1984

 Today we are going to finish Part 1 of 1984, and discuss debate.

Book One, Chapters 5-7

1. What is the problem with obtaining razor blades?

2. What is revealed about Inner Party philosophy in the discussion between Winston and Syme?

3. Why does Winston feel that Syme will be vaporized?

4. Parsons brags about his children for doing what?

5. What is the significance of the telescreen announcement?

6. What are Winston’s feelings about the present time after he hears the cheerful announcement on the telescreen?

7. Winston predicts that certain people will be vaporized and that certain people will never be vaporized. Who? Why?

8. What is the purpose of marriage in the state?

9. What do Winston’s memories about visiting a prostitute reveal about his attitudes towards sex in Oceania?

10. How does Winston view the proles?

11. How are the proles controlled (prole control)?

12. What lies/half-truths does the Party teach about history?

13. Winston suspects that the Party lies about progress made since the war. What Party claims does he doubt?

14. What is the story of Aaronson, Jones and Rutherford?

15. Why is this story so meaningful for Winston?

16. What is Winston’s unanswered question?

Book One, Chapter 8

1. Why does Winston go off on his own? What activities is he missing out on?

2. What is life like in the proles’ end of London?

3. What does Winston think about after his conversation with the old man in the pub?

4. What does Winston discover at Mr. Charrington’s shop?

5. What is Mr. Charrington like?

6. What does Winston think when he sees the dark-haired girl outside Mr. Charrington’s shop?

7. How does one’s own body betray a person?

8. Why does Winston wonder about church bells ringing in London?