Blog #64 - Sabina Torchinsky - Period 7 - 06/12/2020
Sabina Torchinsky
Blog #64
Period 7
June 12, 2020
Sophomores 2020
Aim : How is connotation, denotation, and paradox explicated through Orwell’s “doublethink”?
Continuing our ongoing discussion of the novel “1984”, written by George Orwell, our class assignment for Lesson 6 was to read and analyze Book 2: Chapters 1-3. To summarize Chapter 1, Winston helps the dark-haired girl up after she falls, and she passes him a note that reads “I love you.” Several days of nervous tension go by and Winston musters up the courage to sit at the same lunch table as the girl and both plan to meet at the Victory Square, where they converse about a place they can have their tryst. In Chapter 2, it is revealed that the mysterious dark-haired girl’s name is Julia and Winston falls in love with her because of the crimes she has committed although being a Party member. Winston and Julia return back to their normal lives in London in the final chapter and the reader can characterize Julia as having different views on society than Winston. She isn’t interested in widespread rebellion and, rather, likes enjoying herself. Winston remarks about the time he wanted to push his ex-wife off a cliff but realized it didn’t matter because it’s impossible to win against the forces of oppression that the government has over their lives. After analyzing these three chapters, it is evident that the Party’s inclusion of political enemies throughout public areas demonstrates psychological manipulation; the belief that war and fear unites people together is what the government has to control society and not give them the chance to unconform.
Do Now : Analyze the images below. Record the feelings you have/associate/identify with each of the “6” images.
Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word, the “dictionary definition”. Examples include thin - slender, unattractive - plain, illiterate - uneducated. Connotation refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word. Examples include thin - skinny, beanpole, gaunt, unattractive - dull, ugly, illiterate - stupid, ignorant, foolish.
In the Do Now, the image of the moth and the butterfly can be denoted as an insect with wings but the moth is connoted negatively, while the butterfly suggests the idea of beauty. The image of the cars can be defined as a vehicle used for driving, but the first image implies feelings of cheapness, while the second image is a symbol for status and wealth. Similarly, the images of the houses have a denotation of a place to live, while their connotations differ in that the first image seems cozy, while the second house signifies eeriness.
Paradox is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory, but which may include a latent truth. The term comes from the Greek word paradoxon, which means “contrary to expectations, existing belief, or perceived opinion”. Examples include “War is peace”, “Freedom is slavery”, “Ignorance is strength”, as is seen in the novel.
What is a Paradox?
Sarah’s Certain Death Riddle
One door lies, one tells the truth. Let's say Certain Death is behind door A. If you ask the Liar which door Truth would say is the correct, non-death door, Liar knows that Truth would say B, and always lies, so he says Door A. If you ask Truth what Liar would say, Truth knows that Liar would lie and send you to Door A. Therefore, in either case, you pick door B, which is correct.
As an individual activity, our class was assigned The Oceania Times Advertisement, in which we were supposed to create an advertisement for a position that could be found at a Ministry of your choice. For my advertisement, I chose the Ministry of Truth, shown below, and incorporated double-speak, denotation, connotation, and diction to mirror what the Party members do to manipulate the people. I included and overexaggerated positive aspects of the job and chose to ignore the negative ones. I included the paradox mentioned before, “Freedom is slavery”, and explained it in a way that would make the employee feel obligated to go for an interview and serve his neighbors.
Class Discussion : As a class, we discussed whether or not George Orwell would think society is crazy or wasting time focusing on the topic at hand. I believe that he wrote the novel in order to force people and society as a whole to stop and question everything that the government or higher powers makes you believe. He’s setting Winston as the main character who makes the decision to betray what is being told to him and the consequences of him doing so; but, nevertheless, he is the main character for a specific reason.
Enrichment (1984 Part 2 Chapter 1-3 Analysis)
Thoughts on what’s happening in the world - During these hard times, it is challenging to see what’s going on in the world, more specifically George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Movement, and COVID-19 and quarantine, and not try to help or contribute our voices and our privileges. Social media has been proven to be effective in reaching out to people and sharing our opinions and educating others. Of course, some people would rather not post and, instead, donate to organizations and support black-owned business. Another way to help is to take part in peaceful protests, while maintaining self distancing rules, like wearing a mask and not taking it off under any conditions. The best way to contribute to the movement is to get educated and educate others close to you, such as your family members, no matter how difficult that can be. The conversation needs to start and can’t stop until the goal is reached.
https://time.com/5849721/how-to-help-black-lives-matter-protests/
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html
Reflection of today’s lesson - Book 2 is the first instant Winston shares his rebellious feelings with another person and he becomes a more open person, which implies how intense his feelings are. George Orwell wanted the reader to read this chapter and stop and think of what they don’t completely agree with and try to change what either the reader is doing wrong or contribute to what other people might not see. The use of double-speak and specifically connoted words helps the government trick the minds of the people, but Winston doesn’t give in so easily.
No comments:
Post a Comment