orwell uses dreaming to tell the story of Winston’s family: “He was out in the light and air
and they were being sucked down to death…because he was up here” (Orwell 29). Orwell reveals that
Winston’s parents disappeared to during a period of purging. Winston repeatedly hints to some situation that
he does not reveal that required his family to suffer for him to be successful.
Another Sample Journal:
In chapter one of the novel, the author George Orwell continues to introduce the audience to the
protagonist, whose name is Winston: “…Winston, who was thirty nine, and had a varicose ulcer…” (Orwell 1).
This ulcer is a symbol that represents pain and stress. Although at first it may seem that its only cause physical
pain and stress to Winston Smith, there is more than meets the eye. A literary device known as symbolism is
used to depict not only physical pain and stress, but also reveals stress and pain on the emotional and mental
side of the protagonist. Although the outside factors that contribute to this ulcer are not known at this point
in the novel, the audience can guess that Winston must be going through times of distress and maybe even
crisis.
During chapter three, the narrator talks about the Party’s past and therefore Oceania’s past: “If the
Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, it never happened - that, surely, was
more terrifying than mere torture and death” (Orwell 34). Personification endows human physical
characteristics or abilities to anything that is indeed not human. This quote uses personification to make the
ruling party of London seem like they have a good amount of power and control over many things, which is
ironic because it kind of already does. This literary device was utilized in this way most likely to reveal to the
readers information about the past of the party and Oceania.
In the midst of chapter three, Winston’s thoughts about the ruling Party of London’s control of
memory and history are revealed to the audience: ““Who controls the past,” ran the party slogan, “controls
the future: who controls the present controls the past”” (Orwell 35). Juxtaposition is used here to energize the
creativity between the past and future, so the audience is drawn to then pay more attention. This literary
term is an aid to this Party slogan, which is an example of how this government tries to manipulate its peoples’
minds and thoughts.