1984, was written by George Orwell in 1948 and published in 1949. This bleakly dystopian novel about the dangers of totalitarianism, warns against a world governed by propaganda, surveillance, and censorship. Today, phrases like “Big Brother” and “doublespeak” have become common expressions, as has the word “Orwellian,” which is used to decribe anything related to or similar to Orwell’s bleak writings. Read a character analysis of Winston Smith, the plot summary, and important quotes. 

Characters

See a complete list of the characters in 1984 and in-depth analyses of Winston Smith, Julia, O’Brien, Big Brother, Mr. Charrington, and Emmanuel Goldstein.

Literary Devices

Here's where you'll find analysis of the literary devices in 1984, from the major themes to motifs, symbols, and more.

Essays

Get ready to ace your 1984 paper with our suggested essay topics, helpful essays about historical and literary context, a sample A+ student essay, and more.

Further Study

Go further in your study of 1984 with background information on George Orwell and the novel, movie adaptations, and links to resources on the web, and suggestions for further reading.

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