,Table of contents
1. analysis book ..........................................................................................................................3
2. General information ................................................................................................................5
2.1 explanation of difficult terms ..............................................................................................6
3. summary per chapter ............................................................................................................ 10
4. possible exam questions + answers ....................................................................................... 16
5. useful link ............................................................................................................................. 19
2
, ANALYSIS BOOK
TITLE DECLARATION • Future vision → warning
• Year = close enough to seem realistic, far enough to be
frightening
• “This could happen soon if we’re not careful.” → dystopia
• Reversal of numbers: a direct warning for his own time
Takes place in the year 1984
(originally published in 1949, written in 1947-48)
TIME
narrated time About a year
Narrative time A few days
Time structure Chronological
+
flashbacks (diary → childhood memories + political situations)
Historical context Written after World War II, inspired by totalitarian regimes (Hitler &
Stalin)
SPACE
Place Oceania → Airstrip One
Important locations • London (the capital of Airstrip One → the new name for Great
Britain)
• The Ministry of Truth (where Winston works in the Records
department)
• Winston’s apartment
• The room above Mr. Charrington’s shop (second hand store)
• The Ministry of Love (where torture takes place)
Role of space Reinforces the feeling of oppression and fear → creates a dystopia
CHARACTERS
Winston Smith = Protagonist → round character
→ Works at the Ministry of Truth
→ Falsifies historical documents
→Writes a diary (which is against the rules)
→Doubts the regime
→Romantizes the life of the proles
→Has a varicose ulcer on left ankle
Big Brother = Antagonist
→Leader of The Party
→Real person?
Julia →Winston’s lover
→ Works in the Fiction Department
→Rebels against the regime
→Mechanic
→ Active member of the Junior Anti-Sex League
3
1. analysis book ..........................................................................................................................3
2. General information ................................................................................................................5
2.1 explanation of difficult terms ..............................................................................................6
3. summary per chapter ............................................................................................................ 10
4. possible exam questions + answers ....................................................................................... 16
5. useful link ............................................................................................................................. 19
2
, ANALYSIS BOOK
TITLE DECLARATION • Future vision → warning
• Year = close enough to seem realistic, far enough to be
frightening
• “This could happen soon if we’re not careful.” → dystopia
• Reversal of numbers: a direct warning for his own time
Takes place in the year 1984
(originally published in 1949, written in 1947-48)
TIME
narrated time About a year
Narrative time A few days
Time structure Chronological
+
flashbacks (diary → childhood memories + political situations)
Historical context Written after World War II, inspired by totalitarian regimes (Hitler &
Stalin)
SPACE
Place Oceania → Airstrip One
Important locations • London (the capital of Airstrip One → the new name for Great
Britain)
• The Ministry of Truth (where Winston works in the Records
department)
• Winston’s apartment
• The room above Mr. Charrington’s shop (second hand store)
• The Ministry of Love (where torture takes place)
Role of space Reinforces the feeling of oppression and fear → creates a dystopia
CHARACTERS
Winston Smith = Protagonist → round character
→ Works at the Ministry of Truth
→ Falsifies historical documents
→Writes a diary (which is against the rules)
→Doubts the regime
→Romantizes the life of the proles
→Has a varicose ulcer on left ankle
Big Brother = Antagonist
→Leader of The Party
→Real person?
Julia →Winston’s lover
→ Works in the Fiction Department
→Rebels against the regime
→Mechanic
→ Active member of the Junior Anti-Sex League
3
