"Between the Pages" -- Period 4

W12, #6: What Would Your Paperweight Be?

As you all remember, Winston purchases a glass paperweight -- with a piece of coral in it -- from the antique shop...and sneaks it home.  When he later rents the apartment to hide with Julia, he keeps it there, too.  It becomes a symbol of something he is trying to understand/remember, even more than just being something beautiful.

For Winston, his glass paperweight represents a link to a 'missing history' he does not want to forget. It is also a link to an 'imaginary future' he dreams about.  In some ways, it helps him keep sane when everything around him seems beyond understanding.  Maybe this is what matters most to him.

Imagine this:

• Imagine you suddenly woke up to find yourself in an apartment like Winston, with a blue uniform on, listening to a telescreen in the background.  In other words, you found yourself as a character in the book itself.  And there is no escape.
• Imagine that you knew the 'truth' about Big Brother's world...but you also realized that you'd be a 'thought criminal' (and killed) if you told anyone what you knew.  There would never be a way to change this. Again, there is no escape.  Your only choice is to find some way to let your imagination continue to live.
• Imagine you could buy or find (1) object -- like Winston's glass paperweight -- that would help you remain 'sane' and maintain 'hope' for the future.

Challenge:

• Identify what the (1) object would be.  Be creative.  Anything is possible.
• Explain why this (1) object would help you keep sane and maintain hope.
• 5+ sentences.

W12, #5: Bringing the Book to Life

We'll soon be reading Goldstein's secret book -- The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism -- let's take a look at how Hollywood tries to explain this part of the novel (including when O'Brien gives Winston the book):

Challenge:

• Do you think that this part of the film is an accurate portrayal of the book as your mind is picturing it?
• Did they explain enough of Goldstein's book (and ideas) to help a person watching the film (who has never read the book) understand what you now know?
• What should they have added?  What should they have left out?

Here's the clip (about 10 minutes long):

W12, #4: Going Back in Time

Speaking of movie versions of 1984 (see W10, #3), I'm curious what you think of the way Hollywood advertised the original film version of the novel back in the year 1956.

Certainly an interesting visual way to attract people to watch the film.

Challenge:  In 5+ sentences, analyze this film poster. 

Does it work? 

Does it surprise you? 

Why do you think this is the way they tried to advertise the film back in 1956, only 7 years after the novel was first published?

W12, #3: Did Hollywood Get It Right?

While we haven't read the entire novel yet, all of you have a certain 'image' (in your heads) of what this story 'looks like'.  You might even have a vision for how you'd create a film version, too.

A few years ago, Hollywood created their own film version of the novel, 1984.  Note: the film was originally done decades ago (see W10, #4 to learn more).

Below is the original 2-minute trailer/advertisement. 

I'm curious what you think.

Challenge: In 7+ sentences, do you think that this film trailer accurately portrays the 'atmosphere' and 'ideas' of the novel as you understand them?  How did Hollywood get it right?  And how did Hollywood get it wrong?

W12, #2: A Surprising Pop Culture Moment

Almost a decade before you were born, a young technology company released one of the most famous television ads in modern history as an 'attack' on a larger technology company:

It featured a striking visual image that almost riveted viewers to the screen.

It featured a familiar film theme (can you name it? he smiles).

It also featured a stunning 'message' to customers of a competing technology company (that many of you may also be familiar with) that they should 'revolt' and consider a different company's technology (that many of you are also very familiar with).

Challenge:  5+ sentence reaction to the video (on YouTube) that includes...

part 1:  what you think of the actual television ad

part 2: any connections to 1984 that catch your attention

W12, #1: What is Orwell Trying to Say?

We're soon going to be learning a bit about the historical creation of the 'party' and Big Brother's government. In fact, we're actually going to read one of the documents that helped create this world -- the 'book' by Goldstein, for those of you 'in the know'. 

With that said, what is the one rule, Big Brother slogan, or piece of 'party' propaganda that you'd like to learn more about? 

Challenge: In 5+ sentences, tell us.

Image:  One of Orwell's original hand-written manuscript pages.