1984 (2876 words)

1984 -George Orwell
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 explains parts about Newspeak. They are joined by Parsons. Winston
thinks of the fate that each co-worker will recieve. Syme will be
vapourized because he is to smart, where Parsons is dull enough to escape
vapourization. He is the only one who has not been taken over by the
propaganda that is always being brodcast. He notices the same girl from
the other day starring at him and thinks it is the thought police.

Reaction
The Golden country that he dreams about is definatly a release or a
freedom from the the drabness of London. Also from the party. We are
introduced to the fact that he has no mother or father or sisters or
brothers anymore because they were taken by the party. He is realizing that
he is rebelling against the party and he understands that he is at risk.

Winston is in search of the truth and is concerned because of the party’s
ability to change history. We find that he likes his work even though it is
for the party and against morals. He is introduced to the girl that will
play a big part in the book most likely.

Quotes
“People in the Records Department did not talk readily about there jobs.”
“Winstons greatest pleasure in life was his work”
1984
-George Orwell
TUESDAY, NOV