| Introductory Assignment | Though Crime File |
| Questioning Reality | Creative Writing |
| Big Brother Contest | Remembering the Past |
| Recognizing References | Closing Assignment |
Introductory Assignment top
The following introductory assignment will help students be aware of what might happen if they did not have the right to choose for themselves. It will also help them recognize what they believe is most important in their lives and what is not. Their answers will provide valuable information for the teacher about their mentality and approach to the concept of cooperation and selfishness. Listening to "Columbia," the audio news clip from NPR's Weekend Edition on Saturday March 9, 2002 may be helpful.
Consider that a foreign power has invaded the United States and taken control. (This scenario was the basis of Red Dawn recently but longer ago it was the subject of a science fiction novel entitled Not This August by C.M. Kornbluth.) You are to consider how your lives would be changed by such a take over and how you would respond to those things you can and cannot control. The items requested below should be comprised of possessions, abilities, freedoms, situations, and circumstances.
Questioning Reality top
Winston goes to a bar and asks a white haired old man questions about the past but doesn't get the answers he is looking for. Assuming you would get truthful answers, choose three characters from the book and list the three questions you would ask each character. Include an explanation as to why you would ask the questions.
Big Brother Contest top
Design a Poster announcing a speech by George Orwell. The poster must:Recognizing References top
"Big Brother" has been a well known reference in society since Orwell wrote 1984. As the prominence of technology increases so has the number of "Big Brother" references, most notably in reports on microchip and security technology along with the television show Big Brother. How accurately would you say are today's references to the Big Brother you have come to know? Use the Technology in Society link in the Futures Themes section to help.
Thought Crime File top
In Oceania the Thought Police monitors all the party members. After Winston is taken to the Ministry of Love you discover how extensive their knowledge is. What acts that you currently perform, or have performed, would get noted by the Thought Police if you were in Oceania? Create a file on yourself identifying these items. As part of your file include under what condition(s), if any, you believe it is acceptable for such a file to be created. Be sure to explain your response. Use the United States Government link in the Futures Themes section to help.
Creative Writing top
How could this kind of society come into existence? What would it take for for the general population to buy into and support such a society? Write a short story set in Oceania before Big Brother was in control.
Remembering the Past top
In an attempt at gaining clarification, Winston tries talking with an old man in a bar. Imagine that you are the white-haired, old man when he was younger and that your life today is the existence before Big Brother. What description of life would you offer Winston. In addition, include what you could have done to stop Big Brother from coming into existence. Use the Technology in Society links in the Futures Themes section to help you.
Closing Assignment top
Write a summary of 1984 as if the story were told from the viewpoint of O'Brien or Julia. Obviously you can't spend the time to rewrite the whole novel, but you should be able to tell the key events of the novel as if O'Brien is orchestrating Winston, or if Julia is helping to narc off Winston. The novel currently views the story from Winston's point of view. You are now given the chance to tell the events from O'Brien's or Julia's eyes and mentality.