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Lesson 5

We will discuss the final two chapters of the novel, and will examine Orwell’s use of foreshadowing and structural choices. We will work in groups to determine and express themes from the novel.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I analyze and explain the impact of foreshadowing on reader understanding of the novel 1984?

  • Can I analyze and explain how Orwell’s choices concerning how to structure the ending of the novel contribute to its overall meaning and aesthetic impact?

  • Can I determine multiple themes of 1984?

Texts

Core

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

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss – Write

We will meet with our literature circles to discuss chapters 5–6 from part 3 of 1984.

Meet with your literature circle to discuss Chapters 5-6 from Part 3 of 1984. Begin the discussion by responding to the following question:

  1. How effective was George Orwell in communicating his message to society?

Use your annotations, open-ended questions, and literary analysis to guide the literature discussion circle. Be sure to include evidence from the text in your discussion. Take notes on the interesting ideas of others.

Activity 2: Read – Discuss – Write

We will reread two excerpts from the novel to examine Orwell’s use of foreshadowing.

Compare two passages from the novel:

Part 1, Chapter 7, the passage that begins, "Some time after their release Winston had actually seen all three of them in the Chestnut Tree Cafe" through, "The three men never stirred."

Part 3, Chapter 6, the passage that begins, "He followed irresolutely for a little distance" through, "The tears welled up in his eyes."

Use the following questions to guide your annotations:

  1. What similarities are present in both scenes?

  2. What is Orwell's purpose in concluding the novel with scenes that evoke earlier scenes?

  3. What does this structural choice suggest about the meaning of the text as a whole? What textual evidence supports your conclusion?

Discuss the questions as a class.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss – Write

We will work in groups to draft themes from 1984.

Thematic ideas are the general focus areas or topics of a literary text. Central ideas are the focused ideas of a specific text. They are directly tied to the text, highlight the author’s main point, and are expressed as a complete thought.

A theme in a literary text is the underlying message or "big idea" about life and the human experience. Themes are universal and can apply across many texts. Texts might also contain multiple themes. Themes are expressed as complete thoughts or statements.

Work with a group to draft themes for the thematic ideas you previously identified on your Thematic and Central Ideas Note-Taking Tool. Your themes must be expressed as complete thoughts and be applicable across texts.

Activity 4: Read – Discuss – Write

We will exchange Thematic and Central Ideas Note-Taking Tools with another group and broaden our understanding of themes in 1984.

Exchange Thematic and Central Ideas Note-Taking Tools with another group. Compare your themes with theirs, and provide feedback. Use your partner group’s feedback to make revisions to your themes.