6. Part I chapter 5

• Engels
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

Goals for today 

Supporting characters in part I 

Considering body paragraphs 

Topic development in part I 

Part II 

Rate the word 1 to 4

1. I do not know the word, and I have never seen it before. 

2. I've heard or seen the word before, but I'm not sure what it means. 

3. I know the word and can recognise and understand it while reading, but I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it in writing or speech. 

4. I know the word well and can use it correctly in writing or speech. 

Impudent 

Word of the day

Impudent (adj) – rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone who is older or in a more important position

The sad thing was that Lindsey had incurred the internet's wrath because she was impudent and playful and foolhardy and outspoken.

 Andriy

Charlotte 

Samuel 

Constance 

Catherina 

Manuel

Quirine 

Zoe

Francesco

Tashifa 

Sikander 

Louie 

Huub 

Cecilia

Roos

Merel 

Part 1 - chapter V 

Quick write (I min per character): 

sum up Winston's reaction to the following characters: 

• Syme​
  
• ​Parsons​
  
• ​Girl from the Fiction Department​
  

You will be given key quotations referencing these three characters from chapter V. Annotate  with your interpretations of…​: 

1. Orwell’s intentions – what does he want to tell his readers?​

2. The function of the character – what do they represent or bring to the narrative?​

3. Key linguistic choices – what effect do they have on the reader?​

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Why is the girl from the Fiction Department not given a name?​

Exchange your extract, then add, respond to and question the response from the last group. Consider with your interpretations of…​: 

1. Orwell’s intentions – what does he want to tell his readers?​

2. The function of the character – what do they represent or bring to the narrative?​

3. Key linguistic choices – what effect do they have on the reader?​

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Why is the girl from the Fiction Department not given a name?​

AWL

Goals for today 

Part 1 chapter V response paragraphs 

Spying in the past 

Propaganda in the context of the novel 

What does Orwell intend us to understand about the realities of 1984 after Chapter V?​

Write one paragraph in Teams notebook including

P: A point that refers to the question. 

E: Provide evidence to support your point. 

E: Explain the effect on the audience. 

L: Link your ideas to the author's intention. 

Topic sentence: Orwell introduces and gives further details on character X in order to illustrate the opinions held in this dystopian society (and to clarify the significance of Newspeak as a controlling force.)

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Why is the girl from the Fiction Department not given a name?​

Character quotes 

Syme:

‘It was a good hanging,’ said Syme reminiscently. ‘I think it spoils it when they tie their feet together. I like to see them kicking…’

‘Don’t you see the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible’

Parsons:

‘Ah, well – what I mean to say, shows the right spirit, doesn’t it? Mischievous little beggars they are, both of them, but talk about keenness! All they think about is the Spies, and the war, of course.’ 

‘”The Ministry of Plenty’s certainly done a good job this year,” he said with a knowing shake of his head.’ 

The girl from the fiction department:

'His earlier thought returned to him: probably she was not actually a member of the Thought Police, but then it was precisely the amateur spy who was the greatest danger of them all.’ 

‘It was the girl with the dark hair. She was looking at him in a sidelong way, but with curious intensity. The instant that she caught his eye she looked away again.’

Rate the word 1 to 4

1. I do not know the word, and I have never seen it before. 

2. I've heard or seen the word before, but I'm not sure what it means. 

3. I know the word and can recognise and understand it while reading, but I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it in writing or speech. 

4. I know the word well and can use it correctly in writing or speech. 

Opportune 

Word of the day

Opportune (adj) – happening at a time that is likely to produce success or is convenient.

Can you unscramble these letters to make a synonym ICIPSAUSOU

"You couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune time", the car mechanic stated, passing me a spanner. 

auspicious 

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 Orwell introduces and gives further details of three characters in order to illustrate the opinions held in this dystopian society and to clarify the significance of Newspeak as a controlling force. The character Syme in chapter V exemplifies this perfectly. He works for the Research department and is currently busy with a new edition of the Newspeak dictionary. He portrays an indoctrinated citizen. This is shown through his enthusiasm for the regime. An example of this is when he says "it was a good hanging". It suggests he does not only accept the regime but seems to be fond of it. Another quote that shows his keenness of the Party is his job. He talks to Winston about the dictionary and explains how he is "destroying words – scores of them, hundreds of them every day. We're cutting the language down to the bone." This exhibits his opinion on the regime and The Party as a whole which is, according to the evidence, a positive view

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Orwell introduces and gives further details on Syme in order to illustrate the opinions held in dystopian society and to clarify the significance of Newspeak as a controlling force.   This can be seen where Syme describes his admiration of the Newspeak language. “It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words”. This phrase is ironic as it supports the idea of getting rid of vocabulary to simplify the use of language and diction. Furthermore, Syme is aware of the destruction of words, however, is onboard with this decision as later, Syme adds, “it was B. B’s idea originally, of course”. This implies that no matter what Big Brother thinks or supports, it will always be accepted, emphasizing the control the party had over the citizens. Lastly, the authors intention for the readers to understand that people were willing to do anything for the party, as they were misled through constant propaganda. 

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The character of Syme is used to show how control is key to peace and society, whilst illuminating how the destruction of language is used to control expression. One important line that shows this is on page 54: “It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.” This line shows how Syme believes that erasing words that hold individual meaning, thereby limiting more expression, is a beautiful thing. Alongside the line “What need is there for a word like ‘bad’? ‘Ungood’ will do just as well”, it highlights how Syme is almost ignorant of the change, since he finds no meaning in the words, even if they represent varied emotions, instead removing them since they are useless and can just be described by other words. Together, it connects to how Syme truly idealizes the removal of words as a beautiful idea proposed by Big Brother, as a guise to make thoughtcrime impossible, when it is really used to control expression and limit opinions through the erasure of language.

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Orwell introduces and gives further details on Syme in order to illustrate the opinions held in this dystopian society and to clarify the significance of Newspeak as a controlling force. When Syme stands in line with Winston in the cafeteria, Syme mentions a previous hanging of prisoners, he states: “I think it spoils it when they tie their feet together. I like to see them kicking.” It’s a cruel reality that Syme has fallen victim to, despite his intellectualism mentioned by Orwell. This embraces the idea of the vulnerability of the proles under a totalitarian regime, and most importantly of all, how their opinions are shaped to fit that of Big Brother. Furthermore, Winston mentions the dictionary that Syme is actively rewriting to fit to Big Brother’s ideal to remove all “unjustifiable” language. He creates a certain romanticization of his work, as seen when Orwell describes he “continued speaking, with a sort of pedants passion […] and grown almost dreamy”. Syme understands the severity of his work, justifies himself under the common denominator in Orwell’s novel; Big Brother. He diminishes the individuality of the proles, suggesting that “they are not human”. This way, Newspeak controls not only the opinions that the citizens hold but also disregards part of their peers as human.  

Example #1 

Orwell introduces and gives further details of three characters in order to illustrate the opinions held in this dystopian society and to clarify the significance of Newspeak as a controlling force. In chapter V Orwell introduces us to the character Syme, who is responsible for the creation of Newspeak. Syme is presented as having a fascination for Newspeak, he is excited by the language and the potential benefits it poses for the party. He states: ‘Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it.' By actively engaging in the creation of such a tool, he is complying with and aiding the systematic limitations the party is imposing. Furthermore, the reader is introduced to Parsons, who is portrayed as a fat, yet also thickheaded man. Parsons is represented as 'swallowing it easily, with the stupidity of an animal. The eyeless creature at the other table swallowed it fanatically, passionately, with a furious desire to track down, denounce, and vaporize anyone who should suggest that last week the ration had been thirty grammes. " He seems to actively reject free-thinking, while happily complying with what the party puts forward. 

Orwell introduces and gives further details of three characters in order to illustrate the opinions held in this dystopian society and to clarify the significance of Newspeak as a controlling force. Winston works together with his colleague Syme who is very enthusiastic about his work for the Ministry, but Winston is worried that he might be vaporized someday for seeing things too clearly and speaking too plainly. For example when Syme brags about his work saying, "We’re destroying words—scores of them, hundreds of them, every day. We’re cutting the language down to the bone”. Syme likes how he has a big role in gaining power for the Party and being part of developing Newspeak as a controlling force. His neighbours, the Parsons, are perfect examples of what the Party wants as citizens, the parents who do not seem to notice how the Party is lying about the rations and the children being good spyes and showing loyalty to the Party. 

Orwell introduces and gives further details on Syme in order to illustrate the opinions held in this dystopian society and to clarify the significance of Newspeak as a controlling force. In Chapter V, through the introduction of Syme, Orwell intends the reader to understand that the system aims to vanish educated people to preserve the authority of the state. Syme is introduced as a very orthodox character, whose opinions align directly with those of the state. He believes that words is very necessary and fun and that through this process, the language will improve. He explains that antonyms like "bad" are not needed, as, instead, "ungood" can serve as a far better alternative. Additionally, he believes that synonyms are equally useless, as, again, words like "plusgood" can replace words like "excellent" or "splendid." Additionally, he credits Big Brother for establishing this vision while taking pride in what he does. All the evidence provided demonstrates that, in theory, he would be a very important part of the system, as his perspective aligns directly with that of the state. Nevertheless, he gets eliminated by the state. He ceases to exist and it is communicated that "he had never existed." This example demonstrates greatly how, even someone like him, can become a threat to the state due to him being educated and intelligent. Despite not opposing the views of the state directly, he was seen as "too intelligent" and therefore, a threat. This displays effectively how someone can be seen as a threat by the state and get eliminated even for being intelligent, regardless of if they question the system or not.  

Stasi 

Read the article in MB files about experiences in the GDR. 

Write a letter from Peter Keup's brother to Peter explaining why you made the choices that you did during the existence of the GDR. 

Propaganda 

Using the link in Teams, add one example of propaganda, from any part of the world between 1903  until  1950 , that are reflected in Nineteen Eighty-Four

Each group will be given a topic.

Develop Orwell's message on this topic in part 1 

Sex​

Love​

Politics​

Control​

Rebellion​

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Why is the girl from the Fiction Department not given a name?​

On the topic your group have been given, combine your reactions to how that theme is evidenced in part one.  ​

​Represent your ideas as a mind map

You need to make notes on…​

Key quotations​

Key events​

Reactions to Winston​

Writers Intentions​

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 George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) biographical details

 Politics, political change in Europe in 1920 -1949

 Society, social changes in Europe in 1920 -1949

 The reception of 1984, at the time of composition and today

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Research the area assigned to your group

Add to your mind map 

Put your laptop away. 

Assign in your group the first 5 chapters in part 1. 

Take notes first in your exercise book for the 5 headings

Complete the table. 

Your table will be shared with the class. 

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