1984 Group at eNotes

What are two examples of doublethink from recent history?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:43:49 PST

What are two examples of doublethink from recent history?

There is irony in Winston's writing in his diary. There is little...

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:43:33 PST

There is irony in Winston's writing in his diary. There is little doubt that he wrote even one word in the book without "someone" knowing about it; although this is not a "fact" when the book starts, we soon "know" it to be a fact. In terms of the structure of the novel, Orwell uses the diary to involve us in the plot (he does this with another book later in the book when he needs/wishes to convey information...

The diary is a symbol for Winston's desire to be free. He is unable to...

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:38:52 PST

The diary is a symbol for Winston's desire to be free. He is unable to speak his mind, think his true thoughts, or do anything that may mark him as a suspicious character. Even his facial expressions can give him away...he must be in complete control of himself all the time. In the diary, he can write what he is thinking and feeling without the fear of being turned in by someone nearby. Of course, there is always the possibility that...

How does the diary function as a literary device in "1984"?

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:27:55 PST

How does the diary function as a literary device in "1984"?

I would think it certainly can, although it probably wouldn't look like...

Sun, 6 Jul 2008 17:34:55 PST

I would think it certainly can, although it probably wouldn't look like their society. The key to this is our lack of knowledge of the past and the manipulation of our lack of knowledge by politicans, businessmen and other people who stand to benefit from this manipulation. Part of this is due to the proliferation of information that is around us. "Once upon a time" we did not have access to enough information to make a decision;...

Winston needs an outlet. It is too difficult to keep everything inside...

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 14:58:36 PST

Winston needs an outlet. It is too difficult to keep everything inside and not show it on his face. The facial ticks and expressions are what endanger him and what will give away his thoughts. So, in order to lessen that danger and threat, he needs an outlet.

Discussion on Winston's Diary

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 08:40:43 PST

Discuss Winston’s need to continue his diary despite the obvious implications of capture and punishment.

The daily lives of these children included playing "SPY" and...

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 05:34:45 PST

The daily lives of these children included playing "SPY" and catching their mother and the neighbors doing things considered wrong and against Party rules. As a result, their mother was a nervous wreck all the time, their father gets shipped off to the torture chamber to confess, and Winston is put on eggshells whenever he encounters them in the hall.The Party creates and instills more fear into the society by using the children. ...

Discusion on the Parsons' children

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 13:56:11 PST

Examine the ways in which the Party makes itself stronger by influencing the youth of Oceania. Discuss the daily lives of the Parsons’ children.

Winston tells Julie that the real betrayal will be if the Party could...

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:06:09 PST

Winston tells Julie that the real betrayal will be if the Party could make them actually stop loving one another. They both realize that, under duress, they will inevitably confess their forbidden love, because, as Julie observes, "everybody always confesses. You can't help it. They torture you". Wilson, however, says, "Confession is not betrayal. What you say or do doesn't matter; only feelings matter. If they could...

In "1984," what does Winston tell Julia the real betrayal will...

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:35:48 PST

In "1984," what does Winston tell Julia the real betrayal will be?

Big Brother, who is the embodiment of the Party, literally recreates...

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:34:34 PST

Big Brother, who is the embodiment of the Party, literally recreates the past to suit his objectives. Winston is one of the select few who know this about Big Brother; he is intimately involved in this deception personally because his job at the Ministry of Truth requires him to fabricate documentary evidence to support whatever Big Brother chooses to be the truth at the moment. Comrade Withers, beloved by the masses, had been a...

What does Winston know about Big Brother that many other people don't...

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:39:50 PST

What is it that happens to Comrade Withers? I was told it had to do with Big Brother but I'm not seeing it.

The Brotherhood is the secret, anti-government organization headed by...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:48:16 PST

The Brotherhood is the secret, anti-government organization headed by Emmanuel Goldstein. Whether or not the organization really exists is not made 100% clear, but it is doubtful that it exists. More likely, it, as well as Goldstein, are made up by the government of Oceania as a means of seeking out revolutionaries and anarchists. Also, by letting people believe that this person and organization exists and then by showing people the...

Why do you think Orwell wrote 1984, what is the book's purpose?

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 15:52:26 PST

Why do you think Orwell wrote 1984, what is the book's purpose?

What is the role of the brotherhood in "1984"?

Sun, 8 Jun 2008 19:46:42 PST

Does it exist? Are there perhaps two brotherhoods of which one is controlled by the government which Obrien is part of, and one Winston never found? Any specific functions that the Brotherhood has? I'm a bit confused about brotherhood, hope you can help!

The irony of the Chestnut Cafe is simply this: in a bar, people are at...

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:50:37 PST

The irony of the Chestnut Cafe is simply this: in a bar, people are at their most relaxed. Patrons go to a bar to do what they want to do, drink, play pool, meet friends. The whole concept of a meeting place, bar, relaxed atmosphere is mocked because the Chestnut Cafe is a completely controlled environment pretending to be something that is no longer part of society, a place to be free. Winston is drawn to an environment that should...

The irony of the Chestnut Tree Cafe is that although all of...

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 18:32:41 PST

The irony of the Chestnut Tree Cafe is that although all of Winston's needs are met there and every effort is made to ensure his physical comfort, none of it matters anymore. Like the Victory Gin which is made with artificial sweeteners to mask the horrible stink underneath, the Cafe is a facade, camoflaging under the guise of luxury and civility the fact that Winston is essentially dead. Since his release from the Ministry of Love,...

What is ironic about the Chestnut Tree Cafe in the novel "1984"?

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 17:02:29 PST

What is ironic about the Chestnut Tree Cafe in the novel "1984"?

This question has been asked and answered. Please see the link below for...

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 10:45:46 PST

This question has been asked and answered. Please see the link below for more information, and thank you for using eNotes!