Search advanced search
 
Books
Search:
x dismiss this message

Did you know you can edit this page?

George Orwell's 1984 (Max Notes)
  • Rated 0 stars
Read George Orwell's 1984 (Max Notes)
This book is based on 1984 by George Orwell.

George Orwell's 1984 (Max Notes) (edit title/settings)

by Karen Brodeur (Author) (edit contributors)

Share this book on:
see page history

Description edit see section history

MAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independ ent... read more

Summary edit see section history

The novel's protagonist, Winston Smith, is a citizen of Oceania, one of the world's three superstates along with Eurasia and Eastasia. It is the year 1984, and Winston lives in Airstrip One, which used to be known as Great Britain. Winston is a member of the Party, which rules Oceania under... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The novel's protagonist, Winston Smith, is a citizen of Oceania, one of the world's three superstates along with Eurasia and Eastasia. It is the year 1984, and Winston lives in Airstrip One, which used to be known as Great Britain. Winston is a member of the Party, which rules Oceania under the principles of English Socialism. Oceania is an oligarchy, under hierarchical rule. The Party consists of Inner Party members, who are the ruling elite, and regular Party members, who are citizens of Oceania. Outside of the Party are the proles, non-Party members and simple people who live in poverty and are free from Party regulations. The Party's leader is Big Brother, and there are massive images of his kind visage, complete with dark hair and a substantial mustache, displayed throughout London, some accompanied by the words "Big Brother is Watching You." The Party's three slogans are: "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength."

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Winston Smith: A minor member of the ruling Party in near-future London, Winston Smith is a thin, frail, contemplative, intellectual, and fatalistic thirty nine years old. Winston hates the totalitarian control and enforced repression that are characteristic of his government. He harbors revolutionary dreams.
  • Julia: winston's lover, a beautiful dark-haired girl working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. Julia enjoys sex, and claims to have had affairs with many Party members. Julia is pragmatic and optimistic. Her rebellion against the Party is small and personal, for her own enjoyment.
  • O'Brien: A mysterious, powerful, and sophisticated member of the Inner Party whom Winston believes is also a member of the Brotherhood, the legendary group of anti-Party rebels.
  • Big Brother: Though he never appears in the novel, and though he may not actually exist, Big Brother, the perceived ruler of Oceania, is an extremely important figure. Everywhere Winston looks he sees posters of Big Brother's face bearing the message “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.” Big Brother's image is stamped on coins and broadcast on the unavoidable telescreens. It haunts Winston's life and fills him with hatred and fascination.
Popular Covers

Loading covers…

Choose your book’s cover

Quotes edit see section history

  • “"War is peace,freedom is slavery,ignorance is strength."”
  • “"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."”

First Sentence edit see section history

It was a bright cold in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Karen Brodeur (Author)

Classification edit see section history

We’re hiding the errata, movie connections, books that influenced this book, books influenced by this book, books that cite this book and books cited by this book sections. If you would like to add content to them, you must first make them visible.

© 2006-2013 Shelfari | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy

Close