English III: British Literature
1984, by George Orwell
Friday, 5/10/13: Answer part 1, chapter 2 questions.
1. Formulate what the Party’s use of “comrade” says about its political tendencies and how this places
1984 in a historical context.
“Comrade” is used by communist or totalitarian governments, such as the ones coming to power during
World War II. 1984 was written in 1949, four years after the end of WWII, and at the beginning of
tensions between western countries and communist Soviet Union.
2. Assess the role of children in Airstrip One. How are children trained to support the Party?
Children are viewed as informants who frequently turn in people, even their own parents, for
thoughtcrime. Through the Spies and viewing violent government-sponsored acts such as hangings,
children are indoctrinated into the Party’s beliefs from a young age.
3. Interpret the comment that O’Brien says in Winston’s dream and predict how it will reoccur in the
novel.
In Winston’s dream, O’Brien tells Winston “We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness.”
Winston believes this is a sign of a relationship between himself and O’Brien. It could foreshadow a
future.
4. Name and explain the three principles of INGSOC.
Three principles of INGSOC are: Newspeak (the Party’s official language and one which most effectively
communicates the Party’s message), doublethink (the ability to hold two opposite ideas in one’s mind at
one time), and mutability of the past (not holding on to any particular beliefs or events in the past, but
realizing that everything can and does change).
5. Explain Winston’s comment, “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death.
Engaging in thoughtcrime ensures one’s death via the thought police. Winston more openly considers
rebellion once he realizes that writing in his diary has already ensured his death warrant.