Chapter 3:

Comprehension Questions

1. According to the narrator, what happened to Winston's parents?

Winston's mother died a tragic death, and his father abandoned his family when
Winston was a child.

2. Winston regards that his mother's death "had been tragic and sorrowful in a way
that was no longer possible" (p. 37). Explain Winston's reasoning.

He means that it is no longer possible in the way that their society can no longer
have such strong and deep emotions.

3. Describe Winston's health as depicted in this chapter.

His heath seems to be deteriorating, he has a persistent cough.

4. What is "doublethink?" How does doublethink apply to Oceania's relationship

with Eurasia and Eastasia?

Doublethink means the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs and believe in both
of them. Doublethink applies to Oceania’s relationship with Eurasia and Eastasiabecause
it manipulates the truth and gets in the way of free speech.

5. What is "Ingsoc?"

Ingsoc is the Newspeak word for the political ideology of the governing party of
Oceania. It is short for English Socialism.

6. What memory from Winston's childhood contradicts the Party's teachings of

history?

Winston’s memory from his childhood that contradictsthe Party’s teaching of

history ishow he remember planes, while the Party’s history books say that they invented
them.

Discussion Questions:
 1. According to the narrator, what is the biggest obstacle for Winston in accessing his
memory and recalling his childhood?

According to the narrator, Winston's biggest obstacle was distinguishing his

memory from the fake records.

2. Winston thinks that "even to understand the word 'doublethink' involved the use of
'doublethink.'" What is the meaning of this statement?

The meaning of this statement is that someone would have to know the original
meaning of the word, as well as the new and brainwashed meaning of it.