Overview:
A webquest project uses the resources of the Internet to explore and answer questions pertaining to a particular topic. We are going to explore the background of 1984. This webquest was designed to be used as a pre and post reading activity for the novel and combines the traditional elements of literature with the use of technology in order to meet Student NETS and Michigan Common Core State Standards.
You will soon begin reading the novel 1984 by George Orwell. In preparation, it is extremely important that you gain the necessary background information in order to understand certain situations within the plot. We are going to explore 1984's themes and how they have and continue to affect our society. Orwell's 1984 provides thought-provoking material that deals with themes of totalitarianism, manipulation of language, propaganda, isolation, government invasion of personal privacy, social class disparity, government control, loss of individuality, and abuse of power just to name a few.
Task:
Part I requires you to explore Web sites on various topics related to the 1984. You will be given a selection of web sites related to these issues from which to choose.
Part II will require you to gather information about one of the themes in 1984. You will need to gather and print at least three sources to be used later as research for an essay.
Process:
Explore these sites for information about the themes that George Orwell presents in 1984. For this part of the webquest, you will be responsible for handing in your answers to the questions that accompany each topic.
For Part I, which will be completed before reading the novel, click on the links below and answer the questions to help you understand some of the Orwell's historical basis for the novel.
Part II will be completed after the unit and requires you to explore one of the themes in 1984 that is occurring today.
The culminating assessment for this unit will be to write a compare and contrast essay that discusses how that topic is used/shown in 1984 with a similar issue in today’s modern world.
Part I: Background for 1984
Topic I: About the Author
In order to fully appreciate 1984, and its themes, it is important to know a little about the author, George Orwell, who led an incredibly interesting life that led to his inspiration for his various novels.
2. On page two, the biography discusses Orwell’s different experiences in Spain and Burma, which forever affected his political views? How does he feel about Communism and Imperialism? Socialism?
3. On page three, we learn about the publication of one of his most widely read titles Animal Farm. On what do many speculate he based this book?
4. After the success of Animal Farm, he published 1984, which most consider to be his best novel. When was it published? What true political parties inspired this novel? Against what political state does Orwell warn against in 1984? When did he die?
2. On page two, the biography discusses Orwell’s different experiences in Spain and Burma, which forever affected his political views? How does he feel about Communism and Imperialism? Socialism?
3. On page three, we learn about the publication of one of his most widely read titles Animal Farm. On what do many speculate he based this book?
4. After the success of Animal Farm, he published 1984, which most consider to be his best novel. When was it published? What true political parties inspired this novel? Against what political state does Orwell warn against in 1984? When did he die?
Topic II: Totalitarianism
Government control is arguably the most important theme in 1984 and is so intense that readers might have trouble finding the plot believable. However, you should know that he based the government in his novel on truth, so it's important to have some historical background.
Government control is arguably the most important theme in 1984 and is so intense that readers might have trouble finding the plot believable. However, you should know that he based the government in his novel on truth, so it's important to have some historical background.
5. What is totalitarianism?
6. Who coined this term? When?
7. What are at least three examples of of totalitarian governments in the first half of the 20th century (1900-1950)?
8. How did Stalin transform the Russian economy as part of his five year plan?
9. What are at least three of the ways Russian's totalitarian state controlled people and the media?
10. What was Mussolini's totalitarian government party called?
11. What are at least three of the ways Mussolini's party controlled people and the media?
12. What was Mussolini's well-known slogan?
13. When did the purges occur and why?
14. What percent of the communist party membership was purged?
15. Why did his purges of the military backfire with Finland and the Germans?
Topic III: Infringement Upon Privacy From the very first chapter of 1984, readers should be startled by the systematic infringement upon characters' privacy, even in their homes and in their thoughts. However, all Americans should be aware of certain privacy issues affecting our Constitutional rights. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security." What do you think?
16. When and why was the Patriot Act passed?17. What are some of the ways in which the Patriot Act contradicts and supersedes the Constitution? In particular, which amendments does this report say the Patriot Act violates?
18. What do supporters of the act say are its benefits? Why are critics so outraged?
Topic IV: Propaganda
In 1984, you will quickly see that propaganda plays a large role. As you read, you might ask yourself, "How is it possible that people in this society buy into these ridiculous concepts?" However, George Orwell based many of the themes in his novels on true events in history, and propaganda is no exception.
19. What is propaganda? Using definitions 2 and 3, paraphrase the definition.
20. Describe how much the Nazi seats in the German parliament changed from 1928 through 1932.
21. How does the narrator of this movie say that the Nazi’s where able to gain popularity so quickly? How did the Nazis implement marketing to different groups?
22. After 1933-1934, the Nazis implemented the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda as part of their governmental cabinet. What was the goal of this ministry? What did they control?
23. How did the Ministry aim the Nazi propaganda at Jews? For what were they blamed?
24. Why did Hitler believe so strongly in the spoken word over the written word?
25. According to the expert in the video, why is this concept important today to American society?
Part II: Exploring 1984's Themes in America Today
For Part II, you will need to gather information about one of the themes below in terms of how that concept is present in modern American society today. You may choose from:
- individuality
- advertising/propaganda
- control of language as a means to control
- privacy
- laws as control
- totalitarian government control
First, you will use Google to search the term and any related words or phrases. Your goal is to find three different sources.
Once you have located a source, you should skim through it to see if it is appropriate (and not too long). If you think the source is beneficial and appropriate, print it. Please be sure that you have all necessary information to cite your source.
Use a highlighter to go through your three printouts to find answers to the following questions. When you are done highlighting important information, you need to write a 7-10 sentence paragraph summarizing your findings about how the theme is present in today's society.
© Copyright 2011 Jennifer Shaw Notice: Educators are free to use this webquest. However, should you choose to alter it for your own purposes, I would appreciate a request. Please email jennifer.lynne.shaw@gmail.com
© Copyright 2011 Jennifer Shaw Notice: Educators are free to use this webquest. However, should you choose to alter it for your own purposes, I would appreciate a request. Please email jennifer.lynne.shaw@gmail.com
