Ch 1: 1984 Literary & Historical Context

About This Chapter

The Literary and Historical Context chapter of this 1984 Study Guide course is the most efficient way to study the history and events that impacted the book. This chapter uses simple and fun videos that are about five minutes long, plus includes lesson quizzes and a chapter exam to ensure you understand the essential concepts associated with the literary and historical context of '1984.'

Who's It For?

Anyone who needs help learning or mastering the historical and literary context of this novel will benefit from the lessons in this chapter. There is no faster or easier way to learn about the events surrounding and setting in which the book was written. Among those who would benefit are:

  • Students who want to learn a broad topic in a short amount of time
  • Students who are looking for easy ways to identify the most important information on the topic
  • Students who have fallen behind in memorizing 1984's context in history and literature
  • Students who prefer multiple ways of learning literature (visual or auditory)
  • Students who have missed class time and need to catch up
  • Students who have limited time to study for an upcoming exam

How It Works:

  • Watch each video in the chapter to review all key topics.
  • Refer to the video transcripts to reinforce your learning.
  • Test your understanding of each lesson with a short quiz.
  • Complete your review with the 1984 Literary and Historical Context chapter exam.

Why It Works:

  • Study Efficiently: The lessons in this chapter cover only information you need to know.
  • Retain What You Learn: Engaging animations and real-life examples make topics easy to grasp.
  • Be Ready on Test Day: Take the 1984 Literary and Historical Context chapter exam to make sure you're prepared.
  • Get Extra Support: Ask our subject-matter experts any 1984 question. They're here to help!
  • Study With Flexibility: Watch videos on any web-ready device.

Students Will Review:

This chapter summarizes the material students need to know about historical and literary surrounding events for a standard literature course. Topics covered include:

  • Time period in which 1984 was written
  • Reasons Orwell wrote the novel
  • Genre of the book
  • Comparisons to Brave New World and Animal Farm
  • Books and movies similar to 1984

9 Lessons in Chapter 1: 1984 Literary & Historical Context
Test your knowledge with a 30-question chapter practice test
When Was 1984 Written?

1. When Was 1984 Written?

Written in 1949, the classic novel by George Orwell, titled 1984, explores themes such as communism, totalitarianism, and a dystopian future. Explore the historical context of when George Orwell wrote his classic book about the extreme overreach of a fictional authoritarian and oppressive governement.

Why George Orwell Wrote 1984

2. Why George Orwell Wrote 1984

This lesson discusses George Orwell and his dystopian novel, 1984, with particular focus on Orwell's views on the world and how they contributed to his writing.

Genre of 1984

3. Genre of 1984

George Orwell's 1984 is one of the most famous novels that imagines a world where the government controls everyone and everything, propping up an endless war and keeping close surveillance over its citizens. Readers may wonder exactly what genre of writing 1984 falls under. Read on to learn more about 1984, including how readers might categorize its genre!

1984 vs. Brave New World: Comparison

4. 1984 vs. Brave New World: Comparison

A comparison of the dystopian novels, 1984 and Brave New World reveals the use of psychology by the government to control the population either through fear or pleasure, or soma. Compare the dystopian societies described in the stories, including how the respective governments controlled individuals and dealt with dissidents.

Animal Farm and 1984 Comparison

5. Animal Farm and 1984 Comparison

George Orwell was known for dystopian fiction. Explore a comparison of two of Orwell's most famous novels, ''1984'' and ''Animal Farm,'' to see how Orwell interpreted events in the mid-20th century and their potential consequences.

Books Like 1984

6. Books Like 1984

Dystopian novels are exciting to read. You can get caught up in the drama and conflict (there's usually some violence). But books like ''1984'' force us to look critically at our lives, and to think deeply about the future. In this lesson, you'll learn about some other books like 1984.

Movies Like 1984

7. Movies Like 1984

Learn about the genre of science fiction and the sub-genre of dystopian films. Delve into the breadth and diversity of films like ''Nineteen Eighty-four'' that imagine terrible futures, the power of technology, and the fate of humanity.

1984 Lesson Plan

8. 1984 Lesson Plan

Educate your students about the novel 1984 by George Orwell. Students will read two text lessons, take two related follow-up quizzes, and participate in two activities to reinforce major concepts.

1984 Project Ideas

9. 1984 Project Ideas

'1984' is a book by George Orwell written in the 1940s. It is about an imagined future that takes the form of a dystopian society. Use the projects in this asset to bring meaning to the story after reading this book.

Chapter Practice Exam
Test your knowledge of this chapter with a 30 question practice chapter exam.
Not Taken
Practice Final Exam
Test your knowledge of the entire course with a 50 question practice final exam.
Not Taken
More Exams
There are even more practice exams available in 1984 Literary & Historical Context.

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