1984 Discussion Questions

Answer each question thoroughly, with textual evidence, in preparation for group discussion.

Part 1:
1. What does the opening sentence suggest about the book?

2. The name “Winston” means from a “friendly country.” “Smith” is a common last name. From these names, can you
suggest a possible irony? Also, consider the association of Winston Smith and Winston Churchill. What similarities
do you see between the two? What else do we know about Winston concerning his age, abilities, and occupation?

3. Discuss the significance and nature of Winston's dreams. Deconstruct the dream wherein O'Brien claims that they
"shall meet in a place where there is no darkness" (page 22), and the dream in which Winston's mother and sister
disappear (page 26). What are the underpinnings of these dreams? What deeper meanings do they hold? Why do
you think the author devotes as much time as he does to Winston's dreams?

4. Compare and contrast some of the other characters in Winston's world: Parsons, Syme, O'Brien. How does Winston
view each one? How do they differ from Winston? What opinion do you think each one has of Winston?

5. Who is Big Brother and what is the significance of his name?

6. What is the significance of Comrade Ogilvy? How does the party control history? Why?

7. In what way are Julia and Winston alike and different?

8. Why does the party permit couples to marry but discourages love?

9. Why does Orwell represent the society of 1984 as being in a state of perpetual war, yet with no decisive victory?

Part 2:
1. How easy do you think it is to brainwash people after reading 1984?

2. Explore the symbolic significance of the clock, the paperweight, the song the prole woman sings, and the nursery
rhyme about the bell.

3. How does Winston’s understanding of women change throughout the course of the book?

4. Given Winston's own acknowledgment that he is under constant surveillance, and that it would only be a matter of
time before the Thought Police caught him, no one in his world could be trusted. Prior to his capture, which
character or characters did you envision as betraying Winston? How did you foresee his ultimate demise? Did you,
on the contrary, feel that by some chance he would overcome the forces aligned against him, and fulfill his wish to
conquer The Party?

5. Why is the headquarters of the Thought Police and the repressive apparatus of the Party appropriately called the
“Ministry of Love?” Summarize the three stages of treatment at the Ministry of Love.

6. When does Winston first realize that O’Brien is directing his torture? Do you think that on some level he was always
aware that O’Brien was an inner party member? Why does O’Brien want to convince Winston that two plus two
equals five?

7. When and in what way does Winston betray Julia? Is it justified? Why or why not? How does Winston’s betrayal
signal his own end? What happens when Winston and Julia accidentally meet?

8. Why doesn’t The Party simply eliminate rebellious members?

9. From the evidence of the novel itself, defend one of these two ideas: Orwell intended 1984 as a prophecy; or he
intended 1984 as a criticism of contemporary societies?