Intro to Nineteen Eighty- Four

What would define as more important?

In groups of 5 argue what is more valuable: Freedom or Security

Freedom vs. SecurityPick a position and argue why your group feels that way. Come up with 5 points why you would value freedom or security.

Pre Reading1-4

PurposeThe purpose of this novel and these discussions is to focus on the role of the individual citizen in society along with the power the government has over its citizens;As the government starts playing a much bigger role in our lives, it is important for to understand just how much our life can actually be affected.

DystopiaDystopias are often characterized by dehumanization, totalitarian governments, environmental disaster, or other characteristics associated with a violent/ sudden decline in society. Dystopian societies are often used to draw attention to real world issues regarding society, environment, politics, religion, psychology, ethics, science and/or technology which if unaddressed could lead to such a dystopia-like condition.

1984 was published in 1949. Like A Handmaid’s Tale the story was written about the future.The novel is set in AirStrip One (formally Great Britain). In a world of perpetual war, government surveillance, and public manipulation.The general population is controlled by privileged. Inner Party Elite

Persecutes all individualism or independent thinking as thought crimes.

The tyranny is epitomized by Big Brother, a Party Leader who enjoys a ‘cult of personality’ but may not even exist.

Cult of PersonalityA cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized, heroic, and at times, worshipful image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.Often a single leader became associated with this revolutionary transformation and came to be treated as a “guide” for the nation without whom the transformation to a better future couldn’t occur.

Big Brother and The Party justify their oppressive rule in the name of the greater good.This kind of reasoning suggests that some will suffer but most will benefit. In these types of societies the ‘ruler’ sees a persons protection/ safety as primary. The main objective is to keep the population compliant in order to avoid rebellion’s and danger.

CensorshipA major theme is censorship. Photographs are doctored and public archives rewritten to rid them of ‘unpersons’ (persons who have been arrested, to whom the party decides to erase from history).On telescreens figures for all types of production are exaggerated to indicate an ever growing economy when the reality is the opposite.

Who writes history?Who chooses what we learn? Why?For instance: Does anyone know what a residential school is?

Educational Censorshiphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3vgGqlZGGE

Censorship- Banning Films

Iran;Saturday Night Fever, Scarface, Schlinder’s List, Boogie Nights, Liar Liar, South Park, Zoolander, Bruce Almighty, The Matrix, The Passion of The Christ, Fahrenheit 9/11, Harold and Kumar go to White Castle, 40 Year Old Virgin, The Da Vinci Code, Talladega Nights, Borat, Brokeback Mountain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_banned_in_Canada

Quick WriteDo you believe in some levels of censorship? List the reasons why a government might employ censorship? Why aren’t certain words used or certain subjects talked about? Is it better to be feared than loved?

What are the flaws of being feared?

Internet Censorship in China

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lcXxL4mnp0

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are blocked. Everything we watch is constructed and in some form censored. It is the government and corporations that are in charge of what gets viewed, read and used.

Freedom of SpeechAt what point should privileges regarding freedom of speech be taken away?

Corporation and media propoganda:

I want everyone to write down one of their favourite television shows. What is the last piece of news you heard.

Psychologists and sociologists noticed a trend amongst our generation. Our media and upbringing has made us known as a generation that:Feels entitled

We are the first generation that’s projected to be less financially affluent than our parents.

There was a huge crisis going on in Ukraine but the most popular news story was about Rob Ford.

Surveillance The inhabitants of Oceania have no real privacy.Many of them live in apartments equipped with two- way telescreens so that they may be watched or listened to at any time. Similar telescreens are found at workstations and in public places, along with hidden microphones. Written correspondence is opened and read by the government.The Thought Police employ undercover agents who pose as nomal citizens any report any person with rebellious tendencies

Children are encouraged to report suspicious persons to the government.

Surveillance controls the citizenry and the smallest sign of rebellion. Something as small as a facial expression can result in arrest.

Would you agree that our society makes it difficult to maintain any level of privacy?

Especially through social media. Notice how corporations ask you to ‘follow them’ or like there products on various social media sights.

Government Controlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrxDrpi1XNU

1984 Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52wis_sLT1I

Schedule For Tomorrow: Read Chapter 1In Class Recap and Discussion.