1984 Concept Map

1984 Concept Map

1. Themes

   • Totalitarianism: Orwell creates a totalitarian society through his use of a modern day government that holds absolute power. The oppression and laws the government and its bodies inflicts upon on society emphasises totalitarianism nature. The government monitors and controls every aspect of human life to the extent that even having a disloyal thought is against the law. For example, the use of omnipresent signs “BIG BROTHER WATCHING YOU”, which emphasises the idea that the government is an all seeing body.
     • Rebellion: The protagonist Winston and his actions which starts from writing in a diary sets him on a trajectory course of rebellion against the party. The diary is a symbol , a place where he unleashes rebellious thoughts. Additionally, his rebellious nature is expressed through his relationship with Julia which is of direct resistance to the Party’s rule. Julia is also a character used to express the theme of rebellion through her private acts of engaging in sex that goes against the party’s rules.
       • Manipulation: the theme of manipulation is also expressed through the party’s rule as they seek to control everything: “past, present and future”. In order to attain this the government manipulates sources of information which includes rewriting historical records and documentary evidence for its own fain. Additionally, their strict regime further manipulates citizens as they are unable to think for themselves.
         • Loss of Identity: The totalitarian government within 1984 adopts strategies to blend individuals into a collective identity. The underlying theme of a lost identity is highlighted through the uniformity in food, clothes, activities and what the individuals here and think. Additionally, government bodies eradicate senses of individual identity which is expressed through the torturing of Winston as a character.

2. Characters

   • Winston:1984’s protagonist. Working 39 year old living in Oceania believing the year he currently is living in is 1984. He is a minor member of the party, works at the Ministry of the Truth and collects error in past publications, yet has a secret hatred for the totalitarian regime. In order to protect himself from discovery does conform to majority of the party’s rule but relishes his internal world of dreams, memories and speculation about the past.
     • Julia:Winstons ‘lover’(the two don’t have a serious emotional relationship), and works at the Ministry of Truth. Consistently rebels against the Party as she acts in sexual relationships including many with Party members. However, her rebellion against the party is for her own enjoyment and is more personal in contrast to Winston’s idealogical motivations.
       • Emmanuel Goldstein:Goldstein is the legendary leader of the Brotherhood. He seems to have been a Party leader who fell out of favor with the regime. The Party describes him as the most dangerous and treacherous man in Oceania.
   • O'Brien:A significant inner party members who Winston feels he has a strong bond with. Is dedicated as being an intelligent and graceful man, who leads Winston to believe he is part of an anti party rebellious group yet instead turns Winston in for through crime.
     • Syme:Collegue of Winston who works with him at the Ministry of Truth, specialising in language. Winston believes that Syme is too intelligent to stay in the party’s favour as he is also too vocal.He predicts Syme will be vaporized, and is proven correct when he suddenly disappears.
       • BIG BROTHER:known as the symbol of the party and Ocenia. Big Brother is Winston’s nations supreme leader, and is omnipresent. His presence is expressed through telvision screenings, coins and posters that warn “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU”. Is believed to be one of the original founders of the Party although Winston doesn’t believe this.

3. Symbols

   • Telescreen: a symbol of constant surveillance. . It represents the total power of a regime over its people, which includes an invasion of privacy as they can also see the lives of people inside their homes.
     • Glass Paperweight:o a symbol of Winston's past, a childhood he barely remembers, and a time when people expressed their individuality in the decor of their homes. The paperweight represents not only history but also creativity, art, and love of beautiful things, all obliterated by the Party.
       • 2+2=5:Symbolises complete manipulation the Party has over the minds of people. Although the equation is false it is accepted by society as the government believes it is right. This solidifies the powerful regime of the government as they enforce their version of the truth upon citizens.
         • Newspeak:Is a symbol for the total thought control by the Party. Newspeak is the revision of the meaning of words, where words are also reduced. This is a method of reducing the power of individuals within society which symbolizes the totalitarian regime within society
   • Big Brother: Big Brother: is the symbol of the party and its laws. for example, the posters all over London that states “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” everywhere he goes. The citizens are told that he is the leader of the nation and the head of the Party, The face of Big Brother symbolizes the Party in its public manifestation; he is a reassurance to most people, but he is also an open threat.