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March 29, 2024, 09:23:03 am

Author Topic: September Text Analysis Lecture - 1984  (Read 7899 times)

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niamh.brazil

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Re: September Text Analysis Lecture - 1984
« Reply #15 on: October 01, 2021, 07:18:36 pm »
+2
I was wondering if a one sentence thesis would be sufficient in my introduction (wrote up a quick one below). Also, do you recommend fleshing out the ideas/themes (providing one sentence on each) in the intro, or just listing the themes?

To what extent does the exploration of human experience in Nineteen Eighty-Four invite you to reconsider your understanding of loneliness?

In his cautionary tale ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’, Orwell challenges readers to explore the suppression of individual autonomy within totalitarian regimes thereby, establishing a sense of alienation which inherently corrupts the human experience.

Cheers,
Winston Smith

This is a good start to an introduction - but I would recommend having a longer introduction to further explain your/link to questions more clear, signpost your paragraphs and suggest the impact on the audience. That said, what you have written indicates a good personal interpretation of Orwell's work. Make sure to use the language of the question (aka "loneliness") in your first sentence if possible.

niamh.brazil

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Re: September Text Analysis Lecture - 1984
« Reply #16 on: October 01, 2021, 07:33:39 pm »
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Hi!
I was wondering... should our thesis be an argument that is *this leads to this leads to this* or just an overarching statement? Also, should our essay be in chronological order or just chronological within the body paragraph? I'm confused about how we could write a chronological essay with thematic paragraphs.
Thank you :)

Hi! Good questions here - I'll deal with them separately below:

1. The structure of a thesis can be very flexible and both the types you suggested are ways you can approach the thesis. If you're struggling to develop a thesis for 1984, I would encourage you to think about the ways power is represented in the text - how and why? Brainstorming this should generate some interesting thesis ideas. Also, read some sample theses which you can find on this thread, in the ATARnotes books or in other places online.

2. While structuring your entire essay chronologically can work well you do have to be careful about repeating yourself, as certain themes are going to recur more often throughout the novel (e.g. power/control). What generally works more effectively in my experience is trying to work generally chronologically within each paragraph. For example, a paragraph about human connection for 1984 might start with a quote about the children being encouraged to turn on their families in the opening chapters, then use 1-2 quotes about Winston and Julia's relationship in the middle of the novel and finally a quote from the ending where Winston betrays Julia or when they meet again in the final chapter with a mood of resignation.

Hopefully, this helps with your questions! let me know if you need any clarification

Emily Adams

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Re: September Text Analysis Lecture - 1984
« Reply #17 on: October 01, 2021, 09:37:54 pm »
0
Hey Niamh!
 
I really liked your approach the storytelling in 1984 and the stories that come through Winston, the party and Orwell.

I went over my notes and prepared how I would approach the resistance and beauty in Winston's storytelling, and the ultimate power of the party's imposed narratives. How would you recommend approaching a paragraph talking about Orwell's storytelling and the power of 1984? Would you recommend using this as a paragraph? Or would there not be enough evidence for it?

Thanks! Em :)

Weirdobtsarmy

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Re: September Text Analysis Lecture - 1984
« Reply #18 on: October 01, 2021, 11:03:03 pm »
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Hello!!,
here is a partial (intro, bp1, bp2) comparative essay I wrote. It would be great and very much appreciated if anyone could provide feedback [feel free to be as harsh as you want!!]

NOTE: This essay was written in 1 hour with a venn diagram of notes/quotes/essay plan and was initially hand-written.

"Compare how the texts 1984 by George Orwell and Pleasantville directed by Gray Ross explore conformity and individuality"

Spoiler
Set in strict, oppressive totalitarian societies in which individuality is forbidden. Both texts, 1984 by George Orwell and Pleasantville directed by Gary Ross carry the same ideology that to achieve the rejuvenation and individualism of humanity, the rejection of conformity needs to be enforced and boundaries need to be broken. However, the way in which the societies of both texts do this is fundamentally different. in Pleasantville, these boundaries are broken by an external source, being Jennifer and David, contrasting 1984 as the Party's control proves to overtake the efforts of Winston and Julia. Although Orwell examines how propaganda and restriction of thought empowered conformity, Ross explores the way restriction of knowledge powers conformative views in Pleasantville.

Both texts, Pleasantville and 1984 endorse the idea of restriction of through as a means to further repress individuality, hence empowering conformity in both societies. In 1984, propaganda is used to strictly oppress and fearmonger individuals. Posters that depict "Big Brother is watching you" are displayed throughout the city to remind the citizens that they are always being "watched". Additionally, with the use of telescreens and propaganda to induce fear, the Party forces its subjects to accept anything it decrees, even if it is entirely illogical. Furthermore, the Party introduces a new language called Newspeak in order to guarantee that no one will be able to conceptualise anything that might question the Party's absolute power. Syme explains that the "whole aim of newspeak is to narrow the range of thought...[and that] there will be words to express [ourselves]. This quote hence proves the motives of the party. The idea of restriction fo through is mirrored in Pleasantville, however is endorsed differently. Similarly to 1984, thoughts in individuals are forbidden and this is shown in the repetitive norms of Pleasantville. For example, when David/Bud conversates with Skip, Skip's reply only consists of "Hiya Bud" repetitively. Furthermore, restriction of knowledge plays a vital role in suppressing individuals, this is seen as no one knows "what is outside [the town] of Pleasantville" and in how "[all] the books are blank". However, Jennifer and David break through the limited society and start enforcing views of individuality. Diverging from this idea, Winston and Julia start making decisions such as engaging in a "forbidden sexual relationship" to build individuality and identity. Ultimately, Jennifer and David's presence encourages the change of colour. As the black and white colours express the oppressed views of Pleasantville, colours start to appear as the values and beliefs of the citizens change. Contrasting this, Winston and Julia surrender to the party as it completely destructs all aspects of their individualities. Thus, although both texts utilise restriction of thought to press individuals into strict conformity, only Pleasantville succeeds in overcoming it.

In Pleasantville and 1983, segregation and sexual repression are depicted as a means to further press and force individuals into conformity. This is represented in the hierarchical system of 1984 in which citizens are divided into Proletarians and Inner and Outer parties. The Party also undermines family structure by inducting children into an organisation called the Junior Spies which encourages "the children [to] systematically turn against their parents and spy on them". This idea of segregation is mirrored in Pleasantville as Big Bob calls a town meeting in order to "separate...things that are pleasant from...things that are unpleasant". The negative impacts of segregation are shown through this act as it separates the people into "coloureds [and] true citizens". Another common concept is the use of sexual repression in both texts. In 1984, this repression forces individuals to suppress their sexual desires, hence treating sex as merely a "duty to the Party" whose end is the creation of new Party members. Offering a similar idea, in Pleasantville sex is seen only as a means of reproduction, this is exemplified when Betty asks Jennifer, her biological daughter "what is sex?". Orwell utilises Julia's scarlet sash as a symbol of chastity that represents her devotion to the Party, however starkly contrasting this, the double bed in Pleasantville symbolises the hopeful possibility of "other ways to enjoy life". Thus, both texts use the action of segregation and sexual repression to eradicate a sense of individuality and therefore promote conformity.

Nomsie

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Re: September Text Analysis Lecture - 1984
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2021, 03:03:17 pm »
+1
Hello!!,
here is a partial (intro, bp1, bp2) comparative essay I wrote. It would be great and very much appreciated if anyone could provide feedback [feel free to be as harsh as you want!!]

NOTE: This essay was written in 1 hour with a venn diagram of notes/quotes/essay plan and was initially hand-written.

"Compare how the texts 1984 by George Orwell and Pleasantville directed by Gray Ross explore conformity and individuality"

Spoiler
Set in strict, oppressive totalitarian societies in which individuality is forbidden. Both texts, 1984 by George Orwell and Pleasantville directed by Gary Ross carry the same ideology that to achieve the rejuvenation and individualism of humanity, the rejection of conformity needs to be enforced and boundaries need to be broken. However, the way in which the societies of both texts do this is fundamentally different. in Pleasantville, these boundaries are broken by an external source, being Jennifer and David, contrasting 1984 as the Party's control proves to overtake the efforts of Winston and Julia. Although Orwell examines how propaganda and restriction of thought empowered conformity, Ross explores the way restriction of knowledge powers conformative views in Pleasantville.

Both texts, Pleasantville and 1984 endorse the idea of restriction of through as a means to further repress individuality, hence empowering conformity in both societies. In 1984, propaganda is used to strictly oppress and fearmonger individuals. Posters that depict "Big Brother is watching you" are displayed throughout the city to remind the citizens that they are always being "watched". Additionally, with the use of telescreens and propaganda to induce fear, the Party forces its subjects to accept anything it decrees, even if it is entirely illogical. Furthermore, the Party introduces a new language called Newspeak in order to guarantee that no one will be able to conceptualise anything that might question the Party's absolute power. Syme explains that the "whole aim of newspeak is to narrow the range of thought...[and that] there will be words to express [ourselves]. This quote hence proves the motives of the party. The idea of restriction fo through is mirrored in Pleasantville, however is endorsed differently. Similarly to 1984, thoughts in individuals are forbidden and this is shown in the repetitive norms of Pleasantville. For example, when David/Bud conversates with Skip, Skip's reply only consists of "Hiya Bud" repetitively. Furthermore, restriction of knowledge plays a vital role in suppressing individuals, this is seen as no one knows "what is outside [the town] of Pleasantville" and in how "[all] the books are blank". However, Jennifer and David break through the limited society and start enforcing views of individuality. Diverging from this idea, Winston and Julia start making decisions such as engaging in a "forbidden sexual relationship" to build individuality and identity. Ultimately, Jennifer and David's presence encourages the change of colour. As the black and white colours express the oppressed views of Pleasantville, colours start to appear as the values and beliefs of the citizens change. Contrasting this, Winston and Julia surrender to the party as it completely destructs all aspects of their individualities. Thus, although both texts utilise restriction of thought to press individuals into strict conformity, only Pleasantville succeeds in overcoming it.

In Pleasantville and 1983, segregation and sexual repression are depicted as a means to further press and force individuals into conformity. This is represented in the hierarchical system of 1984 in which citizens are divided into Proletarians and Inner and Outer parties. The Party also undermines family structure by inducting children into an organisation called the Junior Spies which encourages "the children [to] systematically turn against their parents and spy on them". This idea of segregation is mirrored in Pleasantville as Big Bob calls a town meeting in order to "separate...things that are pleasant from...things that are unpleasant". The negative impacts of segregation are shown through this act as it separates the people into "coloureds [and] true citizens". Another common concept is the use of sexual repression in both texts. In 1984, this repression forces individuals to suppress their sexual desires, hence treating sex as merely a "duty to the Party" whose end is the creation of new Party members. Offering a similar idea, in Pleasantville sex is seen only as a means of reproduction, this is exemplified when Betty asks Jennifer, her biological daughter "what is sex?". Orwell utilises Julia's scarlet sash as a symbol of chastity that represents her devotion to the Party, however starkly contrasting this, the double bed in Pleasantville symbolises the hopeful possibility of "other ways to enjoy life". Thus, both texts use the action of segregation and sexual repression to eradicate a sense of individuality and therefore promote conformity.


Hey, I would just recommend for your introduction to start off with an explicit thesis statement rather than a general statement about the two texts :)
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HSC 2021
Eng Adv, Eng Ext 1, Eng Ext 2, Society and Culture, Modern History, Math Adv, Community and Family Studies

Weirdobtsarmy

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Re: September Text Analysis Lecture - 1984
« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2021, 12:07:26 am »
+1

Hey, I would just recommend for your introduction to start off with an explicit thesis statement rather than a general statement about the two texts :)
Will do, thank you!!