1984 PART THREE pp.186-245

You should now be finished with 1984. Here are some questions to consider. They are taken from the upcoming test you will see in August.

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?

Post any questions you might have here. What, if anything, do you find interesting, confusing?

OBTAIN COPY OF ANIMAL DREAMS

You should be finishing 1984 and beginning Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams. If you have not already obtained a copy, please do so ASAP. You can purchase a copy at local bookstores. Another possibility is to borrow from one of last year's AP students. Look for a final post over 1984 with sample test questions and additional information about Animal Dreams coming soon! Happy reading and happy July 4!

1984 PART TWO pp. 88-185

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 for group discussion).

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?

With these questions, I am giving you hints about the questions you might see on the test (though they will be all multiple choice, true/false, matching, and quote identification). 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!

MY SCRAPBOOK

I've decided to share in the joy of scrapbooking with the seniors this year! I've never been much of a scrapbook kind of person, but I figure if you have to do it, I should do it as well. Also, it gives me a place to put all of the "artifacts" I have been collecting for years without proper places to store them.

We just finished with the 2008 seniors during May; the books, for the most part, were amazingly good! Those who procrastinated were MISERABLE during the weeks before the due date. Those who planned ahead were smugly enjoying and sharing their books with their friends. I vote that you plan ahead rather than spend the last weeks of your senior year staying up till 3 am, pasting photos and thinking up evil curses for anyone who ever had anything to do with the senior scrapbook.

I will tell you that I have already put in lots of time just going through pictures and dividing sections. If you really want to save yourself some time when the hectic pace of school is in full swing, check out the scrapbook guidelines I have posted on my teacher web page and begin thinking about your book. If you are really feeling on the ball, go ahead and get your actual book over the summer. It needs to be 50-100 pages altogether (that includes the writings), so you'll probably have to get filler pages as well.

For a cheaper options, use a three ring binder with page protectors or a simple photo album.

Also, remember that AP students also have the option of doing a cultural anthology or a video scrapbook. I've put those guidelines on the LINKS page as well.

Post any questions here!

1984 PART ONE pp. 5-87

You should be already reading 1984 and should have part one (through page 87) read by the middle of next week. Obviously, this is just a guide and you could push it off until July, but I don't recommend it. If you follow the reading guide post for you, you will be in great shape by the time we return in August. Small pieces is the best way to handle this material.

You will have A 100 QUESTION MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST OVER 1984 on the SECOND DAY OF CLASS. On this blog, I will post study questions that should help you prepare for this test. 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.

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.

HAPPY READING! I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING PART ONE.