1. When Winston kisses Julia, he feels "incredulity and pride ... but he had no physical desire." Why do you think he feels this way? What does it reveal about why he needs Julia?

2. Who was comrade Ogilvy, and what was he like? How did he supposedly die?

3. What is the significance is behind Winston's dream about his mother? How might she have died?

4. Look up the word "comrade" up in a dictionary. Why do you think everyone in Oceania is supposed to call each other comrade?

5. How would you have reacted to the note? What would you have done differently, and why?

6. Why doesn't Winston kill the girl with the dark hair? Who else doesn't he kill for very similar reasons?

7. Why will no Party woman wear perfume?

8. What do the Parsons children want to go see in Part 1, Chapter 2? What do you think of them?

9. Doublethink is believing that something is true when you know it is false. Do you really think that doublethink is possible? Can you find any examples of doublethink in the real world?

10. What attracts Julia to Winston? Why is this attractive or necessary to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In essay format, discuss how you would have ended the story of Winston Smith. Be sure to explain:

1) Why you feel it is necessary to change the ending.

2) The insight into human nature that your ending would provide.

3) What you would have done if you were in Winston's shoes.

Essay Topic 2

The slogan of the Oceania's government is "WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH." Any act of independent thought, even writing a diary, are punishable by death. Explain the difference between life in America and life in Oceania. Are there any similarities? In your conclusion, write about some ways in which the American people can ensure that future governments do not abuse citizens like in Nineteen-Eighty-Four.

Essay Topic 3

Winston has a terrible fear of pain. He hates it more than anything else and is willing to do almost anything in order to avoid pain. Write an essay on pain, and Winston's experience with it. Be sure to cover:

1) How pain influences Winston throughout the book.

2) Possible reasons why Winston fears pain so much.

3) Possible ways that Winston could have controlled his fear of pain.

4) How your attitude towards pain is similar or different to that of Winston.

(see the answer keys)

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