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Lesson 4

We will analyze Orwell’s use of suspense, symbolism, and paradox in Chapter 8. We will take time to reflect on what we have learned so far about the central ideas, Winston’s character, and key terms in Part 1 of 1984.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I analyze and evaluate the effects of suspense, symbolism, and paradox in the novel 1984?

  • Can I revisit, refine, and revise my understanding of the novel 1984 based on my readings and discussions with others?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • 1984, George Orwell, Signet Classics, 1949

Materials

Tools

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss – Write

In small groups, we will discuss chapter 8 and use guiding questions to shape the discussion.

Share with your group the most interesting sentence you found from Chapter 8 and discuss the following questions:

  1. What does your sentence reveal about the society of Oceania?

  2. What about the sentence makes it interesting for you, the reader?

Use the discussion to make any revisions to your notes.

Activity 2: Read – Discuss – Write

We will reread a passage from chapter 8 and examine orwwell’s use of symbolism.

A symbol is a person, object, or idea that represents a more abstract idea. Interpreting symbols is key to understanding the implied meaning or theme of a text.

Reread and annotate from the paragraph that begins "The tiny interior of the shop was in fact uncomfortably full" through "Winston immediately paid over the four dollars and slid the coveted thing into his pocket" (p. 95).

Use the following questions to guide your annotations:

  1. What object is Winston’s attention drawn to? How would you describe it?

  2. Given what you have read so far, what might be its symbolic significance? What textual evidence supports your conclusion.

Discuss your answers as a class. Use the discussion to make revisions to your notes, as needed.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss – Write

We will examine Orwell’s use of paradox to communicate central ideas in the novel.

Examine Winston’s diary entry at the end of Chapter 8:

WAR IS PEACE

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

We first encountered these slogans in Chapter 1. Each sentence is an example of a paradox. A paradox is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that, when closely examined, might prove to be true.

Given what you know now, having read in Part 1 of 1984, how does each of these self-contradictory statements also reveal a truth about the society or government of Oceania?

Thinking as an author, how is Orwell’s use of paradox effective at communicating his intended message?

Work with your group to create a joint answer for these questions. After your group has drafted your response, switch responses with another group. Compare your answers with theirs, providing feedback. Use your partner group’s feedback to make revisions to your response.

Be prepared to share your revised response with the class.

Activity 4: Read – Write

We will pause to reflect on what we have learned from reading part 1 of the novel and use the reflection to make updates to various Note-Taking Tools.

Use the remaining time to update to the following tools and notes:

  • Thematic and Central Ideas Note-Taking Tool

  • Character Note-Taking Tool

  • definitions of key terms in the novel in your Vocabulary Journal

  • examples of interesting and powerful sentences in your Mentor Sentence Journal

Complete the updates for homework, if necessary.