1984: Part 3 chapter 1-2

In Part 3, Chapter 1 of "1984," Winston is taken to the Ministry of Love. How does Orwell use the setting to reflect the themes of control and oppression? Provide specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

How does Orwell use the character of Parsons in Chapter 1 to illustrate the effects of Party indoctrination? Analyze how Parsons' behaviour and beliefs reflect the Party's influence on individuals.

In Chapter 2, how does the Party's manipulation of truth and reality affect Winston's perception of himself and the world around him? Explore how this manipulation challenges Winston's sense of identity and reality.

Discuss the significance of the phrase "2 + 2 = 5" in Chapter 2. How does it relate to the theme of control over thought? Analyze how this phrase encapsulates the Party's power to dictate reality.

To Build a Fire: ELL3

This story was so tragic!

1. What are the big mistakes that the main character makes on his journey?
2. Why did the man need to build a fire? (each time)
3. Why did the last fire go out?
4. How do we know that the man is too confident? Find examples in the story.
5. What emergency happens that causes the man to build a fire? Why is this event an emergency?
6. Why did the main character ignore the old man? (Use your own thinking!)
7. Where does this story take place and why is the man here?
8. Why does the man try to kill the dog, and why is he unable to do it?
9. In this desperate situation, how do the dog and the man differ in their ability to survive the cold?

Longer answer:

Can overconfidence ever be good or helpful?

Could this story have ended with the man's survival? What could he have done differently in order to survive?

PARAGRAPH(s)

PARAGRAPH(s)

Describe an ideal vacation. Think about these questions in your answer - why would you travel there? What activities would you plan? Who would you bring? 

Freud and Owell

Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis had much to say on the operation of our psychology. With a close look at Winston Smith in 1984, we see many opportunities for parallels. Check out the diagram in class for a little overview of his ideas.

All of the following quotes belong to Sigmund Freud:

• "Repression is the foundation on which the whole structure of psychoanalysis rests."
• "Dreams are the royal road to the unconscious."
• "Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways."

Find a parallel in part 1 for each quote. No need for citations from 1984 for this one. Simply identify a chapter and explain in a few sentences and elaborate on similarities.

And a tough one:

• "Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility."

You may have to interpret a little :)

ELL3: Choose 1!

PICK ONE!

1. In A Knight’s Tale, William pretends to be a nobleman to compete in jousting tournaments. How does the film show the idea of changing who you are? Do you think William’s actions are right or wrong? Use examples from the film to explain your answer.
2. William works very hard to go from being a peasant to a knight. How does the film show the challenges and rewards of following your dreams? Do you think hard work is enough to succeed, or do you also need luck? Explain your answer.

Part 1 chapter 4

1. How does the Party use language and memory to maintain power? Find at least two examples (with quotations) from Chapter 4 that demonstrate how the Party manipulates language and memory to control the population.
2. How does Chapter 4 develop the theme of truth and reality in 1984? Find at least three quotations that show how the Party distorts truth and creates its own version of reality. What is Orwell suggesting about the nature of truth in a totalitarian society?

English 12

 

We'll be writing a synthesis essay in the later stages of 1984. Going forward we'll be reading quite quickly. Complete the comprehension handouts and we'll look over these items in class to begin our overview.

1. Essay arguing the current validity of 1984 (Kakutani)
2. Why Nobody Cares The President is Lying (Sykes)
3. All of the Passages in 1984 that relate to you right now (Temple)
4. Letter that explains why Orwell wrote 1984 (Orwell)

Also, here is Orwell's Essay: Politics and the English Language cited from the video.

A Sound of Thunder

ELL3: Here we go!

1. How does the story show that people want to control nature? What are some good ways and bad ways that it shows this?
2. The "path" in the story is an important symbol. Think about why Eckels steps off the path and why Travis says we must not step off the path. Eckels thinks he is brave and courageous, but when he sees the dinosaur, he loses his courage. Of course, we don't want to change the past, but Eckels does it anyway. What does the path represent in the story?
3. In what ways does the story warn against using technology in bad ways?
4. Look at the part of the story that describes the tyrannosaurus rex. Find 3 examples that describe it in a scary way. Use quotation marks! After you find 3 quotes, explain how each one creates a scary effect.
1. Example: "Eckels swayed on the padded seat," (p. 363)