Overview:
A webquest project uses the resources of the Internet to explore and answer questions pertaining to a particular topic. We are going to explore the background of 1984. This webquest was designed to be used as a pre and post reading activity for the novel and combines the traditional elements of literature with the use of technology.
You will soon begin reading the novel 1984 by George Orwell. In preparation, it is extremely important that you gain the necessary background information in order to understand certain situations within the plot. We are going to explore 1984's themes and how they have and continue to affect our society.
Orwell's 1984 provides thought-provoking material that deals with themes of totalitarianism, manipulation of language, propaganda, isolation, government invasion of personal privacy, social class disparity, government control, loss of individuality, and abuse of power just to name a few.
Task:
This webquest requires you to explore Web sites on various topics related to the 1984. You will be given a selection of web sites related to these issues from which to choose.
Process:
Explore these sites for information about the themes that George Orwell presents in 1984. For this part of the webquest, you will be responsible for handing in your answers to the questions that accompany each topic.
This should serve as an introduction to the novel. Click on the links below and answer the questions to help you understand some of the Orwell's historical basis for the novel.
Background Information for 1984
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.
1. Explain why Orwell left his job as a police officer with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma.
2. What two goals did Orwell strive for throughout much of his writing?
3. Name three books that Orwell has published and the year in which they were written.
4. How was Orwell both enamored with and disappointed by the socialism he witnessed
during the Spanish Civil War?
5. Explain how the political events of the 1940s influenced Orwell’s writing at that time.
6. As a young man, Orwell supported socialism and a society without class differences. His
later works, however, demonstrate the author’s fear of bureaucracy and governmental
control. In your opinion, are these two governmental approaches mutually exclusive or
compatible with each other? Explain your views.
No recorded footage or audio of Orwell has survived. This entertaining mini-documentary tells his life in photographs and dramatized clips of an actor reading his words. If you have extra time (after you finish the webquest) and are interested in learning more about Orwell's fascinating life, watch this video series on YouTube.
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.
7. What is totalitarianism?
8. Who coined this term? When?
8. Who coined this term? When?
9. What are at least three examples of of totalitarian governments in the first half of the 20th century (1900-1950)?
10. How did Stalin transform the Russian economy as part of his five year plan?
11. What are at least three of the ways Russian's totalitarian state controlled people and the media?
12. What was Mussolini's totalitarian government party called?
13. What are at least three of the ways Mussolini's party controlled people and the media?
14. What was Mussolini's well-known slogan?
15. When did the purges occur and why?
16. What percent of the communist party membership was purged?
17. Why did his purges of the military backfire with Finland and the Germans?
16. What percent of the communist party membership was purged?
17. Why did his purges of the military backfire with Finland and the Germans?
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?
18. When and why was the Patriot Act passed?
19. 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?
20. What do supporters of the act say are its benefits? Why are critics so outraged?
19. 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?
20. 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.
21. What is propaganda? Using definitions 2 and 3, paraphrase the definition.
22. Describe how much the Nazi seats in the German parliament changed from 1928 through 1932.
23. How does the narrator of this movie say that the Nazi’s where able to gain popularity so quickly? How did the Nazis implement marketing to different groups?
24. After 1933-1934, the Nazis implemented the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda as part of their governmental cabinet. What was the goal of this ministry? What did they control?
25. How did the Ministry aim the Nazi propaganda at Jews? For what were they blamed?
26. Why did Hitler believe so strongly in the spoken word over the written word?
27. According to the expert in the video, why is this concept important today to American society?
Lindsay Manley
Madison Academic
Questions and links adapted from Jennifer Shaw - 2011
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