1984

Midterm:  1984

For our course midterm, you will be discussing our assigned novel, George Orwell's 1984. The purpose of our midterm is to test your knowledge of key details and plot events in the novel, as well as its various themes. In order to successfully complete this assignment, you will need to have read through the entirety of Book One (Chapters 1-8).

Overview:

This assignment should be completed in a word processor and uploaded to Canvas. Our Midterm contains two parts: The first part, which is described below, will require you to address a series of short-answer questions. The second part, which has its own assignment portal, requires you to write a short essay. I would like you to use traditional MLA formatting, which includes 12pt Times New Roman, one-inch margins, proper page headers, etc. For the document title, simply write, "Midterm."

The first section will be composed of ten short-answer questions that gauge your knowledge of the novel's events and characters. These questions will require a minimum of 75 words each. 

Midterm Assignment, Part 1: Short Answer Responses

Please copy/paste the following questions into your document and answer each question with a short paragraph (minimum 75 words). Individual responses will be graded on a scale of 1-5 for each completed response. Some questions contain multiple parts, and you are expected to address each part in order to earn full credit, so please read the questions carefully. For additional details, see the rubric at the end of this assignment sheet.

1. What is the purpose of the Two Minutes Hate? Consider the content of the event itself, as well as its intended impact on the citizens of Airstrip One. Cite a specific passage from the novel to support your description of the event (include page numbers)

2. Who are the Junior Spies, and what purpose do they serve in Oceania? Where does Winston first encounter "the Spies" in the novel, and why does he react the way that he does? Be specific.

3. Who is Comrade Ogilvy? How does this character help us better understand both the nature of Winston’s work and the manner by which the Party governs its people?

4. What is the objective of Newspeak, and how does it differ from Oldspeak? Cite a specific passage from the novel that clearly conveys the objective of Newspeak.

5. On page 81 (eBook PDF), Winston muses, “Your worst enemy ... was your own nervous system.” What is the meaning of this statement, and what specific policies (and punishments) is Winston alluding to? Be specific.

6. Summarize the Party's attitude toward romantic relationships and marriage. How did this impact Winston’s relationship with his own spouse? Provide cited evidence from the text to support your answer.

7. In Chapter 7, we learn about the Chestnut Tree Café and three noteworthy individuals who were seen there. Summarize the circumstances surrounding this location and the the story behind these individuals. What does this event reveal about the Party?

8. Why, according to Winston, does hope lie with the Proles? Briefly describe their role in Oceania, and cite a specific passage from the text that explains his reasoning.

9. Explain the significance of Mr. Charrington's shop in the first part of the novel. Why is this place so important to Winston? Explain.

10. At the start of Book 1, we are introduced to two characters: The dark-haired girl and O'Brien. In a brief paragraph, summarize Winston's interactions with these characters throughout Part 1 of the novel. How does he view each of these characters? Provide a cited example for both.

Due Date 

Part One of your midterm assignment must be submitted to this Canvas assignment portal no later than 11:59pm on Friday, October 22nd. Part 2, the essay portion, should be submitted to a separate portal by 11:59pm on Sunday, October 24th. 

Grading

Each section will be worth 50 points. Section One will have ten short answer questions worth 5 points each, and Section Two will have a single short essay question worth 50 points.

Short answers will be graded on a scale of 1-5 (unanswered questions will not receive credit). In order to receive full credit, answers must be original and well-developed, and I will be taking the following points into consideration:

1. Does the response fully address the question?

2. Does the response demonstrate an adequate understanding of the reading?

3. Does the response incorporate specific information and/or cited evidence, if required?

4. Does the response meet the 75-word minimum requirement?

5. Is the response clearly written?

A Word on Plagiarism: Please be advised that any responses containing plagiarized material, which includes copy/pasted descriptions from online study guides or summaries, will not receive credit. Your responses to each of the questions (including the essay prompt) must be original efforts, demonstrating your progress in the novel and your understanding of the content therein.

As always, if you have any questions, please let me know.