1984 WEBQUEST
Overview:
A webquest project uses the resources of the Internet to explore and answer questions pertaining to a particular topic. We are going to explore the background of 1984.
Introduction:
You will soon begin reading the novel 1984 by George Orwell. In preparation, it is extremely important that you gain the necessary background information in order to understand certain situations within the plot. We are going to explore 1984’s themes and how they have and continue to affect our society.
Orwell's 1984 provides thought-provoking material that deals with themes of totalitarianism, manipulation of language, propaganda, isolation, government invasion of personal privacy, social class inequality, government control, loss of individuality, and abuse of power just to name a few.
Task:
There are four topics below that you will explore. There are recommended websites listed, but please feel free to explore other sites on your own. You must answer all the questions under each topic in complete sentences. You do not have to write out the question. You may work by yourself or with a partner. You may hand-write or compose on a shared Google Drive Word Doc.The completed webquest is due on Thursday for 100 assessment points.
Share/submit completed webquest to jessupsenglish@gmail.com
Share/submit completed webquest to jessupsenglish@gmail.com
Topic I: About the Author
In order to fully appreciate 1984, and its themes, it is important to know a little about the author, George Orwell, who led an incredibly interesting life that led to his inspiration for his various novels.
George Orwell Biography - http://www.biography.com/people/george-orwell-9429833?page=2
1. What was George Orwell’s real name and where was he born and raised?
2. One of Orwell’s most popular texts is the novel Animal Farm. When was it published? What inspired Orwell to write Animal Farm?
2. One of Orwell’s most popular texts is the novel Animal Farm. When was it published? What inspired Orwell to write Animal Farm?
3. When was 1984 published? Against what political state does Orwell warn against in 1984?
4. When did Orwell die?
Topic II: Satire
George Orwell wrote 1984 as a satirical criticism of government and society.
Literary Devices - http://literarydevices.net/satire/
5. What is satire? And what is its intent (its purpose)?
6. What is irony?
7. Name another piece of literature that is considered a satire.
Government control is arguably the most important theme in 1984 and is so intense that readers might have trouble finding the plot believable. However, you should know that he based the government in his novel on truth, so it's important to have some historical background.
Encyclopedia Britannica - http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/600435/totalitarianism
8. What is totalitarianism?
9. Who coined this term? When?
9. Who coined this term? When?
The Rise of Totalitarianism - http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/sscience/history/totalitarianism.htm
10. What are at least three examples of totalitarian governments in the first half of the 20th century (1900-1950)?
11. Read the second paragraph under “The Soviet Union Under Stalin.” What tactics did Stalin use to force his will on the Soviet people? What are three things that Stalin did to make sure that he stayed in power?
12. How did Benito Mussolini gain power in Italy?
13. What are at least three of the ways Mussolini's party controlled people and the media?
14. What was Mussolini's well-known slogan?
12. How did Benito Mussolini gain power in Italy?
13. What are at least three of the ways Mussolini's party controlled people and the media?
14. What was Mussolini's well-known slogan?
15. How did Adolf Hitler gain power in Germany?
16. What was the Gestapo and what was their purpose?
17. What did the Nazis use to glorify their goals?
Topic IV: Propaganda
In 1984, you will quickly see that propaganda plays a large role. As you read, you might ask yourself, "How is it possible that people in this society buy into these ridiculous concepts?" However, George Orwell based many of the themes in his novels on true events in history, and propaganda is no exception.
Merriam Webster Dictionary - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propaganda
18. What is propaganda? Use definitions 2 and 3.
The Power of Nazi Propaganda Video - http://reason.com/blog/2010/12/02/reasontv-the-power-of-nazi-pro
19. Describe how much the Nazi seats in the German parliament changed from 1928 through 1932.
20. How does the narrator of this movie say that the Nazi’s where able to gain popularity so quickly? How did the Nazis implement marketing to different groups?
21. After 1933-1934, the Nazis implemented the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda as part of their governmental cabinet. What was the goal of this ministry? What did they control?
22. How did the Ministry aim the Nazi propaganda at Jews? For what were they blamed?
23. Why did Hitler believe so strongly in the spoken word over the written word?
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