1984 Webquest
“Big Brother is watching you.” ~George Orwell, 1984
There are topics below that you will explore. There are recommended websites listed, but please feel free to explore other sites on your own. You must answer all the questions under each topic in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
NOTE: The opinions expressed on the links provided are strictly those that belong to the authors/speakers. You are encouraged to form your own opinions.
Topic I: About the Author
In order to fully appreciate 1984, and its themes, it is important to know a little about the author, George Orwell, who led an incredibly interesting life that led to his inspiration for his various novels.
George Orwell Biography (click on title for link)
1. What was George Orwell’s real name and where was he born and raised?
2. One of Orwell’s most popular books is the novel Animal Farm. When was it published? What inspired Orwell to write Animal Farm?
3. When was 1984 published? Against what political state does Orwell warn against in 1984
4. When did Orwell die?
“Big Brother is watching you.” ~George Orwell, 1984
There are topics below that you will explore. There are recommended websites listed, but please feel free to explore other sites on your own. You must answer all the questions under each topic in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
NOTE: The opinions expressed on the links provided are strictly those that belong to the authors/speakers. You are encouraged to form your own opinions.
Topic I: About the Author
In order to fully appreciate 1984, and its themes, it is important to know a little about the author, George Orwell, who led an incredibly interesting life that led to his inspiration for his various novels.
George Orwell Biography (click on title for link)
1. What was George Orwell’s real name and where was he born and raised?
2. One of Orwell’s most popular books is the novel Animal Farm. When was it published? What inspired Orwell to write Animal Farm?
3. When was 1984 published? Against what political state does Orwell warn against in 1984
4. When did Orwell die?
Literary Devices (click on title for link)
5. What is satire? And what is its intent (purpose)?
6. What is irony?
7. Name at least one other piece of literature that is considered a satire
Topic II: Totalitarianism
Government control is arguably the most important theme in 1984 and is so intense that readers might have trouble finding the plot believable. However, you should know that he based the government in his novel on truth, so it's important to have some historical background.
Encyclopedia Britannica (click on title for link)
8. What is totalitarianism?
9. Who invented this term? Why?
The Rise of Totalitarianism (click on title for link)
10. Provide at least 4 examples of totalitarian governments and how they began/maintained their power.
11. List 6 strategies that a totalitarian regime would use to gain control
Topic III: Infringement Upon Privacy
From the very first chapter of 1984, readers should be startled by the systematic infringement upon characters' privacy, even in their homes and in their thoughts. However, all Americans should be aware of certain privacy issues affecting our Constitutional rights. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security." What do you think?
How Stuff Works: Patriot Act (click on title for link-there are multiple pages on this site-you'll need to look through them all for information)
12. What was the Patriot Act passed?
13. When was the Patriot Act passed?
14. What are some of the ways in which the Patriot Act contradicts and supersedes the Constitution? In particular, which amendments does this report say the Patriot Act violates?
15. What do supporters of the act say are its benefits? Why are critics so outraged?
Topic IV: Propaganda
In 1984, you will quickly see that propaganda plays a large role. As you read, you might ask yourself, "How is it possible that people in this society buy into these ridiculous concepts?" However, George Orwell based many of the themes in his novels on true events in history, and propaganda is no exception.
Merriam Webster Dictionary (click on title for link)
16. What is propaganda? Using definitions 2 and 3, paraphrase the definition.
The Power of Nazi Propaganda (click on title for link)
17. List 3 "major" problems that Germany had as a result of World War I
18. a. What was the Nazi's "ideal community"?
b. Who was the most important target for Nazi propaganda?
19. a. By 1937, how many teachers belonged to the National Socialist Teachers' Union?
b. What did each member have to provide?
20. What was the most important topic taught in Nazi schools?
21. Briefly summarize the propaganda publication of Der Gifpilz (The Poisonous Mushroom)
22. List 2 comparisons between the Aryan person and the Jewish person from the film Der Ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew)
Types of Propaganda
23. List the 7 types of propaganda and a brief description of each
24. Choose any 2 types of propaganda and list a modern day example for each