To what extent does the exploration of human experience in Nineteen Eighty-Four invite you to reconsider your understanding of loneliness? (HSC 2019 – Paper 1 Question)
Through the exploration of human experiences in George Orwell’s dystopic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), it is evident whether knowing one is lonely or not is an arduous task, but the effect of the feeling on an individual’s attitudes and thoughts are largely noticeable.
You've developed a pretty robust thesis here, answering the question. Good job! I'm gonna nitpick here, but there is room to reword and sophisticate the expression of your thesis, just to catch the marker's attention and demonstrate your capacity to express your voice (and possiby get ore marks). However, the current sentence you have right now already hits it, so it's up 2 u xD A feeling of loneliness and isolation cause Winston to dislike Julia from the very first moment of seeing her since he can never establish a long-lasting relationship under the constant surveillance in Oceania. Furthermore, in a desperate attempt to find meaning under a regime aimed to annihilate purpose and meaning in individuals, Winston ultimately rebels by acting on his lust and desire for Julia, caused through his loneliness and isolation from any form of romantic endeavours, as well as through his diary.
You did pretty well in setting up the frameworks of your essay, but I can't help but notice that it sounds a tad bit of narrative-like. Remember, you're not focused on the actual plot per say, rather the ideas you draw upon them, and how they shape your point of view (on loneliness) as the audience. While these sentences do convey this, try to make it sound more analytical rather than retelling the story. Loneliness has also alerted Winston’s attitudes and forced him to find love in objects originating from pre-revolution times, symbolising freedom and creativity not present in the revolutionised Oceania.
' It is through these myriad of experiences that ultimately allows responders to ascertain the pervasive implications of loneliness...' Wrote that sentence on the spot, so I apologise if it's trashy. Link it back to your thesis, and that second part of the question 'invite you to reconsider your understanding of loneliness'. Winston’s hatred towards Julia is a cause of his loneliness from romance rather than by Julia herself. From the very beginning of the novel, it is stated that “Winston had disliked her from the very first moment of seeing her”. The lexical choice of “dislike” creates a neutral feeling of despise as it does not fully convey a feeling of hatred, suggesting a part of Winston likes, or even, loves Julia.
We stan amazing evidence analysis 
) Great Job here! This assumption is satisfied because “he hated her because she was young and pretty and sexless.” The use of “hated” is unusual and contradictory and juxtaposes Winston’s actual feelings for Julia, he hates that he cannot ever get close with her under the totalitarian regime of the Party knowing he’ll be
vapourised vaporised if he were to establish some form of connection with her.
Now here is an example where you sorta need to retell parts of the plot to back up your point. In these cases, try to shorten these plot retell, so the focus is more on the overall textual analysis. The limited third-person narration is effective through the listing of Julia’s traits, “young and pretty and sexless” as it demonstrates Winston’s lustful desires for Julia and his perception of her. The narration offers an insight into Winston’s mind and ultimately puts forth a reason for his hatred by
hi his directly committing what is known as “thoughtcrime”. This refers to thinking anything against the ideologies of the Party. Winston’s hatred also arises from the “odious scarlet sash” Julia wears around her waist. The sash, a representation of the Anti-Sex League, further emphasises Winston’s inability to follow through with any of his desires for Julia whilst also showcasing the contradictory nature of the Party’s regulations. The connotations associated with scarlet, passion and lust, contradicts the idea of the Anti-Sex League, showcasing the Party’s inconsistent nature. The fact that the sash also brings out the “shapeliness of her hips” further contradicts the entire idea of the League as it sparks a sexual desire within Winston, further causing feelings of hatred.
Beautiful analysis. Everything seems to flow pretty well here, and the sentences pack-a-punch! Great job!! Therefore, Winston’s loneliness demonstrates his hatred towards Julia to a large extent very early in the novel.
Hmmm. But what about that second part of the question "invite you to reconsider your understanding of emotion"? You have the evidence, you have the idea, now link it back to the audience, and how our perception changes upon realising Winston's loneliness demonstrates his hatred towards Julia. As a result of his loneliness from Julia, we see Winston begin admiring objects such as the diary and the paperweight.
Hmm, your topic sentence isn't strong enough here. I can see that you're talking about the ramifications of loneliness on the individual perception. So maybe try to word your sentence along those lines? Remember, topic sentences must have that sense of impact, introducing what you're gonna discuss throughout your essay. Try not to incorporate plot retell in your topic sentences too much. These objects hold significant symbolic value within the narrative as they originate from pre-revolutionised times when the Party had no power. This is ultimately what attracts Winston towards the purchase of these items. The diary “had not been manufactured for at least 40 years.” This alludes to the year in which Orwell began writing the novel, highlighting the diary’s symbolic value as it comes from a time which promotes freedom of speech and creativity, aspects absent within the totalitarian world of the novel.
A beautiful dance between textual evidence, literary techniques and context! Great JobsIt can be inferred Orwell valued the past and he injected this value through the characterisation of Winston. He is also infatuated with the diary because of its “smooth creamy paper.” The tactile imagery adds a form of liveliness to the diary whilst also romanticising the pages. Winston’s love for writing can be seen here as well as Orwell’s love for writing. The diary allows Winston to express his thoughts and beliefs on its pages, which is why his views of the pages are so romanticised and given a sort of sensual feeling, further highlighting his love for objects of the past. The paperweight Winston stumbles across also hold a “peculiar softness, as of rainwater, in both colour and texture of the glass.” The word “peculiar” is used to describe both the diary and the paperweight, further reinforcing Winston’s love for unordinary objects made unusual through their historic values. The tactile imagery used in describing the coral showcases its tenuousness and uniqueness found through its physical appearance and historic significance, as it originates from the Indian Ocean, a place the Party has no control over. Winston finds the coral so distinguishable that he “immediately pays over the four dollars” that it is worth. The use of “immediately” highlights Winston’s obsession with the item. Nothing is restricting him from owning the paperweight as there is with him following through with his desire for Julia, so when he has to chance to obtain what he loves, he does so without any second thoughts. Winston’s loneliness caused from being unable to pursue his love for Julia, seen to a large extent, leads him to ultimately pursue love in other symbolic objects within the book.
Again, bring it back to us! Bring it back to how our understanding of loneliness is transformed, upon learning more about Winston's loneliness As a result of loneliness, Winston resorts to rebellion in an attempt to find meaning in a world dedicated to destroying all levels of meaning and identity.
Oooo getting even more interesting. I like this. His first form of rebellion is seen through his use of the diary to protest against the Party’s indoctrinating rules. Winston’s choice “to mark the paper was the decisive act.” Tension is created and the reader can feel the significance of Winston’s action within the context of the novel.
YES! Buying the diary may not have been controversial, but to write is not in accordance with the Party beliefs and can be punishable by death. This creates a paradox since writing in a diary for us is largely a common human experience whilst within the context of the book, it's detrimental. Winston also writes in large capital letter “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER,” repeatedly. His rebellion has begun early in the novel, suggesting that loneliness has already consumed Winston and we are merely seeing the effects of it throughout the book. The repetition of “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” creates tension as his rebellion has escorted to writing off the Party directly, showcasing Winston’s hatred and emotional response to anything Party related. Through utilising the diary to rebel, Winston attempts to find meaning through unconformity and disobedience.
...."and this search ultimately bolsters our plea for meaning in the midst of loneliness' Woops I may have injected my idea there by accident. But here is the perfect opportunity to bring it back to the question! Furthermore, he discovers meaning through his affair with Julia. Winston, “At the sight of the word I love you, the desire to stay alive had welled up in him”. Not only does this suggest Winston’s degrading emotional state before Julia’s confession as only following the event he wanted to remain alive, but also showcases his newfound identity in his love for Julia. Pursuing a relationship with Julia allows him to gain meaning and no longer feel lonely. This however leads us to assume their relationship is only a form of protest and an attempt to gain meaning.
YES GREAT JOB No pure connection is felt between them.
PACK A PUNCHTherefore, loneliness has deprived Winston of any purpose and meaning, and he attempts to regain it through his rebellion in the novel through utilisation of the diary and pursuing an illegal affair with Julia.
Exploring human experiences within Nineteen Eight-Four, allows us to see to a large extent that effects of loneliness on an individual are always seen. The effects of loneliness are prominent in Winston and can be observed through his attitudes and thoughts. Winston’s hatred towards Julia is full of complexity. His loneliness has caused him to hate Julia as he despises the fact that she can never be his under the tyrannical rule of the Party. As a result of this, Winston attempts to find love in the diary and coral paperweight due to their historic and symbolic significance within the novel. He also attempts to gain meaning and purpose through his rebellion within the book through the diary and affair with Julia, which has been caused through his inability to construct any person meaning under the regime of the Party.
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Topic: English Advanced (Read 869 times)