Read the article in the link below and then respond to the following questions in a blog post-

How is the story in the article a representation of some ideas communicated by Orwell in 1984?

Who could you compare Litvinenko with in the novel?

Please identify and explain another contemporary comparison of this type, to Orwell’s 1984?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pictured-alexander-litvinenkos-photo-used-5053807

Look carefully at the map below-

 

Orwell provides us with a description of Oceania, do you think that Eastasia and Eurasia have societies and government that are very different to Oceania. Why or why not?

Why do you think Orwell decided to set the novel in Oceania rather than in Eastasia or Eurasia?

What other comments can you make up the map and power structures/alliances in 1984? Do they reflect any political context at the time Orwell wrote the novel?

Read the document below for some (but not complete) clarification on the differences between the two-

Then in a post justify why 1984 is an example of satire rather than parody.

Parody and Satire

Read The Guardian article and then answer the questions in a blog post-

Satire and Charlie Hebdo

Who is culpable here; the cartoonist and the Charlie Hebdo editors for not having enough awareness of their target audience (and its connection to their purpose) or those in the audience who have not taken enough responsibility for their personal reception of the text?

What does this article reveal to you about using satire?

Do you think that Orwell is effective in his use of satire in 1984? Explain why or why not? (consider the novels reception not just now but closer to the time of publication).

1. Watch the news item in the link below from CNN about developments with facebook.

Respond to the following prompts in a post;

With these new developments and the growing data and information that is collected and owned by the organisation, what does the presenter suggest facebook could do with it? Do you think this is something we should be concerned about in regards to our privacy and liberties? Why or why not? Or is this something that you and society at large is now accustomed to and comfortable with?

http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tech/2015/11/11/facebook-launches-new-photo-scanning-feature-burke-liveshot-wrn.cnn

 

2. Now read the following material from The Guardian about the PRISM Surveillance Program-

NSA Files Decoded (copy and paste the link and then click on the file)-

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/the-nsa-files

After or during your reading, respond to the following questions:

– Why do you think the Snowden Case has been linked to the ideas, themes and genre of Orwell’s 1984?

– Do you predict/think that the context has changed all that much since Orwell wrote the novel in 1949? Consider the similarities and differences.

(http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1949.html)

– Is there any risk in believing that this level of surveillance is normal, to be expected in today’s society and we should feel comfortable with it? Why or why not?

– How do you feel about the whistle-blower Edward Snowden? (if you can locate the film and you have time to watch it, I encourage you to do this first, it will be a very useful source for reading the Orwell novel).

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-nsa-surveillance-puts-george-orwells-1984-on-bestseller-lists-20130611-story.html

Take a look at the following and then provide two of your own examples of dystopian representations/stories in a response post-

Manifestos Presentation by MarcusFelsman on Scribd

Manifesto Examples by MarcusFelsman on Scribd

Unabomber Manifesto by MarcusFelsman on Scribd

Full 35,000 word text that appeared in the Washington post on Friday 22nd September 1995-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/unabomber/manifesto.text.htm

 

Analysing Speeches

Language and Social Identity Paper (1)

Discussion: Respond to the following in a blog post-

– How has language been used to exert power and influence? Provide some examples.

– Provide examples where the continuation of language has been deliberately avoided? What are the reasons and outcomes of these decisions and situations?

– Are there examples when people change the vocabulary they use and the way they sound intentionally? Provide examples.

– According to the article how does language influence belonging?

– What relationship does language (especially vocabulary and accent) have with membership to groups?

 

The non translatable-

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20141216-ten-untranslatable-words

Does Language Influence Identity and Culture