Homework help please! Part 1 Chapter 1

[Kimi]

I'm working on a study guide for my AP Class this year, and I'm just having difficulty. So you know, I'm not expecting anyone to do my work for me, if you could just give me a push in the right direction or confirm what I already have that would be nice.

1. What is the effect of the juxtaposition at the beginning of this section?
Im confused about what is being juxtaposed. My first thought was Winston's frail body with the oversized Big Brother posters on the walls (menancing government, oppression, etc). Then I was wondering if it might be the blue overalls and what Winston describes as the "harsh blue sky" (again connecting the control of Big Brother over like...everything).

2. What is the effect of the anaphora in this sentence? "You had to live-did live, from habit that became instinct-in the assumption that every sound you made was overhead, and, except in darkness, every moment scrutinized".
My problem is, I can't find the anaphora! We only studied when phrases are repeated, I noticed that the words "live" and "every" are repeated but I've read this sentence over and over and there doesn't seem to be any effect at all.

3. How is the paradox involved with the descriptions of the government ministries?
I don't fully understand what a paradox is, if you could give a general definition and use this as an example that would be great.
What I've got: Ministry Of Peace, support the war. Ministry of Truth, promotes slogans that are clearly not the straight truth. Ministry of Plenty, control the food - Winston has no food. Ministry of Love, controls punishments. Am I on the right track?

4. How is paradox found in the description of Victory Gin?
What I've got: It's foul, and cheap but it makes Winston feel better?

6. What is the effect of the syntax in Winston's journal entry for April 4th, 1984?
What I've got: It reads very rushed, gives off a feeling of anxiety.

9. Why doesn't the government ever capture Goldstein?
No idea really, to keep the influence?

13. How does syntax reflect Winston's sexual frustration with Julia?
Again, no idea.

15. What is the rhetorical effect of the word voluptuously?
I apologize, but again, no idea.

[The Atheist]

I'm working on a study guide for my AP Class this year, and I'm just having difficulty. So you know, I'm not expecting anyone to do my work for me, if you could just give me a push in the right direction or confirm what I already have that would be nice.

1. What is the effect of the juxtaposition at the beginning of this section?
Im confused about what is being juxtaposed. My first thought was Winston's frail body with the oversized Big Brother posters on the walls (menancing government, oppression, etc). Then I was wondering if it might be the blue overalls and what Winston describes as the "harsh blue sky" (again connecting the control of Big Brother over like...everything).

Those ideas are fine, but you could also look at juxtaposition used all the way through the beginning - the Victory Mansions stinking of boiled cabbage, with broken lifts; the cold day in April with a vile wind. Orwell uses constant juxtaposition to emphasise the difference between Winston's reality and the Party's reality.

2. What is the effect of the anaphora in this sentence? "You had to live-did live, from habit that became instinct-in the assumption that every sound you made was overhead, and, except in darkness, every moment scrutinized".
My problem is, I can't find the anaphora! We only studied when phrases are repeated, I noticed that the words "live" and "every" are repeated but I've read this sentence over and over and there doesn't seem to be any effect at all.

I think the key is in "live", again, highlighting the difference between being alive and living a happy life.

3. How is the paradox involved with the descriptions of the government ministries?
I don't fully understand what a paradox is, if you could give a general definition and use this as an example that would be great.
What I've got: Ministry Of Peace, support the war. Ministry of Truth, promotes slogans that are clearly not the straight truth. Ministry of Plenty, control the food - Winston has no food. Ministry of Love, controls punishments. Am I on the right track?

Yes, you are on the right track, but I think your teacher has mistaken what a paradox actually is. The names are a contradiction in terms, while a paradox is something which is not just counter-intuitive, but impossible. If you go with your thoughts on the names, you'll ace it.

4. How is paradox found in the description of Victory Gin?
What I've got: It's foul, and cheap but it makes Winston feel better?

Also the name itself - a "Victory Gin" would imply something worthy of a victor, which it isn't.

6. What is the effect of the syntax in Winston's journal entry for April 4th, 1984?
What I've got: It reads very rushed, gives off a feeling of anxiety.

Bingo!

9. Why doesn't the government ever capture Goldstein?
No idea really, to keep the influence?

He doesn't exist in reality. Goldstein is a tool of the Party and used to engender hatred in the Two Minute Hate, which is then exploited when BB's face comes up so that people are relieved and comforted by BB.

13. How does syntax reflect Winston's sexual frustration with Julia?
Again, no idea.

Winston originally sees Julia as a possible spy and hates her. He wants to smash her face, mutilate her, which can be seen as sexual frustration. I doubt that what Orwell intended, but it'll keep your teacher happy.

15. What is the rhetorical effect of the word voluptuously?
I apologize, but again, no idea.

I'm not sure where it's used, but voluptuously implies large, friendly, curvaceous, motherly. Just as the Party isn't.

Hope that helps!

[Gladys]

3. How is the paradox involved with the descriptions of the government ministries? .

Dictionary.com gives a primary meaning of paradox as:

1.___a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

That the Ministry Of Peace supports the war seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth that: In Oceania, citizens appreciate that unceasing war is a sure pathway to lasting peace. Parsons did, and through doublethink Winston, himself, finally sees.

'...bring the war within measurable distance of its end victory -- greatest victory in human history'

[The Atheist]

Dictionary.com gives a primary meaning of paradox as:

1.___a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

I think that's a recently-evolved usage.

Cambridge says:

a situation or statement which seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics

The idea of a paradox expressing a possible truth by its nature seems paradoxical itself to me, but it's definitely in line with the teacher's thinking.