1984 - BY GEORGE ORWELL

STUDY GUIDE

1984 is one of the greatest works by George Orwell. But, what does it mean? Why is the book
so controversial? What does the book have to say about the state of society? Here are a few
questions for study and discussion, related to 1984.

1. What is important about the title?

2. Why is 1984 controversial? Why has it been banned?
3. What is the plot line for 1984?
4. What is the setting in 1984 and why is it important?
5. Who are the major characters in 1984?
6. How does this novel relate to dystopian literature?
7. Who is Emmanuel Goldstein in 1984?
8. What are the conflicts in 1984? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or
emotional) are in this novel?
9. What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
10. What are some symbols in 1984? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
11. What role does Big Brother play within the novel? What effect does he have on
Winston?
12. Discuss the idea of doublethink. How important is doublethink to the Party’s control
of Oceania? How important is it to Winston’s brainwashing?
13. How is technology portrayed or depicted in the novel 1984? How does technology
affect the Party’s ability to control its citizens? In what ways does the Party employ
technology throughout the book?
14. Discuss the idea of Room 101, the place where everyone meets his or her worst
fear. Keeping in mind that for most of Winston’s time at the Ministry of Love, he does
not know what he will find in Room 101, what role does that uncertainty play in
making Room 101 frightening? Does the cage of rats break Winston’s spirit, or does
it merely play a symbolic role?
15. In the book 1984, what does love mean to Winston and Julia, and how is it depicted
in 1984?
16. What is Winston Smith's attitude towards the Party in 1984?
17. Does the Party fulfill the obligation to the people of protecting them and giving them
rights?
18. What is the similarity between 1984 and the society today?
19. Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why?
20. What does the party slogan "who controls the past controls the future-who controls
the present controls the past" mean?