Blog for 6/3/2020 Gunhee Lee Sophomores 2020 Blogger#15
Aim: How is connotation, denotation, and paradox explicated through Orwell’s “doublethink”?
Do now: Analyze the images below. Record the feelings you have/associate/identify with each of the “6” images.
- Moth, an insect that does not have much visual appeal
- Butterfly, an insect that many people adore for its beauty
- Cheap Car, a transportation device that most people will be able to afford
- Expensive Car, a premium car that not many can afford
- House, place to live, sense of comfort
- Old home, House that seems old and unsafe
(Brian Response- Dullness and Boredom, also with fear. Paul Response- Contrasting Richness and Poverty, not necessarily money. Seems superficial. Mila- Simple responses, ew for moth, pretty for butterfly, gorgeous house, adams family. Bradley- Thinking about them in relation to their colors. Instructor- Denotation vs Connotation. Top row is more denotation, such as an insect with wings, a method of transportation, or a place to live. Bottom row is more connotative, butterfly known for beauty, ferrari known for wealth, speed, and flashiness, and the bottom house seems to be an abandoned house.
Connotation vs Denotation:
Connotation and denotation are not two separate things/signs. They are two aspects/
elements of a sign, and the connotative meanings of a word exist together with
the denotative meanings.
− Connotation represents the various social overtones, cultural implications, or emotional
meanings associated with a sign.
− Denotation represents the explicit or referential meaning of a sign. Denotation
refers to the literal meaning of a word, the ‘dictionary definition.’
For example, the name ‘Hollywood’ connotes such things as glitz, glamour, tinsel,
celebrity, and dreams of stardom. In the same time, the name ‘Hollywood’ denotes an
area of Los Angeles, worldwide known as the center of the American movie industry.
Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word, the "dictionary definition."¨ It’s when you mean
what you say, literally.
Connotation, on the other hand, refers to the associations that are connected to
a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word; i.e, Feelings. Think of Positive or Negative Feelings.
Ex: thin . . . . . . . slender, skinny, beanpole, gaunt, unattractive . . . plain, dull, ugly, Illiterate . . . uneducated, stupid, ignorant, foolish
NOTE: Think of “denote” as the “dictionary,” and “connote” as “feels.” or “emotions.” If you could
choose, which would you prefer: Assertive of Pushy?
PARADOX
The term paradox is from the Greek word paradoxon, which means “contrary to expectations, existing belief, or perceived opinion.”
It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly, but which may include a latent truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas. A paradox is often used to make a reader think over an idea in an innovative way.
A statement that seems to contradict itself.
“War is peace.”
“Freedom is slavery.”
“Ignorance is strength.”
(George Orwell, 1984)
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
George Orwell
“Fair is foul and fouls is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”
(Macbeth, Act I- Scene I, 12-13)
“What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.”
–George Bernard Shaw
Sarah’s certain Death Riddle: Paradox Example
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY
The Oceania Times
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Google Classroom
CLASS DISCUSSION
Consider all of the emphasis we have been placing on “Doublethink.”
Do you believe that George Orwell would think we were crazy or just wasting a great deal of time focusing on this topic?Why/Why Not?
No, I believe he wanted us to think about and discuss these topics, as he would not have emphasized these things if he didn’t want us to focus on this topic.
Nicole response- We should be aware of the government’s corruption, we are not crazy for spending a lot of time on this topic
Maya response- Agreed, we
Lisa- Agreed, he would not have put so much emphasis on it if we were not supposed to spend time thinking about it
Instructor- Asks if we saw doublethink in Animal Farm
George- Napoleon would always change his rules in animal farm
Instructor- Words can be manipulated. Ex: Current events regarding peaceful protests, corrupting the desires of the families by looting businesses under the guise of supporting the protestors.
Aim: How can we analyze the symbolism in Winston Smith's name?
ACTIVE LISTENING
Listen, and read “The Lights Are Going Out”
by Winston Churchill.
TURN AND TALK
Why did Orwell name his protagonist partially
after him? How do they compare (Winston
Churchill and Winston Smith)?
Winston Churchill was the one who led Great Britain against the Nazis in WWII. Due to this, his name is often related to a feeling of peace and freedom, whereas Winston Smith in 1984 is trying to gain his own freedom.
GROUP WORK
After analyzing the symbolism of “Winston,” what deductions can you make about “Smith”?
Why these names together?
Smith is the most common last name in England, showing how any ordinary person can become someone who fights for freedom.
What is Orwell’s message to the reader by creating the character of Winston?
He is telling us to think for ourselves, so that we don’t give the government control over every aspect of our lives.
Reflection:
- What did I learn?
I learned about the use of connotative and denotative meanings of words in order to set a different understanding of 1984. I also learned about paradoxes and where they may be seen, and the irony that is presented in these paradoxes, especially within the concept of doublethink, as exhibited in 1984. Finally, I learned about the symbolism within the name Winston Smith, which was an inspiration to those who think that they don’t matter, telling them that they could make a difference, no matter who they were.
- Why did I learn it?
I learned about this because the understanding of connotative and denotative meanings can help to present what I read in a different light. For example, the moth is simply an insect, just like a butterfly, but when using the connotative understanding of what a moth is, most people would not view a moth as just a different type of butterfly. Furthermore, paradoxes are common in showing the irony within ideas. For example, 1984 says these 3 phrases, “War is peace.”
“Freedom is slavery.” “Ignorance is strength.” It is obvious from this that all of these are saying words that are exactly the opposite of each other. But understanding these phrases can help us to better grasp the ideas that 1984 throws at us, and helps us see why the society is the way it is. Finally, the symbolism helps us to see what the purpose of naming the protagonist as “Winston Smith” was. While his last name is the most common one in England, his name, “Winston” is one that inspires feelings of peace and freedom. In a society where everyone is trapped, where war is peace, and freedom is slavery, his name helps to show us that he is going to fight for true peace and freedom.
- How will I use what I learned?
I can use these meanings of words in order to read more deeply into novels that I read in the future, not only for 1984. I can also take my understanding of paradoxes to find why these things are being said, instead of brushing them off as nonsense. I can also look at symbolism to dig deeper into what the author’s intentions were when writing these details.
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