Background Information and Context

About the Author
“George Orwell” was the pen name of Eric Blair.
Orwell was an Englishman born in India in 1903. He died at age 47.
Orwell was educated at Eton, a prestigious boarding school in England.

More About the Author
Orwell decided to skip college and work as a British Imperial Policeman in Burma
He hated working in Burma and returned to English on sick-leave
Once back in England he dedicated himself to writing full time.
1984 was written in 1948

Orwell’s Political Views
He considered himself a democratic socialist and was critical of communism
He hated intellectuals, lying, cruelty, political authority, and totalitarianism
He strongly opposed Stalin and Hitler -- he was very outspoken during WWII

1984: Setting and Genre
Futuristic, cautionary novel
Setting: London, in the mythical country of Oceania, 1984 (in the future)

Characters: Winston Smith
Winston Smith: Main character and the narrator of the story.
Winston is a 39 year old low-ranking member of the ruling Party
He secretly hates Big Brother and harbors revolutionary dreams
Winston is thin, frail, contemplative, intellectual

Characters: Julia
Julia is Winston’s 25 year old lover
She is a beautiful, dark-haired woman who enjoys sex and claims to have had affairs with many Party members
She is optimistic and her rebellion is small and personal

Characters: O’Brien
A mysterious, powerful, and sophisticated member of the Inner Party
Winston believes O’Brien is a member of the “Brotherhood” -- a legendary group of anti-Party rebels
Winston trusts and admires O’Brien, but never quite figures him out

Characters: Mr. Charrington
A kind and encouraging old man who runs a second-hand shop in the prole district
He rents Winston and Julia a room without a telescreen so they can carry on their love affair
He seems supportive of Winston’s rebellion against the Party

Characters: Big Brother
Big Brother is the perceived ruler of Oceania -- he looks like a combination of Hitler and Stalin
Big Brother’s God-like image is stamped on coins and projected on telescreens -- his face is unavoidable

1984: Oceania’s Ranks
Oceania is a huge country ruled by The Party, which is led by a figure called “Big Brother”
The Inner Party (1% of pop.) control the country
The Outer Party (18% of pop.) are controlled by the Inner Party
The Proles (81% of pop.) are the labor power who live in poverty
The Brotherhood is an underground rebellion organization lead by Emmanuel Goldstein

1984: Newspeak
Newspeak is the official language of Oceania
The goal of the Party is to have Newspeak replace Oldspeak (standard English)
Newspeak eliminates undesirable words and invents new words -- all to force Party conformity

1984: Doublethink
Doublethink is the manipulation of the mind by making people accept contradictions
Doublethink makes people believe that the Party is the only institution that knows right from wrong
“The Ministry of Truth” (where Winston works) changes history, facts, and memories to promote Doublethink

1984: Story Overview
Winston is sick of his job fabricating and changing history at the “Ministry of Truth”
Winston has a sexual affair with Julia -- he trusts her and shares his rebellious thoughts with her
Winston wants to get involved with O’Brien, who he thinks is part of the Brotherhood rebellion
Eventually both Winston and Julia are captured by the Party