1984

Sample Lesson - Introduction

Lesson 1.07: Julia

Definitely Julia's handwriting.
(Source)

Much like the notable bros we dished about earlier, pop culture also has its share of intriguing "Julias"—Julia Roberts, Julia Child, and our personal favorite, Julia Sugarbaker, that sharp-tongued, high-minded character from Designing Women.

If you're not familiar with that last one, we recommend checking it out—stat. Okay, maybe after today's lesson.

The Julia we meet in 1984 is no exception. She's a beautiful young woman who spent most of Book One following Winston around, giving him the creeps. Can you believe he actually thought she was a member of the Thought Police? She was just in love with him, the poor thing. She has to fall on her face for Winston to get the message—literally. We'd feel sorry for her, but given how dangerous that was for her, we find it pretty daring.

Who knows? She just might live up to the other Julias on our list.

Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.07: A Love Story?

Here's a question for you, Shmoopers. When did this become a love story? Seriously. We went from reading a serious political allegory to a romance novel where lovers pass notes to each other in the halls.

What gives?

This development is confusing on many levels. For one, Winston's not exactly the most attractive character we've ever met—hello, varicose ulcer—yet somehow this young, buxom girl falls in love with him. And never mind that they've never actually spoken—she's in love. Not even just in love, but willing to break the rules in order to profess her feelings and actually meet with the object of her desire. Then there's the revelation that she's done this before, and that it's always ended badly. Why get involved in the first place?

It seems like Winston and Julia are just determined to be together, and who are we to stop them? The Thought Police will do that for us. Chapters I–III of Book Two are going to seem like a welcome break from the monotony and dread of Book One. Finally, Winston has something to live for—and you get to read all about it right now.

Since this is the most reading we've done so far in this course, make sure to check out our summaries in case you missed anything. In the meantime, we'll be over here, learning the best ways to pass notes in class. Who knew there were so many methods?

Sample Lesson - Activity

Activity 1.07a: A Political Act

You might not see the passing of a note as a particularly dangerous act, but in the world of 1984, it's fraught with narrative potential. Are they going to get caught? Is Big Brother watching them? How could the telescreens have missed it? Right up until the scene where Julia and Winston meet in the field, we were convinced they'd be caught by the Thought Police. Instead, they made love. Good for them.

Winston called it "a political act." Let's unpack that.

Write an expository response of 250–300 words examining the clandestine affair as a way of subverting the Party's power, breaking the rules, and clearly doing something taboo. In your responses, think about

• the Party's attitudes toward sex and marriage. Why do they try to limit these? How does Winston's affair with Julia compare to his marriage to Katharine?
• Julia's cavalier attitude toward rule breaking. Clearly, she's done this before, but why? What does it say about her character that she seems to delight in thumbing her nose at Big Brother? Can she be trusted?
• the effect it has on Winston. If we assume that the Party's ultimate goal is to strip citizens of all their humanity, does having an affair constitute the ultimate act of rebellion, or is it just folly?

Example time. Here's how Shmoop's exploration of this topic starts:

In calling his meeting with Julia a "political act," Winston is saying a few different things. By checking out entries in his diary, we've already been made privy to Winston's thoughts and feelings about relationships and desire. His seemingly loveless marriage to Katharine stands in stark contrast to the provocative, clandestine affair with Julia. The very fact that it's so secret likely appeals to Winston's sense of subversion. It's likely this event will end up in the pages of his diary.

Include at least two pieces of textual evidence to support your claims. We realize we're asking you to write about love, but please, spare us the graphic details—as Orwell (mostly) does.

Upload your completed expository piece below.

Sample Lesson - Activity