1984 Text Pairings by

Introduction to Dystopian Novels

jangele7 — 2023-10-02 17:40:21 UTC

I would introduce this text before students begin to read 1984, in order to provide them with some background on the genre of dystopian fiction. After reading the text, students will consider the characteristics of dystopian fiction and discuss their own connections to the world they live in.

Before reading "1984"

jangele7 — 2023-10-02 18:54:15 UTC

"The Pedestrian" would be a good short story to pair with "1984" after introducing dystopian fiction because Bradbury explores dystopian themes of nonconformity and technological dehumanization. Here, students would be prompted to think about the pros and cons of technological advancements and Mead's individualism.

After Chapter 2: Part 1 (Historical Comparison)

tmthomso — 2023-10-03 20:33:35 UTC

In chapter 2 of 1984, we see how children are influenced by The Party. This short reading about a child in Germany during 1933 will be used to draw parallels between the children in 1984 and in history.

After Chapter 2: Part 2 (Historical Comparison)

tmthomso — 2023-10-03 20:56:16 UTC

Students will only read the first three paragraphs of the article. That will be enough to make connections between the Party's "brainwashing" of children in 1984 and the U.S. government's efforts to assimilate Indigenous youth into American culture using education.

After Reading "1984" Informational Text

jangele7 — 2023-10-04 17:00:23 UTC

After reading "1984", students will watch Apple's Macintosh Commercial 1984 before reading this article to help them draw connections between the article and today's concern of "cancel culture" promoting Orwellian beliefs. This article will prompt students to discuss the consequences for people who don't comply with narratives promoted by the media, academia, and elites. Here, students will be able to compare/contrast how Oceania and today's nations deal with nonconformity.

Before Part III: Making Connections

tmthomso — 2023-10-07 21:19:18 UTC

Students will individually analyze quotes from Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and 1984 in their notebooks. Students will then be numbered by four to form groups. Then, they will make connections between 1984 and Brave New World with their group--written within 15 years of each other.

1984 Apple Commercial

tmthomso — 2023-10-20 00:37:29 UTC

Students will predict the characteristics of a dystopian society by making observations during the 1984 Apple Macintosh Commercial.

What "Orwellian" Really Means

tmthomso — 2023-10-21 17:37:18 UTC

Introduction to Orwellian characteristics

About the author

jangele7 — 2023-10-21 19:20:03 UTC