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Monday, March 15, 2010
Make-Up Blog Task (If you were gone Wednesday, March 17, when we did ning work.) Due Tuesday, March 23
Type 200+ words about (1) what you get about 1984 thus far; (2) what you don't get about 1984 thus far; and (3) your reactions to having Professor Patrick Hicks of Augustana College here. Did he help prove this novel is brilliant and relevant?
10 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Austin Sumner
I know now that history created this novel. Eric Arthur Blair (aka George Orwell) based this book off of all the wrong, terrible things that happened in the first 50 years of the 20th century. About 50 million people died in these years due to corrupt goverments and a nasty virus. Prior to this havoc, in the 1800's humanity, technology, and the world was chaning for the better. This book in this book everyone is constantly observed by Big Brother (Winston Smith I believe). People are always "disappearing" because they have made wrong moves/choices. Their are hate sessions on a person who, ironically, has a Jewish name. This book is all about the history that happened over seas from us. I'm not far enough into this book to really have the knowledge to know what I dont get. But I appreciate Professor Hicks coming to talk to us about this novel. I recieved alot of background info on the novel so when I start reading it I think I will have a better idea of whats going on and be able to catch some irony here and there. I liked listening to him because I really learned a lot about the history of Europe. He diffenately proved how brilliant this novel is, and i get the impression that there are going to be a lot of literary devices in it. He was a very intresting/ intelligent person. I'm glad he came in because he gave me another perspective on how college is going to be and how professor's teach/lecture. Overall I thought it was a good expierence and I learned quite a bit.
1984 is a fictional novel about life with a corrupted government where individualism is strictly prohibited, history is rewritten, and luxuries are a luxury. Big Brother is the dictator that keeps the population under him by enforcing ignorance and silencing anybody who knows or thinks too much. Winston is a miserable, lower class citizen of this system who has been a worker in one of the departments used to enforce this mindlessness and is only beginning to realize what is really happening. He secretly keeps a novel and questions the secrets of his government, even though these are forbidden "thought crimes". I enjoyed listening to Professor Hicks. His insights into the novel and George Orwell's life were thorough. Everything he said has stuck with me and will continue to stick with me throughout the reading of this novel and beyond. I cannot think of anything that does not make sense to me at this moment and am ready to take the next step.
Way to be organized and prepared, Austin. Your reflections are welcomed. This novel will not let you down.
Right, Justin. This will make you think more about your world than ever before. Prof. Hicks understands his/the world really, really thoroughly. His travel, experience, and education has helped him, indeed.
Samantha Hagen 3 So far in 1984 I get that there living in a time of totalitarianism, and Winston hates it. He writes in his diary about being “down with Big Brother” knowing that if he ever gets caught writing he will be killed. Writing is his way of rebelling against the system, that’s the only way he knows how too. I couldn’t imagine living in a time like that where they have tele-screens in your house and they can see and hear you anytime they want too. I get who the Thought Police are, they could be anyone even your own kids or your best friend., they could be anywhere so you always have to watch what you say. I overall have a hard time understanding some of this book maybe because it doesn’t really interest me that much yet maybe it will once I get farther into it. Patrick Hicks helped me understand the author better I think he could have gone into detail of the book more but then again he probably didn’t want to give away anything important, I hope the more I read this book the more I start to understand and enjoy it since I’m sure ill be seeing again in college.
I havent gotten in much depth of 1984 because this novel is quite boring to me. Winston is the main character who wants to escape. He writes in his journal in retaliation to Big Brother. Big Brother is like the leader in the government. The government reminds me kind of like communism but worse. There are many screens around the building watching you. There is no way you can be alone for sure. Big Brother is always watching and so are the Thought Police. The Thought Police can be anyone. They are mini spies who will turn you in to Big Brother. I don’t understand what is the point of having this kind of government. Why even have a hate crime and have everyone under your control? Why is thinking a crime? This book kind of reminds me of Cukoo’s Nest because they are de-humanising the people. They aren’t treated very nicely and they are looked down upon. Patrick Hicks helped me better understand the author but not the book. I thought he was coming to help us understand more about the book and not the author. But i thought it was pretty cool having a college professor there to show us how college will be like next year. It’s time to put on my smart thinking cap ;)
This novel is a very different novel than ones I have read in the past. 1984 makes everyone seem like mindless sheep and that big brother is the lead sheep hoarder. I question that society would ever get that poor and uneducated that they would just fall for big brother's demands for his view of a good society. Winston is who the reader cheers for as he doesn't fall victim to the party's conformity. I don't truly understand some of the historical references they tell since they are always in long, drug out paragraphs and by the time you get down reading it, you lose interest in what they are talking about. It is also hard to understand some of the things in this book since they use Newspeak, or the language in their culture. The use of big words and Newspeak forces you to reread some sentences since they are such mouthfuls and hard to understand.
This book already ranks highly on my list of top pieces of literature because it is a warning for humanity. This book was written a few years after world war two, orwell realized the inhumane and corrupt things that were going on in fascist governments like Germany, italy, and russia. He understood that as history progresses we are more and more likely to end up like these countries if we allow the government to slowly take over our rights. I believe he wrote this book to acquaint readers with the realities of life in a society where there are no freedoms, no thoughts, or no "individuals." With the advance of technology comes the advance of government control. The only way we can stop this is by questioning authority when they act corruptly and inhumanely. I really enjoyed having Dr. Hicks come in and teach our class. He shed knowledge from a different perspective and it was refreshing. I believe he reiterated the reasons why it is so brilliant and relevant. I also enjoyed when he talked about orwell and his upbringing, and numerous life experiences which shaped who he is as a writer, and the topics he covered. I regret not asking him more about his time spent in london and how that changed his life and view of the world.
I'm starting to understand more and more about this book as I get farther into the novel. They background of the begining of the 20th century was a large help with the understanding of why this book and many others like it were published. He gave us insight on how people were feeling at this time as people we're being killed by the millions and families were losing a father or brother everyday. I dont understand much about the whole Victory Gin thing yet. The way I read the novel it is completly unecessary because the people will already believe whatever the party says even without being a little tipsy off of the Gin. If you look at how terrified the party has the citizens of Oceana you realize that maybe the Thought Police is completely unnecessary because most of the people are scared to have their own thoughts and if they do they would be confident enough to tell anyone else because of the fear that the Thought Police actually exist. I believe aslo that wihtout the background of his life that Prof. Hicks gave us, we would not know the entirety of how Orwell wrote this novel so well. All of the book starts to come together as you keep on reading i believe and i am anxious to read more.
So far, through the first part of 1984, I understand how the government is in control of the world and how their lives in this “new” society are to be. Though now this society is a thing of the past, actually a type of live none of us have ever had to experience and hopefully never will, at the time this novel was written, it was a very realistic future that had those who had read it terrified of the future. Professor Patrick Hicks touched on this matter too, explaining the time period the novel was published, suggesting character references, such as Winston being Winston Churchill. I’m not too sure about what exactly Winston’s character is supposed to be leading us to right now. From what I can see right now, he is leading us towards a climax, obviously because almost all books need a climax, but not just one in the plot, but one in the lives of those in this novel. A climax or turning point in which the world gets better and is not ruled by a dictator and changed from the “old ways”. I enjoyed having Patrick Hicks speak to us. He opened new avenues of thinking about this novel. I would love to take his class to learn more about 1984, though I’m sure we will get more in-depth about it as we progress through the novel and the year.
Professor Hicks really brought personality and understanding into the story of 1984. What I'd read up until his lecture didn't really influence me. I didn't really care. After learning about the author and all he'd gone through, my thoughts on the book changed dramatically. It really made me care about the book. There's not much in the book I don't understand. I understand that Winston's wishing he lived in a different time, whether he himself realizes it or not. I relate with him the need to write to get expression out, even though sometimes you still feel like screaming. It's an evil utopia he lives in, and somehow he needs to escape it. His diary is the perfect escape and the perfect dive - to us - into a world that we can't really comprehend. Going through his diary, even though he doubts in his mind who's going to read it, or even if someone will read it, is important to him. He's telling someone what's going on and how it's wrong, even if he doesn't know he's talking to me! Even if he doesn't know he's talking to you! He simply refers to it as the future, whether there will be anyone in the future to write it to whom will understand. I think that Winston is very brave in that world, whereas to us writing a simple diary is no big deal.
10 comments:
Austin Sumner
I know now that history created this novel. Eric Arthur Blair (aka George Orwell) based this book off of all the wrong, terrible things that happened in the first 50 years of the 20th century. About 50 million people died in these years due to corrupt goverments and a nasty virus. Prior to this havoc, in the 1800's humanity, technology, and the world was chaning for the better. This book in this book everyone is constantly observed by Big Brother (Winston Smith I believe). People are always "disappearing" because they have made wrong moves/choices. Their are hate sessions on a person who, ironically, has a Jewish name. This book is all about the history that happened over seas from us. I'm not far enough into this book to really have the knowledge to know what I dont get. But I appreciate Professor Hicks coming to talk to us about this novel. I recieved alot of background info on the novel so when I start reading it I think I will have a better idea of whats going on and be able to catch some irony here and there. I liked listening to him because I really learned a lot about the history of Europe. He diffenately proved how brilliant this novel is, and i get the impression that there are going to be a lot of literary devices in it. He was a very intresting/ intelligent person. I'm glad he came in because he gave me another perspective on how college is going to be and how professor's teach/lecture. Overall I thought it was a good expierence and I learned quite a bit.
1984 is a fictional novel about life with a corrupted government where individualism is strictly prohibited, history is rewritten, and luxuries are a luxury. Big Brother is the dictator that keeps the population under him by enforcing ignorance and silencing anybody who knows or thinks too much. Winston is a miserable, lower class citizen of this system who has been a worker in one of the departments used to enforce this mindlessness and is only beginning to realize what is really happening. He secretly keeps a novel and questions the secrets of his government, even though these are forbidden "thought crimes". I enjoyed listening to Professor Hicks. His insights into the novel and George Orwell's life were thorough. Everything he said has stuck with me and will continue to stick with me throughout the reading of this novel and beyond. I cannot think of anything that does not make sense to me at this moment and am ready to take the next step.
Way to be organized and prepared, Austin. Your reflections are welcomed. This novel will not let you down.
Right, Justin. This will make you think more about your world than ever before. Prof. Hicks understands his/the world really, really thoroughly. His travel, experience, and education has helped him, indeed.
Samantha Hagen 3
So far in 1984 I get that there living in a time of totalitarianism, and Winston hates it. He writes in his diary about being “down with Big Brother” knowing that if he ever gets caught writing he will be killed. Writing is his way of rebelling against the system, that’s the only way he knows how too. I couldn’t imagine living in a time like that where they have tele-screens in your house and they can see and hear you anytime they want too. I get who the Thought Police are, they could be anyone even your own kids or your best friend., they could be anywhere so you always have to watch what you say. I overall have a hard time understanding some of this book maybe because it doesn’t really interest me that much yet maybe it will once I get farther into it. Patrick Hicks helped me understand the author better I think he could have gone into detail of the book more but then again he probably didn’t want to give away anything important, I hope the more I read this book the more I start to understand and enjoy it since I’m sure ill be seeing again in college.
I havent gotten in much depth of 1984 because this novel is quite boring to me. Winston is the main character who wants to escape. He writes in his journal in retaliation to Big Brother. Big Brother is like the leader in the government. The government reminds me kind of like communism but worse. There are many screens around the building watching you. There is no way you can be alone for sure. Big Brother is always watching and so are the Thought Police. The Thought Police can be anyone. They are mini spies who will turn you in to Big Brother. I don’t understand what is the point of having this kind of government. Why even have a hate crime and have everyone under your control? Why is thinking a crime? This book kind of reminds me of Cukoo’s Nest because they are de-humanising the people. They aren’t treated very nicely and they are looked down upon. Patrick Hicks helped me better understand the author but not the book. I thought he was coming to help us understand more about the book and not the author. But i thought it was pretty cool having a college professor there to show us how college will be like next year. It’s time to put on my smart thinking cap ;)
This novel is a very different novel than ones I have read in the past. 1984 makes everyone seem like mindless sheep and that big brother is the lead sheep hoarder. I question that society would ever get that poor and uneducated that they would just fall for big brother's demands for his view of a good society. Winston is who the reader cheers for as he doesn't fall victim to the party's conformity. I don't truly understand some of the historical references they tell since they are always in long, drug out paragraphs and by the time you get down reading it, you lose interest in what they are talking about. It is also hard to understand some of the things in this book since they use Newspeak, or the language in their culture. The use of big words and Newspeak forces you to reread some sentences since they are such mouthfuls and hard to understand.
This book already ranks highly on my list of top pieces of literature because it is a warning for humanity. This book was written a few years after world war two, orwell realized the inhumane and corrupt things that were going on in fascist governments like Germany, italy, and russia. He understood that as history progresses we are more and more likely to end up like these countries if we allow the government to slowly take over our rights. I believe he wrote this book to acquaint readers with the realities of life in a society where there are no freedoms, no thoughts, or no "individuals." With the advance of technology comes the advance of government control. The only way we can stop this is by questioning authority when they act corruptly and inhumanely. I really enjoyed having Dr. Hicks come in and teach our class. He shed knowledge from a different perspective and it was refreshing. I believe he reiterated the reasons why it is so brilliant and relevant. I also enjoyed when he talked about orwell and his upbringing, and numerous life experiences which shaped who he is as a writer, and the topics he covered. I regret not asking him more about his time spent in london and how that changed his life and view of the world.
I'm starting to understand more and more about this book as I get farther into the novel. They background of the begining of the 20th century was a large help with the understanding of why this book and many others like it were published. He gave us insight on how people were feeling at this time as people we're being killed by the millions and families were losing a father or brother everyday. I dont understand much about the whole Victory Gin thing yet. The way I read the novel it is completly unecessary because the people will already believe whatever the party says even without being a little tipsy off of the Gin. If you look at how terrified the party has the citizens of Oceana you realize that maybe the Thought Police is completely unnecessary because most of the people are scared to have their own thoughts and if they do they would be confident enough to tell anyone else because of the fear that the Thought Police actually exist. I believe aslo that wihtout the background of his life that Prof. Hicks gave us, we would not know the entirety of how Orwell wrote this novel so well. All of the book starts to come together as you keep on reading i believe and i am anxious to read more.
So far, through the first part of 1984, I understand how the government is in control of the world and how their lives in this “new” society are to be. Though now this society is a thing of the past, actually a type of live none of us have ever had to experience and hopefully never will, at the time this novel was written, it was a very realistic future that had those who had read it terrified of the future. Professor Patrick Hicks touched on this matter too, explaining the time period the novel was published, suggesting character references, such as Winston being Winston Churchill. I’m not too sure about what exactly Winston’s character is supposed to be leading us to right now. From what I can see right now, he is leading us towards a climax, obviously because almost all books need a climax, but not just one in the plot, but one in the lives of those in this novel. A climax or turning point in which the world gets better and is not ruled by a dictator and changed from the “old ways”. I enjoyed having Patrick Hicks speak to us. He opened new avenues of thinking about this novel. I would love to take his class to learn more about 1984, though I’m sure we will get more in-depth about it as we progress through the novel and the year.
Professor Hicks really brought personality and understanding into the story of 1984. What I'd read up until his lecture didn't really influence me. I didn't really care. After learning about the author and all he'd gone through, my thoughts on the book changed dramatically. It really made me care about the book. There's not much in the book I don't understand. I understand that Winston's wishing he lived in a different time, whether he himself realizes it or not. I relate with him the need to write to get expression out, even though sometimes you still feel like screaming. It's an evil utopia he lives in, and somehow he needs to escape it. His diary is the perfect escape and the perfect dive - to us - into a world that we can't really comprehend. Going through his diary, even though he doubts in his mind who's going to read it, or even if someone will read it, is important to him. He's telling someone what's going on and how it's wrong, even if he doesn't know he's talking to me! Even if he doesn't know he's talking to you! He simply refers to it as the future, whether there will be anyone in the future to write it to whom will understand. I think that Winston is very brave in that world, whereas to us writing a simple diary is no big deal.
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