6. Chapter 5 part 1

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

Goals for today 

Supporting characters in chapter V part I 

Considering body paragraphs 

Topic development in part I 

Reading for Wednesday chpt I & II part II pg 133 

Complete the novel by 11th June 

 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​
  

Around the room are key quotations referencing these three characters from chapter V. 

Annotate each one 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

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

Write one paragraph 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 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. 

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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.’

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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

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 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. Firstly, the character of Syme exemplifies the understanding of Newspeak as a controlling tool used by the government to limit citizens of their free speech and thought. He is, as quoted by Winston, "too intelligent." And also "He sees too clearly...". As further shown in the quote, Syme is aware of the governments agenda, but surprisingly, loves his job and does not think the decreasing vocabulary of Newspeak is wrong, but rather "a beautiful thing. The destruction of words". His character is an embodiment of censorship at its most extreme and illustrates the contrasting opinion – in relation to other characters - on the oppression of free speech to the reader. Secondly, Mr. Parsons' character is a demonstration of the ignorance and naivety held by people in indoctrinated society. As shown in a few quotes talking about his children, and the government, he talks rather enthusiastic about the circumstances. "the ministry of plenty has certainly done a good job this year [..]". His mentioned body language as he verbally expresses news with positive connotation, might suggest that he has some knowledge about the real circumstances, but that he turns a blind eye.  

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 Chapters Eight. ​

​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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