How does this text create meaning and representation - 1984 George Orwell (15 marks)

 At the beginning of the extract, Orwell starts off with an introduction of both the scene and the protagonist. The pathetic fallacy of 'a bright cold day in April' creates a fragmented and uncomfortable tone that continues through the extract. This discomfort is further supported with a broadened version of 'the clocks were striking thirteen'. This is a paradox, as a clock cannot strike thirteen, but, by using a number considered unlucky creates a foreshadow of misfortune that may come further in the story, creating enigma, making the reader curious and want to read on. As well as the setting, the character of Winston Smith is immediately introduced as he 'slipped quickly'. The dynamic verb 'slipped' paired with the adverb of manner 'quickly' suggests something illegal about his actions, as though he is avoiding detection, creating curiosity around the character which convinces the reader to continue reading.

Further in the extract, a large poster depicting a man 'with a heavy black moustache'. This creates a pragmatic idea of Stalin and communist Russia, perhaps suggesting that the society in the book is similar to the one created by the Russian leader. This phrase would be descriptive, however, values over time have changed, allowing many people to associate a large black moustache with Stalin, making the phrase evaluative. The relative clause 'who was thirty-nine' further introduces especially since, further in the complex sentence it says '[Winston] went slowly, resting several times on the way'. Although it doesn't directly say, the reader can infer that the protagonist is disabled or cannot walk much evoking sympathy from the reader.

Nearing the end of the extract the bracketed ('the telescreen, it was called') is very conversational as if he's talking to the audience personally, creating a sense of an informal relationship between them. The use of modal verbs like 'would' and 'could' throughout the extract creates a sense of uncertainty and fear is created, presenting Winston as cautious, perhaps for good reason. As well as this, the use of second-person pronouns ('you') shares the viewpoint with the reader and allows them to be immersed, creating their own fear and comfort rather than getting it through the characters. Also the use of 'Though Police' is the use of juxtapositioning and creates a specific idea that now, due to this book, is iconic. The inventive proper noun 'Thought' capitalised is an abstract noun but it is represented as a proper/concrete noun as though thoughts are able to be held and paired with 'Police', captured. The words feel uncomfortable together and suggest that it is an uncomfortable concept in the book. It creates ideas of violation as though things that you think can be prosecuted.

Teacher Comments: A particularly competent response at this stage of the course. Your sense of context is sophisticated - at points extend and deepen - ie if you perceive a relationship representation ensure you also identify it as formal or informal. For the introduction include more GAMP. A grade (21/25)

A01: 8/10

A03: 13/15

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Evaluate the idea that some accents and dialects are viewed more favourably than others

  Accent, the distinctive way of speaking in a language, and dialect, the actual words in the language that people speak, is influential in certain situations in society with some being viewed as more favourable than others. These differ from different regions across the UK and are influenced by the media, social groups and gender which correlate to create a certain favourability of the way people speak.   The media plays a vital role in society which can result in certain characteristics in people’s identities and the whole idea of being more favourable can be influenced by the media. The idea of celebrities being celebrated for their accents isn’t a new concept and Susanne Williams says that this celebrity impact has shaped our taste in accents. She says that celebrities like Cheryl Cole, Ant and Dec and Ozzy Osbourne, who all have accents that aren’t viewed as particularly prestigious, have are famous and a lot of it is down to their accent and the way they speak. Both Cher...
Read more

Evaluate the idea that changes in communication technology have had a damaging effect on the English Language

  Although the advancement of technology has been extremely important in our society and, as a society, people have benefitted from th is development, the changes in communication due to technology have had everlasting effects on the English language. The way we speak and the way we write have both been impacted by this sociological change and will greatly impact on society for years to come.   Language, by its nature, isn’t static and, like how Latin was split into French, Italian and Spanish, English is now breaking up into different English’s’ with the advancement of technology.  The language has never been entirely ‘one’ as many seem to believe because from as early as the 1400s, the discovery of America, English has been breaking up and forming its own form of the language. Other examples such as Singlish and Hinglish, of which came from Singapore and India, are their own versions of the English language,  mixed  to allow ease in conversation. However, with...
Read more

How Conservative newspapers use language to describe homosexual people in the 1950s, the 1980s and in recent years.

  Introduction   “That’s so gay” has been   an insult for years,  being  yelled  spitefully  in the playground at primary school to describing an outfit in later years. Bein g homosexual is  considered  insulting and an affront to the heteronormality of our world.  The implication that homosexuality is wrong, immoral and  imprisonable  still rings true in some countries and many hold the opinion that being part of the LGBT community makes you a lesser person.  Despite the offensive  language that has plagued  people's  personal  language , the media, the epitome of standard and precise  English ,  is  a major  part of the problem .   Although the purpose of the media is to inform and educate people, misinformation,  slander,  and all-around upsetting  coverage has  perpetuated newspapers through time.   Newspapers  are commended, approved with high...
Read more