SUMMER BLOG ASSIGNMENT #2--DUE THURSDAY, JULY 14; RESPONSE IS REQUIRED

We will post a required response for both 1984 and SUNS so that everyone can start to really think about the significance of these novels before classes begin. If you have any questions or feel confused about parts of the novel, you should absolutely include that in your response. The purpose is to help guide you through this reading (and for some to save you from yourselves and encourage you to get that required reading finished on time). The TWO parts of this required response are listed below.

1) Please respond to one of the following using supporting details from the novel to support your answer.

2) Please respond to the comments of another student. What specifically about their comments interest you? Do you agree or disagree, and most importantly….why?

****YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH 1) AND 2) ABOVE! A FEW SENTENCES ARE SUFFICIENT.

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOR RESPONSE
I. Besides Winston, whom do you think is the most significant/ interesting character? Why?

II. What do you think is the significance of the novel’s ending? What is Orwell’s message by ending this way?

III. Compare some aspect of the society in the novel to American society today (or in the last decade)? Are there any surprising similarities? (Differences are plentiful and obvious, so if you choose this question focus on similarities).

PLEASE AVOID REPETITION. IF OTHERS HAVE ALREADY SAID WHAT YOU ARE THINKING, CHOOSE A DIFFERENT QUESTION FOR RESPONSE, CHOOSE A DIFFERENT ANGLE ON THAT QUESTION, OR COME UP WITH A TOPIC OF YOUR OWN FOR RESPONSE. (THESE QUESTIONS ARE JUST A GUIDE…..IF YOU WISH TO RESPOND TO ANTOHER ASPECT OF THE NOVEL, FEEL FREE TO INTRODUCE A NEW TOPIC.)

The following quotes are from 1984. Can you identify the speaker? (Hint.....you'll have to on the test! THIS IS A SAMPLING FROM THE QUOTE IDENTIFICATION SECTION.)

“It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words. Of course the great wastage is in the verbs and adjectives, but there are hundreds of nouns that can be got rid of as well.”

“Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St. Clement’s. That was a rhyme we had when I was a little boy. How it goes on, I don’t remember, but I do know it ended up, Here comes a candle to light you to bed, Here comes a chopper to chop off your head.”

“The rhyme was ‘rod.’ Do you realize that there are only twelve rhymes to ‘rod’ in the entire language? For days I had racked my brains. There was no other rhyme.”

“You are the last man…You are the guardian of the human spirit. You shall see yourself as you are.”

1984 part III-- Look for a REQUIRED RESPONSE post coming soon!

You should now be finished with 1984. Here are some questions to consider. They are taken from the upcoming test you will see during the first week of classes.

1. Why is it impossible for Winston to tell what time of day it is in the Ministry of Love?
2. Of what does everyone in Winston's cell seem to be dying?
3. Describe O'Brien's actions in the Ministry of Love. What is his ultimate goal?
4. What does O'Brien say is the difference between the Party killing its members and the Catholic Inquisition of the Middle Ages?
5. Why does O'Brien say the Party seeks power?
6. What is the meaning of the term "crimestop"?
7. What happens in room 101?
8. Describe the events after Winston is released. What ultimately happens to him?
9. What do you think is Orwell's overall message(s) in this novel?

HAVE A HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! WE WILL OFFER A MEETING TIME SOON FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE NOVEL.

1984- Part II

By now, you should be finished with part two of 1984. Some questions to think about for the test and for discussion include the following: (Again, I suggest you WRITE OUT answers to these questions and of course post any thoughts or questions that you have).

1. Describe Julia's feelings about the Party.
2. Who is Syme, and what is his significance to the novel?
3. Explain the importance of O'Brien. How do you think he will be important in the overall theme and plot in the parts of the novel yet to come?
4. Describe another of Winston's dreams about his family. Why is the dream significant?
5. Describe the meeting between Julia, Winston, and O'Brien. What are some of the important details that emerge to the reader during this meeting?
6. What are some of the main ideas in Goldstein's book?
7. What is Ingsoc and it's central tenet?
8. What is doublethink?
9. What eventually happens to Julia and Winston in the room over the antique shop? What role does Charrington play?

The items above are hints about the questions you might see on the test. Please post any questions you might have now, so you are ready when we return to school.

I hope you are finding the novel interesting!

PACING FOR 1984

In order to stay current with the summer reading, I recommend the following for 1984:

Have part II (through page 185) read by the end of this week (June 25).

Have part III (through the end of the book) read by July 1.

You should absolutely have the novel finished by the end of June, in order to begin Suns in early July.

Also, if anyone is interested in getting together at the end of June to discuss 1984, let us know and we will offer some dates/times.

Questions about part I are welcome! I encourage you to post any questions or comments about part I of 1984 to the comments section of the corresponding blog post. It might help clear up any confusion you are having over the novel, plus we will know that you are reading!!!

Hope you are having a great summer!

WELCOME TO 1984

By now you should already be reading 1984 and ideally should have part one (through page 87) read by the end of next week. If you follow the reading guide posted for you (1984 by the end of June and SUNS by the end of July), you will be in great shape by the time we return in August. Small pieces is the best way to handle this material.

On this blog, I will post study questions that should help you prepare for the test you will have during the first week of school. If you have questions or find yourself completely confused, PLEASE post a question. Don't worry about feeling silly for asking. I guarantee that if you are confused about something, you're not the only one.

THE TEST WILL INCLUDE QUESTIONS OVER THEMES AND IDEAS AND ALSO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT PLOT DETAILS TO CHECK FOR CAREFUL READING. Yet another reason to take detailed notes as you read.

Now, on to the study questions. I recommend WRITING OUT ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS YOU READ, as well as TAKING SEVERAL PAGES OF NOTES over the plot. Also, WRITE OUT ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE OVER THE NOVEL as you read. If you leave 1984 in June and go on to SUNS in July, it will be nice to look back on your notes over 1984 at the beginning of the school year as a reminder.

PART ONE QUESTIONS
1. What is the significance of the "Party" posters described at the beginning of the novel?
2. Explain the Two-Minutes Hate.
3. What is the irony in taking children to the park in the novel?
4. Describe the children in the novel. What are their attitudes towards adults? Describe their behavior.
5. Describe the dream Winston has about his family? Why do you think this might be significant?
6. Describe Winston's job. How does he feel about it?
7. What items are rationed and what items are made plentiful? Why are these items significant to the plot and theme of the novel?
8. Describe the Proles? Who are they? Why are they important? What are their values?
9. What is the Party's view of marriage? Describe Winston's marriage and his feelings for his wife.
10. What was the one possession Winston had held that was "concrete, unmistakable evidence of an act of falsification " by the party?
11. Explain the Party's view of capitalism.
12. Make a list of some of the terms used in the novel that are unique to this community controlled by Big Brother.
13. Make a list of things from the novel that have confused you or interested you so far.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO POST AN ANSWER TO OR QUESTION ABOUT AT LEAST ONE OF THESE ITEMS. DISCUSSING IT AS WE READ IS THE BEST WAY TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NOVEL AND PREPARE FOR THE TEST AND ASSIGNMENTS THAT ACCOMPANY THIS WORK.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS NOVEL. HAPPY READING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS!

THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSES! IF YOU'VE EMAILED ME AND HAVEN'T HEARD BACK, PLEASE TRY AGAIN:)

Thanks to all who have posted responses to the blog question! It was nice to see all of your different ideas about what you consider to be qualities of a scholar. I am impressed with your answers, and I enjoyed reading them.

As you can imagine, I began receiving many, many emails as we neared Monday's due date. Some of you were having problems posting, lost your invitation, etc. I have tried to respond to all of them; however, if you emailed me and did not receive a response, please try again (preferably to my yahoo account for now). I didn't mean to overlook any of your questions; I just have received a very large quantity of messages in the last few days and want to make sure everyone receives a response.

Check back soon for discussion over 1984! If you haven't started on the novel, now is the time! Happy reading!