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1.Irony, Language/Logic, Character: The name "Winston" means "from a friendly country." "Smith" is a common last name. From these names, can you suggest a possible irony? Also, consider the association of Winston Smith with Winston Churchill. What similarities do you see between the two? What else do we know about Winston concerning his age, abilities, and occupation?

2. Language/Logic, Theme: What is Newspeak? What is its purpose? Why is it essential for the Party to rid the language of synonyms and antonyms?

3.Theme, Irony/Paradox: How does the Party control history? Why?Plot, Theme: Who is Emmanuel Goldstein and how is he presented to the people of Oceania? What is the probable significance of using the obviously Jewish name?Irony/Paradox: Identify examples of doublethink in Part One. Discuss examples of doublethink from recent history.

4.Character: In what ways are Julia and Winston alike? In what ways are they different?

5.Theme: Why does the party permit couples to marry but discourage love?Plot: O’Brien asks Winston and Julia what they are willing to do for the Brotherhood. What are they willing to do? (pp. 142-143) What is the one thing they are unwilling to do? What types of things does O’Brien tell them they might have to face as members of the Brotherhood?Irony/Paradox: Julia tells Winston that even though the Party can torture a person and make him say anything, they cannot make him believe it. How do you feel about this statement? How easy is it to brainwash a person? Do you think governments actually use brainwashing? Discuss.

6..Plot: Why are the three superpowers always at war according to the Brotherhood’s handbook?

7. Point of View: Write a diary entry from Julia's point of view (or O'Brien's or Parsons).

8.Language/Logic: The doublethink concepts of "ignorance is strength" and "war is peace" are discussed in the book of the Brotherhood. Outline the argument of the doublethink concepts. Discuss why the Party’s conclusions are ironic. Theme: On page 169, Winston reads from Goldsmith’s book that "The invention of print, however, made it easier to manipulate public opinion." Explore the history of using print to influence opinion.

9.Theme: Explore the symbolic significance of the clock, the paperweight, the song the prole woman sings, and the nursery rhyme about the bells.

10. Character, Irony/Paradox: How does Parsons feel about being imprisoned as a result of his own daughter reporting him for thoughtcrime? Theme, Plot: Before Winston is interrogated, he sees many prisoners escorted off to Room 101. From their reactions, he gathers the room is extremely unpleasant. What is in Room 101?

11. Plot: When and in what way does Winston betray Julia?

12. Plot: Why does O’Brien say prisoners are brought to the Ministry of Love?

13. Theme, Irony/Paradox: How does Winston ultimately feel about Big Brother? Theme: Who wrote Goldstein's book? If it was the Party, then why? Discuss

14. Language/Logic, Irony/Paradox: What is ironic about the Chestnut Tree Café? The significance of the Chestnut Tree is revealed on page 241. Write an essay explaining your interpretation of the final lines of the song about the Chestnut Tree. What, for example, is the meaning of the word "lies?" As an alternative exercise, you might want to illustrate the final scene in the café.

Questions sourced from Teachervision.com