Activity 12:

Chapter I


1. What is a “telescreen”? How is it different from the televisions we know? Is it possible to make a television that could see and hear everything in the room? Could such a device be used for discovering criminals and terrorists? Could it be used for political control? Would it be a good idea to install such a device in every household?
- A telescreen is a t.v that transmits and picks up sound. It can never be turned off either. It is not possible to make a telescreen today. The technology seems distant. Such a device could be used for tracking criminal activities. However, for that to happen a telescreen would have to be installed on a wide basis, which would be both, costly and controversial. 

2. What are the four government ministries that control the world of Big Brother? In our own society, we have departments in the federal government such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Education. Are these the same as the ministries in Oceania? How are they different?
- The four government ministries are Ministry of Truth (Minitrue), Ministry of Peace (Minipax), ministry of love (Miniluv), and Minisrty of Plenty (Miniplenty). These ministries are similar to our governmental institutions to some extent; however, they are not familiarized with people as much as the ministries in our government are. Their names also contradict their actions, whereas our's don't. They follow completely different ideals based around a totalitarian government, whereas, our government is based around democratic ideals. 



3. Why does Winston want to keep a diary? Why, even though it is not illegal because there are no laws, could he be punished by death or 25 years in a labor camp for possessing it?
- Winston possesses the diary as it is a way for him to get away from the rigid system established by the party. It is a means for expressing himself. He possesses it to stay in touch with the future. The party's system does not allow the emergence of new ideas, and to bring this into effect, people are not allowed to write material that contradicts the claims of the party. According to the party, anything outside the jurisdiction of the party is thoughtcrime. The party wants people to think along the lines of party ideology.


4. What is the “Two-minutes Hate”? What effect does it have on the people? Who is Emanuel Goldstein? Why is it important to hate him?
- The two-minutes hate is a display that depicts hatred towards Emmanuel Goldstein and his ideals. Goldstein is seen as a traitor to the established regime. He still has great influence over the populace regardless of the claims made against him.

Chapter II

1. Why are parents in Oceania often afraid of their children?
- Parents are afraid of their own children since the regime is training them to be spies. They will hand over anyone who is suspected of rebellious conspiracy. 

2. What does O’Brien say to Winston in his dream? What do you think it might mean?
- O'Brian said to Winston, "We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness." I think this means that both O'Brian and Winston will encounter each other when Winston realizes what it is he has to do. 



Chapter III

1. What does Winston dream about? What does it tell us about him?
- Winston dreams about his family; his mother, sister, and father. The fact that his family appear to him a gloomy and sad way depicts that Winston sees his own death. 


2. How can the exercise instructor see that Winston is not touching his toes?
- The instructor can observe Winston through the telescreen. 


Chapter IV

1. What is Winston’s job in the Ministry of Truth? Is he good at it? How does he feel about it?
- Winston's job was to modify documents and articles so that they were in sync with party ideology. He was very good at his job, which is why he loves it. 


Chapter V 

1. What is the purpose of Newspeak? Who will eventually speak it? 
- The purpose of Newspeak is to limit the number of words in the language that is used. By doing this, Newspeak can shorten the scope for thought. All the people in the province will speak it. 


2. Who are the Thought Police? 
- The thought police are government officials who monitor the happenings that take place in the province to scan for thought crime. 


3. Why does Winston think that his colleague, Symes, will be “vaporized”?
- WInston thinks that Symes will be vaporized as he does not have discretion nor does have a saving stupidity. The government would not want to have him around because he is too smart.  


Chapter VI 

1. What kind of marriage does Winston have? Why does he live alone? 
- Winston lives separately from his wife. They separated due to the fact that they could not have a child together.

Chapter VII 

1. Who are the “proles”? Why does Winston write, “If there is hope, it lies in the proles”? 
- The proles comprise 80% of the population in Oceania. They are poor people. They do not care about the functioning of the government and live their lives independent of any political knowledge. Winston believes that it is only through the proles that the government can be overthrown because they represent such a vast majority. 


2. Winston quotes from a textbook about the “capitalists” in frock coats and top hats who ran London before the revolution. Is there any truth to this description? Is there any way for Winston to check on its accuracy? 
- This is a relatively true statement; however, London was governed by the parliament before the revolution. The only way to determine whether the statement is true is by conversing with older people and people from Eurasia and East Asia. There were no records because they had been edited by the party. 



3. What is the Chestnut Tree Café? Who are Jones, Aaronson, and Rutherford? What happens to them? 
- The Cafe is the place where Aaronson, Jones, and Rutherford were found conspiring against the govenrment. They confessed to crimes they didn't commit, were released, and then were arrested and executed again on the basis of false confessions. 

 

4. Winston writes, “I understand HOW. I do not understand WHY.” What does he mean by this? 
- Winston knows the method adopted by the party to control the people; however, he simply does not understand the primary motive of the party in doing so. 



Chapter VIII 


1. Why does Winston return to the junk shop where he bought the diary? What does he buy there? 
- Winston's curiosity guides him to the junk shop. Winston purchases a paper weight from the shop. 


2. Why is Winston scared of the girl from the fiction department? 
- Winston suspects that the girl might be a spy who would turn him in to the government.