DEN GRAPHIC ORGANIZER - Book Club #1

PROMPT #1

4. How do dystopian texts play

around with the idea of free
ANALYSIS
speech and equity among all
peoples? What is the greater
point being made, here?

QUOTATION #1:
Free speech & Language:
“In the end we shall make
thoughtcrime literally impossible,
because there will be no words in
which to express it. Every concept
that can ever be needed will be
expressed by exactly one word,
with its meaning rigidly defined
and all its subsidiary meanings
rubbed out and forgotten. [...]
Every year fewer and fewer words,
and the range of consciousness
always a little smaller. Even now,
of course, there’s no reason or
excuse for committing
thoughtcrime. it’s merely a
question of self-discipline, reality-
control. But in the end there won’t
be any need even for that. The
Revolution will be complete when
the language is perfect.” (Orwell,
55)
Applying theory:
Irony - Postmodernism:
What Syme says is ironic - “The Revolution will be complete when the
language is perfect” (55). The idea of the language being “perfect” by
removing words that should not be expressed and opposed to the Party
government is quite ironic. Deleting words and controlling the language that
people speak is one of the Party’s processes of brainwashing and mind-
control, which is dehumanizing, and thus, contrasts to the idea of how the
Newspeak language is perfect. By modifying the Newspeak language, they
can control the freedom of speech, as in the future, nobody can oppose
different opinions simply because there is no word to share the idea.
Class Division - Marxism:
Discrepancy between the Party member class and the governing class
enhances the power imbalance in this situation. The governing class that
controls the “Fiction Department (The Ministry of Truth)” forces people to
work on refining Newspeak that is planned to eventually take over the
Oldspeak. By modifying the language, the superior class shrinks the “range
of consciousness” and controls the inferior class. What’s more, their
refinement of the language itself is the process of depriving the ability to
think differently, from the working class. Therefore, the bigger idea
illustrated here is that the superior class, by letting the working class
“correct” the Newspeak language, gradually takes away the right to think
and mind-control the lower or inferior class by their power dynamics.

Analysis of literary devices/figurative language:

Orwell’s emphasis and diction on the word “one” addresses the political
purpose of promoting Newspeak language: conceal the ambiguity and
shades of words in English or Oldspeak. The reinforcement of the word also
expresses Syme’s enthusiasm in the process of refining the language, which
potentially reveals the success in the government’s brainwashing and mind-
control. As the worker that should feel guilt by being forced to remove
Oldspeak as it gives them the freedom to communicate, he is unaware of it
and passionate about depriving his own human right. Thus, this diction
signifies the destruction of the ability to communicate in the work class, and
demonstrates the power dynamics by showing the success of mind-control
from character Syme.

English, or the Oldspeak symbolizes the bridge in between the working

class to freely communicate with each other. Thus, the upcoming Newspeak
that replaces Oldspeak symbolizes the demolition of this manner of freely
communicating between individuals. The idea of the “subsidiary meanings
[of words are] rubbed out and forgotten” by promoting Newspeak is the
direct indication to the loss of free speech. As in the future everyone speaks
Newspeak, there is no way of expressing an opposing idea to the
government, simply because there “will be no words in which to express it”.
This dystopian text puts up an example of absence in free speech, which is
the refinement of Newspeak, to demonstrate the omnipotent Oceania
government body. Author proposes this dystopian government to alarm
people in the present to value their rights and put an emphasis on the
importance of basic human rights.

Text-to-World Connection:
The idea of using a new language to replace an old language in a
government reminds me of one of the policies that CCP promoted in
China. Because the majority members of CCP are mostly proletariat and
illiterate, CCP at that time pushed a new form of characters to simplify the
traditional Chinese characters and thereby we called it “Simplified
Chinese”. This policy and new letters is a potential opposition against the
higher classes in China at that time, which in this sense, create a power
imbalance between the government and the old intellectuals. In this sense, it
shows the relative degree of the break of equity in different classes in China.

The idea of forcing a particular group to learn a language also can be

applied to the residential schools in Canada. By forcing the Indigenous
people to learn and speak in English, although it does not fully take away
their right of free speech, it devalues and deprives the Indigenous culture,
which is another example of the imbalance, the destruction of equity in one

QUOTATION #2:
Equity:
“The great majority of proles did
not even have telescreens in their
homes. Even the civil police
interfered with them very little. [...]
but since it all happened among the
proles themselves, it was of no
importance. The sexual puritanism
of the Party was not imposed upon
them. Promiscuity went
unpunished, divorce was permitted.
For that matter, even religious
worship would have been permitted
if the proles had shown any sign of
needing or wanting it. They were
beneath suspicion. As the Party
slogan put it: ‘Proles and animals
are free.’” (Orwell, 75)
society. Thus, the idea of modifying a new language, or replacing one
language with another language often is being used to represent the loss in
free speech and the demolition of equity in one society.
Question:
In 1984, the government replaced Oldspeak with Newspeak as a process of
materializing mind control. What does language mean to people? What is its
essence and connotation besides from the manner of communication?
Applying theory:
Class Division - Marxism:
The differences between the party member class and the proles class
becomes evident in this quotation. From Winston, a party member class
perspective, he describes the proles are not under control of the party and
are not imposed on the laws enforced by the governors. Considering his
comparison in treatments and his thought of “If there is hope, it lies in the
proles” (72), his appealing feeling towards the proles becomes significant as
they are not under the unrightful restrictions from the Party. The differences
between the party members and the proles potentially promotes Winston’s
thought to learn more about them, which foreshadows the plot as he later
goes to the proles area to solve his confusion. This imbalance in treatment
and violation of equity, actually works in reverse - the absence in
surveillance of the party provides the proles with freedom.
Social structure without classes or hierarchies - Marxism:
As Winston suggests, the proles are not under control of the Party in
most circumstances. What’s more, because of the constant war that happens,
it indicates that the proles are most likely living in a social structure
without hierarchies, which corresponds to the ultimate idea of Marxist
Theory. From the Party slogan: “Proles and animals are free”, although this
comparison is dehumanizing since comparing the human being with
animals, it reveals the fact that the Party does not pay attention towards the
proles in society. Thus, the Party undervalues the proles, which counters to
the idea of equity as they should have more support from the government
based on their living standard. However, because the government is cruel
and brutal, not being valued actually brings advantages to the proles, which
ironically works in reverse.
Analysis of literary devices/figurative language:
The repetition of “even” emphasizes the ignorance of the government on
the proles. As most of the proles do not have telescreens that are used by the
Party to monitor the citizens, it demonstrates how the government is not
paying attention towards them. In addition, the civil police that pays
constant visits to normal party members, also is not bothered to interact with
the proles. Considering the undervalue from the government and the brutal
way that the government rules the society, it actually provides the proles
with the freedom. In this dystopian text, the violation in equity for the
proles, ironically provides them with freedom. In this case, the author
addresses the importance of the government body, as how it can
significantly impact society.

The contrast that the Party slogan suggests, comparing the proles to the
animals, accentuates the devalue towards the proles from the Party.
Ironically, this devalue, which is the absence of telescreen and civil police,
provides the proles with freedom. The break of equity brings “equity” to
proles - free will. Because of this mistreatment, they are not required to
follow the rules suggested by the governors. Thus, Orwell uses the example
of the proles in 1984’s society to emphasize on the importance of a right
government body. He enhances the disadvantages and the absurdity
(violation of equity brings equity, for instance) from a dystopian
government, instead of providing a pleasant story with ideal government to
alarm people regarding the topic of governments.

Text-to-World Connection:
The idea of how one is not under the government's control, brings more
benefits than being controlled by the government, reminds me of the
Indigenous community in Canada as well. As before they are not being
forced in residential school ,they are able to maintain and protect their own
culture and rituals. However, the presence of residential school is the
process of assimilation, similar to the concept in colonialism. The
government at that time, forced the Indigenous to study in residential
school, causing the loss of their heritage and culture. This answer to the
prompt of how equity, for sure, is important. However, the equity provided
from whom, and what is the equity that they bring, has the same level of
importance as well.

On the other hand, the idea of class divisions can be viewed from North
Korea, as they are one of the examples of a totalitarian government. As

PROMPT # 2
6. Comment on the use of
surveillance (both person-to-
person, and technological) in
dystopian societies. Does this
portrayal mimic our own
society's obsession with
"knowing all", all the time?
QUOTATION #1
“How often, or on what system, the
Thought Police plugged in on any
individual wire was guesswork. It
was even conceivable that they
watched everybody all the time.
But at any rate they could plug in
your wire whenever they wanted to.
You had to live - did live, from
habit that became instinct - in the
assumption that every sound you
made was overheard, and except in
darkness, every movement
scrutinized.” (Orwell, 4-5)
there is the superior class, which mostly involves Kim's family and its
relatives, and the inferior class, which are mostly the normal citizens in
North Korea. This connection by showing a counter example to further
enhances the importance of avoiding totalitarian government bodies and the
importance to value free speech and equity among people.
Question:
Why does Orwell choose to depict a dystopian society and address its
issues, rather than describing an utopian society with no flaw, and enhances
its advantages?
ANALYSIS
Applying theory:
Technoculture and Paranoia - Postmodernism:
This quotation can relate to the negative impacts that come from
technologies, in this case, how omniscient surveillance deprives party
member’s basic human rights. The purpose of the use of surveillance in the
novel is to monitor what every citizen does, and “vaporize” them if the
police find out unnatural behaviours, accordingly. From that, the author
depicts a society with the abuse of technologies on citizens to emphasize the
idea of how the society’s obsession with “knowing all” is unrightful. In the
novel, Winston is afraid to express his true feelings, and even scared to buy
a diary shows how this omniscient surveillance creates tension in each
individual.
Class Division - Marxism:
The power imbalance regarding the surveillance between the thought
police class, or governing class and normal party members class is
shown in the quotation. Once again, power dynamics is being demonstrated
throughout the first part of the novel. In this quote, it shows how the use of
surveillance shut down one’s personality because one will become passive
and submissive. As it becomes conceivable that you are being watched all
the time, it emphasizes the tense atmosphere in the society, since one is
afraid to express his true feelings, furthermore, tends to not communicate.

Analysis of literary devices/figurative language:

The dictions of “any”, “every” and “all” are quite evident in this quotation.
Orwell’s diction, in this case, emphasizes the desperation of hope to fight
against the government from normal party members, and widens the power
gap between the governors class and the normal party member class. The
use of surveillance also intensifies the problem of one often concealing its
true expression and thoughts. Overall, this use of surveillance from the
governors creates a depressed mood and atmosphere in the society, forcing
one's to close its door of communication.

With the repetition of “live”, the submissive tone becomes significant. The
use of surveillance forces the member that has different opinions to hide,
and eventually, refutes its own idea simply because of the power dynamic.
In order to live and not be “vaporized”, each individual in the society has to
maintain the instinct of how you are being monitored in every aspect. Thus,
one will tend to be submissive to the governor's idea, and obey their orders
to survive. This tone is the reflection of the citizens in the society, and this
addresses how the misuse of technologies can be detrimental regarding the
development of the society. As anyone no longer is willing to share
different ideas, it causes the society to stop progressing from learning from
its mistakes.

Text-to-World Connection:
The idea of use of surveillance can relate to the growing popularity of
cameras to track down criminals. The advancement of technologies has
supported the police department to track down the criminals from the use of
cameras. This is connected to the idea of omniscient surveillance in 1984, as
how that is used to monitor the citizens movements. As a result, this
connection is one of the revelations of the society’s obsession with the use
of surveillance, with the ideology of “know it all”. In this particular
connection, we can see how the use of surveillance could have the potential
to bring some advantages, such as how it is being used to help to enforce the
laws. Thus this encourages us to view things in a multi-perspective manner -
just like how every coin has two sides.

QUOTATION #2
“ ‘You’re a traitor!’ yelled the boy.
‘You’re a thought criminal! You’re
a Eurasian spy! I’ll shoot you, I’ll
vaporize you, I’ll send you to the
salt mines!’ Suddenly they were
both leaping around him, shouting
‘Traitor!’ and ‘Thought-criminal!’,
the little girl imitating her brother
in every movement. It was
somehow slightly frightening, like
the gamboling of tiger cubs which
will soon grow up into man-eaters.
There was a sort of calculating
ferocity in the boy’s eye, a quite
evident desire to hit or kick
Winston and a consciousness of
being very nearly big enough to do
so. It was a good job it was not a
real pistol he was holding, Winston
thought.” (Orwell, 25)
dd
Another example that is related to the use of surveillance is the face
recognition function that is implemented in most recent electronic devices.
Similar to the idea above, we need to view the use of surveillance in
different perspectives: one is how it brings the ease of access to electronics,
and enforces on its safety to prevent others from unlocking your devices.
However, it also risks your personal information, as the private company is
now in control with your information on their database. It also creates the
suspicions between the individual users and the company from a conspiracy
theory perspective, as in the novel, how the telescreens are used for the
government to monitor your activities.
Question:
How does this use of surveillance potentially shape or impact the characters
of Winston? What does this surveillance reveal about the government?
Applying theory:
“The Id, the Ego, and the Super-Ego” - Freud Psychoanalytic Theory:
As the kids accuse Winston for being a thoughtcriminal and show their
frantic passion towards being a Junior Spy, it demonstrates Winston’s
complexity in his characters and internal conflicts. His Ego of being
anxious, and trying to remain calm from the actually correct accusation
from the kids. His super-ego of his personality that tells him to remain calm
in order not to be “vaporized”, and his Id, his internal fear towards the
consequences of being a thoughtcrime if the two kids are actually thought
policies. In his deepest thought, he knows the kids are right - he is indeed a
thought-criminal. Thus, this person-to-person surveillance puts pressure on
the ones that realize the Party’s oppressions, and intensifies the anxious,
oppressive and pessimistic society atmosphere.
Strength In Numbers - Marxist Criticism:
From the Party’s brainwashing and mind control process, it creates and
enhances the collective unconsciousness from the brainwashed citizens to
report thought criminals to the Party. Because of that, this reveals how the
strength in numbers is being used by Big Brother to enhance the
totalitarian government body. This collective unconsciousness from
brainwashed citizens provides constant pressure and fear of expressing their
ideas for the ones that are against the government. It creates an invisible
suppression to people like Winston specifically. As how surveillance is used
to suppress citizens and prevent them from expressing their ideas, it shows
the author's opinion of the ridicule of the society’s obsession of “knowing
all”, as how it is achieved by manipulating the privacy and human rights of
the citizens.

Analysis of literary devices/figurative language:

The simile of comparing the kids to the tiger cubs directly shows the
enthusiasm of them being the Junior Spies for the Party. The next
generation of the society is brainwashed so completely it also emphasizes
on the desperation to fight against the Party and the Big Brother: the idea of
being loyal to the Party stemmed deeply in citizens’ hearts. It reveals the
result of the government's brainwashing and mind-control process, at the
same time, enhances how the person-in-person monitoring exacerbates the
tension between individuals. Examples like Winston, for instance, are afraid
to express his true feelings and expression because of the existence of the
Junior Spies. Thus, this particular type of person-to-person surveillance that
rejects all opposing opinions towards the government potentially stops its
development, as the government and the society can not learn from its
mistakes.

The repetition and parallel sentence structure from the kids’ accusation is
another example that accentuates the ferocity within the kids. It shows their
momentum and how frantic they are of being the Junior Spies for the Party
and believing in the Party. From their passion, it supports the revelation of
the achievement in brainwashing and mind control, as they brainwashed the
kids that are unaware of the situation and the job they are doing, to blindly
report the people who are willing to propose the opposite to the government.
This person-to-person surveillance, with the omniscient telescreens,
completely neglects free speech and basic human rights, which proves the
point how the society’s obsession of “know it all” is ridiculous and against
humanism.

Text-to-World Connection:
The idea of the police department encouraging people that see the
criminals to report to the police also shows a real life example of person-
to-person surveillance. In our society, this type of surveillance is applied on
the criminals in order to put them to trial, which shows how this concept is
being used to eliminate the threats to the society. However in the book, we
see how this idea is brought to an extreme: the frantic Junior Spies
eventually create tension between individuals, and provide an oppressive
atmosphere to the society. George Orwell, by illustrating an extreme
example of person-to-person surveillance, further enhances his opinion on
the society's obsession towards “knowing it all” - the price and sacrifice it
takes for the society to achieve this ideology is too much, as it creates this
unnecessary depressing atmosphere and deprives the human rights from its
citizens. This “knowing it all” obsession, if it is for knowing it all about the
citizens, is just another word of the idea of pursuing totalitarianism.

This person-to-person surveillance can also happen in highly competitive

industries where there is a conflict on benefits between individuals. As
the workers constantly keep an eye on each other to wait until one reveals
his weaknesses, it creates this tense and depressive atmosphere in the
working environment, similar to the situation in the book, where the Junior
Spies also create this intense atmosphere in the society. Not only that, this
atmosphere also impacts individuals to stop expressing their feelings.
Therefore, this example directly supports George Orwell’s idea of how the
“knowing it all” obsession is based on the sacrifice of the citizens and
potentially promotes a totalitarian government body.

Question:
In the novel, the Oceania government, by the use of surveillance, deprives
the basic human rights from its citizens to enforce its domination and
eliminate threats towards the Party. Will this ideology help to keep the
society running, or the flaws in it will lead to the collapse, in the long run?