Explain Winstons motive for buying the paperweight as well as its symbolic interpretation as it changes throughout the novel.

CSE120 Reading the Biography

Topics for Final Paper on 1984

Topic #1

The theme of betrayal is a dominant thread running throughout this novel. Give examples of characters and events that contribute to Winstons final selfbetrayal. Make it clear that these examples intensify the novels overall mood of loneliness and alienation.

Outline

I. Thesis statement: Orwell explores various kinds of betrayal, including selfbetrayal, to heighten the mood of loneliness and alienation in 1984.

II. Party intolerance of betrayal to its ideology
A. Indoctrination of children to Party policy
B. Denouncement
C. Role of the Thought Police
D. Extermination
E. Room 101

III. Individual characters betrayal of one another
A. Charringtons betrayal of Winston and Julia
B. Parsons betrayal by his children
C. Ampleforths betrayal by his work
D. OBriens betrayal of Winston

IV. The hope symbolized by Winston and Julias love affair
A. The sanctuary of Charringtons room
B. The lovers definition of betrayal
C. Winstons betrayal of Julia
D. Julias admittance to betraying Winston

V. Selfbetrayal
A. Winstons capitulation to the Party
B. Implications of Winstons defeat

VI. Overall pessimism of the conclusion

Topic #2

That 1984 is a satire on totalitarian states such as Hitlers Germany and Stalins Russia and a warning to the West is one of the commonly accepted interpretations of the novel. Prove that this is so by showing that Orwell did create a complete, repressive totalitarian state in Oceania.

Outline

I. Thesis statement: Orwells 1984 attacks the totalitarianism of the East while warning the West of its consequences.

II. Party ideology
A. Oneparty system
B. Hierarchical structureBig Brother as leader
C. Total control of society
D. Partys motive as explained by OBrien

III. Monitoring as an effort to eliminate insurrection
A. Thought Police
B. Telescreens
C. Hidden microphones
D. Passport checks
E. Vaporization
F. Room 101

IV. Control of mass communication
A. Function of the Ministry of Truth
B. Winstons job at the Ministry of Truth
C. Ampleforths function as poet
D. Symes work on Newspeak
E. Constant announcements on telescreen
F. Party mottocontrol of the past

V. Examples from History
A. Stalins Russia
B. Hitlers Germany

Topic #3

The paperweight Winston purchases at Charringtons shop takes on several meanings before its final destruction during Winstons arrest. Explain Winstons motive for buying the paperweight as well as its symbolic interpretation as it changes throughout the novel.

Outline

I. Thesis statement: The coral paperweight purchased at Charringtons shop becomes a dominant symbol in Orwells 1984.

II. Purchase of the paperweight
A. Significance of Charringtons shop as the setting
B. Winstons motive for its purchase

III. Interpretation as a symbol
A. Relic of the past
B. Sanctuary of the room
C. Beauty of the affair, symbol of hope
D. Destruction of the paperweight/affair

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