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Copywork
About This Passage
This is a dream. In the daytime, Winston lives in a gray, worn-out city where screens watch him and he is never free. But in his sleep he visits a beautiful, open place he calls the Golden Country, with soft grass and warm evening sunlight turning the ground to gold. The peaceful, golden words here feel like the opposite of his real world, and that is the point: even when everything around Winston is harsh and watched, a part of him still dreams of a free and beautiful place.
Suddenly he was standing on short springy turf, on a summer evening when the slanting rays of the sun gilded the ground.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Tell what happens in this chapter in order: Winston is asleep and dreaming; first he dreams of his mother and his baby sister sinking slowly away from him, far below, and he feels that long ago families used to love and stand by one another; then he dreams of a beautiful, sunny field he calls the Golden Country, a free and peaceful place; a loud whistle from the telescreen wakes him for getting-up time, and a sharp woman on the screen leads the morning exercises called the Physical Jerks; while he exercises, Winston tries to remember his real childhood, but it is hard because the Party keeps changing the past and saying things that are not true; the woman on the screen calls him '6079 Smith W' and tells him to bend lower, and Winston, careful never to show his real feelings, finally manages to touch his toes. When you reach the part about changing the past, slow down and tell why that frightens Winston.
Discussion Questions
- In his dream, Winston watches his mother and baby sister sink farther and farther away while they keep looking up at him. Why do you think that dream matters so much to him, and what does it help him notice about his life now? What part of the chapter helps you decide?
- During the morning exercises in front of the telescreen, Winston keeps his face still and never lets his real fear or sadness show. Why do you think Winston works so hard to hide his real feelings, and what does that tell you about his world? What part of the chapter helps you decide?
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Vocabulary
Item 1
Very strong, rough, and full of force; when Winston wakes, a powerful fit of coughing doubles him over and empties his lungs.
Item 2
Very sad, especially because of loss or death; Winston feels his mother's death long ago carried a deep sorrow that is no longer possible in his world.
Item 3
Hated something very deeply, with disgust; Winston cannot stand the toe-touching exercise, which sends sharp pains shooting up his legs.
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Critical Thinking
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