WHAT DOES

ORWELLIAN
MEAN?

1 Warm up

Read the following quotations from the novel 1984 by George Orwell.

"War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength."

"He who controls the past, controls the future. He who controls the present, controls the past."

"The choice of mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind,
happiness is better."

"The best books ... are those that tell you what you know already."

• What do you think each one means?

• Do you agree with them or not? Why?
• What kind of person do you think would say or believe these ideas?

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WHAT DOES ORWELLIAN MEAN?

2 Understanding the introduction

Part A: Number the following sentences from the introduction of the video from 1 to 8. The first one
is done for you.

And one of his most profound insights was the importance that language plays in shaping our thoughts
and opinions. 8

Because his most famous work, the novel 1984, depicts an oppressive society under a totalitarian
4
government, "Orwellian" is often used simply to mean authoritarian.
2
But have you ever stopped to think about what it really means, or why it’s used so often?
7
But he was also deeply concerned with how such ideologies proliferate.

But using the term in this way not only fails to fully convey Orwell’s message, it actually risks doing
precisely what he tried to warn against. 5

If you’ve watched the news or followed politics, chances are you’ve heard the term Orwellian thrown
around in one context or another. 1

Orwell was indeed opposed to all forms of tyranny, spending much of his life fighting against anti-
6
democratic forces of both the left-wing and the right.

The term was named after British author Eric Blair, known by his pen name George Orwell. 3

Watch the video (00:00 - 01:10) to check your answers.

Part B: Now find words in the script from Part A which mean the same as the following.

oppressive
1. dealing with people in a cruel way and not giving them any freedom
totarilarian
2. governing in a way which controls everything that the people do
3. believing that everyone should follow rules given by the people in charge, even if it takes away
their freedom or the rules are unfair authoritarian
tyranny
4. a style of governing which uses power in a cruel and unfair way
proliferate
5. to increase the amount or number of something very quickly
profound
6. showing a great amount of thought and understanding

Do you think you could use any of these words to talk about the ideas in the warm up? Which ones?
Why?

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WHAT DOES ORWELLIAN MEAN?

3 Focus on vocabulary

Part A: Match the vocabulary to the definitions.

1. detain (v) a. a disgusting and usually violent act

2. undermine (v) b. a gentle word or a phrase used to mean something else

that is awkward or difficult to talk about, often used with
the subjects of sex and death
3. crudely (adv.) c. having many possible levels of meaning

4. nuanced (adj.) d. in a way that is simple and shows little skill or care

5. psyche (n) e. the deep feelings and thoughts of a person

6. cognitive dissonance (n) f. the state of having beliefs or thoughts that are not
supported by the evidence of reality
7. atrocity (n) g. to make something not as strong or not as effective

8. euphemism (n) h. to prevent someone from leaving an official place, such

as a police station, a prison or a hospital

Part B: Put the vocabulary from Part A into the correct gap in the following sentences. You may have
to change the form of the word.

detained
1. Reports are coming in that suspected terrorists have been at London’s Heathrow
airport.
2. The former warlord is being held by police and is thought to be responsible for a number of
atrocities
during the 1980s when thousands of people in the area were killed or injured.
3. Believing that the President is a great guy and just wants the best for everyone requires some
cognitive dissonance
serious .
4. Reading about the horrors of the Second World War had a deeply disturbing effect on my
psyche
. I couldn’t sleep for weeks.
crudely
5. The only thing to sit on in his room was a -made wooden chair that looked as
though it might collapse at any moment.
undermines
6. I hate it when my mother makes fun of me in front of my kids. It really my
authority.
7. The critics praised the actor’s nuanced performance, saying it truly showcased the character’s
complex personality.
8. My father was never comfortable with me having a boyfriend and only referred to him using
euphemisms
, like "your special friend" and "your suitor".

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WHAT DOES ORWELLIAN MEAN?

Now in pairs, answer the following questions.

1. What could be a reason for the authorities to detain you in your country?
2. Can you give an example of an atrocity that has happened anywhere in the world in history?
3. What euphemisms do people use in your native language to talk about adult topics? Can you
translate the meaning?
4. Do you like books and films that are nuanced, or do you prefer them to be more self-explanatory?
Why?
5. What activities have the most positive effect on your psyche?
6. Which famous people, or people you know, have shown cognitive dissonance in their words and
actions?
7. Has anyone ever tried to undermine your relationship with someone else? What happened?
8. Do you think it’s important to wear fine and elegant clothing, or are you happy to wear clothes
that are made quite crudely?

4 Comprehension

Watch the rest of the video (01:10 - 05:16) and answer the following questions.

1. How does Oceania control its population?

a. Through constant observation, threat and propaganda.

b. With its military forces who have supreme power.
c. Using religion to manipulate the will of the people.
d. With money and huge rewards for those who are most loyal.

2. What is the meaning of "doublespeak"?

a. Words which have more than one meaning, so they are confusing.
b. Words which must be repeated to show their importance.
c. Words which are the opposite to their real meaning.
d. Words which only people in power are able to use.

3. What is the effect of "Newspeak"?

a. Citizens are constantly informed about what is happening.

b. It limits language and therefore critical thinking.
c. Adjectives and adverbs are not used by the citizens.
d. Citizens don’t communicate with each other.

4. What is the combined effect of all this on the psyche of individuals?

a. They don’t have true freedom, but they are mostly happy.
b. The majority of the population are depressed and scared.
c. Many people use drugs to cope with their lives.
d. They must embrace the government’s version of reality.

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5. Where does Orwell warn us this type of government control can happen?

a. In totalitarian governments.
b. In authoritarian governments.
c. In democratic governments.
d. In all of the above.

6. In his essay "Politics and the English Language", what does Orwell talk about?

a. The danger of the media working together with government.

b. How language can be used to prevent people from thinking and questioning.
c. The way politicians can use language to say the opposite of what they mean.
d. The threat posed by trusting the media and their manipulation of reality.

7. So, what is the real meaning of "Orwellian"?

a. A government that acts in an authoritarian way.

b. An idea which challenges or is unacceptable to you.
c. A government which controls every detail of its people’s lives.
d. Language which is used to deceive and manipulate.

8. Why did Orwell say we must protect our language?

a. It gives us freedom from being controlled.

b. Because without it, we can’t express our thoughts.
c. Because it can be used to control politics.
d. Without it, there will be only war and no peace.

5 Synonyms

Look at the following sentences and choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in bold.

1. The threat of what happens to those who step out of line is always looming overhead.

a. watching
b. drifting
c. approaching

2. The population is inundated with a constant stream of facts and statistics.

a. overwhelmed by
b. exhausted by
c. desperate for

3. Andrew was compelled to accept the offer.

a. told
b. forced
c. asked

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4. One may be found guilty of thoughtcrime by talking in their sleep, and keeping a diary or having a
love affair equals a subversive act.

a. secret
b. criminal
c. rebellious

5. Her writing was full of pretentious words to project an intellect she didn’t have.

a. showy
b. difficult
c. unreal

6. The essay was full of convoluted sentence structures.

a. unusual
b. complicated
c. incorrect

7. He was thought of by his colleagues as quite a deceptive person.

a. dishonest
b. capable
c. stupid

8. The government was increasing its use of mass surveillance.

a. technology
b. control
c. observation

6 Talking point

In pairs, discuss the following questions.

1. Have you read 1984? If not, would you be interested in reading it now? Why/Why not? If so,
what was your opinion of it?
2. Do you think freedom and happiness are different things? Why/Why not?
3. Do you agree with George Orwell that the language of politics and advertising can affect the way
you think and behave? Why/Why not? Can you give any examples?
4. If you could talk to the leader of your country, what questions would you have about the way they
govern?

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