1984 -George Orwell

SUNDAY, NOV 14, 1993

Summary Chapter 1 and 2

We are introduced to Winston Smith the main character of the story.

Works at Ministry of truth. Ministry of truth is one of four government

buildings in destroyed London, the main city of Airstrip One, a province of

Oceania. Year is 1984 and three contries are at war, Oceania, Eurasia and

Eastasia. Oceania is run by the party whose leader is Big Brother.

Winston is sick of his life in the ruined city and decides to keep a diary.

This is against the law in Oceania. He felt his feelings begin to hate

Emmanuel Goldstein, leader of the enemy party. He also spots O'Brien, a

party leader whose eyes he see's a bit of political sympthy. See's young

girl who he dislikes. He feels it is only a matter of time before his

though crimes are detected. A knock at the door he thinks is police. Mrs.

Parsons, his neighbor is at the door and asked him to unclog a sink. He

does it but smells sweat all over the apartment. Mrs. Parsons is a

follower of party doctrine and a fellow employee at the ministry. The

children are members of Spies, a youth that encourages spying and telling

on traitors, including parents. Winston is revolted. He returns home and

writes a couple more minutes before going back to work. He remenbers a

dream where O'Brien tole him he would meet him in a place wher there is no

darkness. He washes his hands and hides the diary

Reaction

Major ideas, conflicts and themes are introduced. We are shown how the

earth has changed, into 3 main contenients. we are also introduced to the

main character and how he fits into the new world. Also we are shown how

the computer age has taken over peoples minds. The language is easy to

understand, it has not really changed much over time. Seems like nothing

left after nuclear war, just ruins remaining. We are introduced to Tom

Parsons which Winston is contrasted with. The city is very drab.

Quotes

"Big brother is watching you, the caption beneath it said"

"Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed for ever."

1984

-George Orwell

MONDAY, NOV 15, 1993

Summary Chapter 3,4 and 5

Waking from dreams, he remembers his mother and sister, and can barely

remember their disappearence and feels responsible for there deaths. He

has another dream where he is in the perfect countryside with the girl he

had noticed eariler. He dreamed she stripped for him. This time he is

woken up by the telescreen, telling him to do his exercises. He thinks

about how much power the Party has over all information. Begins work at

the ministry of truth. His job is to correct printed articles in line with

the Party's orders. The Ministry and records department jobs are to

rewrite history to make the party look good. They get a break because of

the 2 minute hate. When he gets back he replaces a speech by Big Brother

with invented history. Makes up story about a man named Ogilvy. The

article had become contrary to the present party policy. It is replaced as

though is never existed. Winston meets Syme, a philologist, for lunch.

Syme