Chapter 1

Info

• page: 3-21
• place: London in Oceania, Winston's flat on the seventh floor of the tenement "Victory Mansions" (p. 3, l. 5)
• time: 4th of April 1984 in the morning
• people: Winston, Julia, O'Brien, Emmanuel Stein

Content

• The novel begins with Winston Smith, the 39-year-old protagonist of the novel returning to his flat. The worker, who lives in London, works in the Ministry of Truth
• The narrator informs us that due to the upcoming "Hate Week" (p. 3, l. 16), electricity is out in many parts of the city. That is why the lift in Winston's stairwell does not work either
• London is situated in the state of Oceania, one of the three new world states. In addition to Oceania, there are also the states of Eurasia and East Asia. All three states are at war with each other
• The ruling government is the "Ingsoc" (p. 4, l. 25 f.) party, a socialist party led by "Big Brother" (p. 3, l. 22). The "Ingsoc" (p. 4. l. 25 f.) party conducts the "Two-Minutes-Hate" (p. 13, l. 6) several times a day for the citizens of Oceania, a kind of diatribe that is broadcasted on screens and in which all citizens of Oceania must participate
• The "Two-Minutes-Hate" (p. 13, l. 6) is directed against the supposed opportunist Emmanuel Goldstein as well as the entire neighbouring state of Eurasia
• O'Brien, who also works in the Ministry of Truth, appears to Winston as someone who may be questioning the existing system as much as he is. The protagonist is attracted to Julia. She also works in the Ministry, except in another department. Winston also fears that she is in the "Thought Police" (p. 5, l. 4)
• Although Winston is unhappy and horrified by the "Two-Minutes-Hate" (p. 13, l. 6), he cannot show his emotions openly because a camera is integrated into every screen. That means that "Big Brother" (p. 3, l. 22) can watch him wherever he goes
• Fortunately, there is a dead angle in Winston's flat. There, he cannot be observed from the screen. Winston uses this position to secretly write in his diary

Chapter 2

Info

• page: 22-30
• place: Winston's flat on the seventh floor of the tenement "Victory Mansions" (p. 3, l. 5), Mrs Parsons apartment
• time: the next day
• people: Winston, Mrs Parsons

Content

• Winston is helping his neighbour, Mrs Parsons, by taking care of the repair of her kitchen sink in her flat
• Winston is appalled at how hardened Mrs Parsons' children behave when it comes to watching the execution of several opportunists on the telescreen. Overall, the children make a disturbing impression on Winston as they also attack him with their toy guns as well as a slingshot
• After visiting his neighbours, Winston returns to his flat dejected. The thought that Mrs Parson's children may betray their mother to the Thought Police burdens him. These thoughts fuel hatred and anger in Winston against the totalitarian system in which he lives
• In his opinion, it is insane how the children are brought up to have loyalty towards the system. It would only be sensible, to educate children on being loyal to their parents instead.
• Although Winston can imagine that he is not the only one who questions the regime's approach, he feels lonely with his thoughts. On the other hand, he worries about the fact that he has already written in his diary and that the thought police might get hold of his lines
• However, the fear of consequences does not prevent him from continuing to write in his diary. For him, writing is like escaping into another world where thoughts can be free and individual. Depressed, he struggles with death in his thoughts