1984

ONE: CHAPTERS 1-2

IRONY AND MOTIFS

Authors write for a variety of reasons. Some texts intend to inform the reader of specific factual
information, some try to persuade the reader of a particular position, and many fictional books just seek
to entertain the reader. While Orwell's 7984 is fictional, it also acts as the author's warning against the
governments. Whereas utopian settings portray a perfect world, dystopian societies
perils of totalitarian
display cultures dominated by deprivation, oppression, and terror which typically result from corrupt or
totalitarian governments. Dystopias are frequently composed as satires to warn readers of what could
occur if current conditions are stretched to frightful ends. To this end, the author employs irony and
specific motifs to set the mood of this dystopian society.

Irony creates a contrast between what is expected or appears to be and what actually occurs. To set the
stage for a dystopian society, Orwell employs several examples of irony.

Part One: Irony

Directions: For each example below, indicate what the reader might expect and the actual meaning or
outcome in the novel so far. An example has been completed for you.

Example Expected Meaning or Outcome Actual Meaning or Outcome

10 expecZ Zo be someUu•n
Ilke a church or a place An acyencj
Ministry of Love
law and order Utr-ou II

force and fear

I guess it's a place like a

Ministry of Truth
church where you can tell Busy with news,
the truth about something. entertainment, education
and art.
A place you can relax like Busy with war.
Ministry of Peace a spa or library.

A place for supply. Any Busy with economic affair

Ministry of Plenty kind of supply, food,
clothes, money, etc.

People escaping by boats. A violent war.

Film of refugees in a boat

Winston's opinion of his work-

He likes it because he A filthy place that somehow he enjoys.
can work without any
place issues.
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 How do the examples of irony in the chart disarm the reader and alert him/ her to the novel's dystopian setting?

The examples of irony in the chart that disarm the reader and alert them to the novel's
dystopian setting are about how the buildings work. If in the real world peace is a good
thing, in the novel it's a bad thing.

Part Two: Motifs

Motifs are recurring objects or content in a literary work. When creating the society of 7 984, Orwell
incorporates the motif of urban decay, or the breakdown of society, either literally or figuratively.

Directions: Complete the bubble map below with examples of urban decay from Part One: Chapters One and Two.
Draw more bubbles ifyou can provide more examples. An example has been completed for you.

elevators dont work

Paint peeling on walls se.lAom
vJorkeA in

Mansions

smell of cabbage in halls roting and bombed

buildings
EXAMPLES OF
URBAN DECAY

hallways smell like rats bad eletricity and

plumbing
party cares about
power, not people

How does 1984's motif of urban decay act as a warning against totalitarian governments?

The 1984's motif of urban decay acts as a warning against totalitarian goverment
because the goverment doesn't really care about the people. They care about power
and don't grant any freedom.

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