The Truman Show

Students received the following assignment which is due tomorrow along with their Room 101 chapter: The Truman Show Although this is not directly derived from 1984, the themes are similar. You should easily be able to compare and contrast the film with the themes of privacy that we have been discussing. Be sure to answer the following questions in complete paragraphs. In your opinion, what is worse – being watched 24/7 and knowing it like Winston? Or, being watched 24/7 and not knowing it like Truman? (10 points) At the very end of the film when Truman confronts Christof, Christof tries to convince Truman to stay. Truman responds by saying, “You never had a camera in my head!” Why is this comment an important quote for a comparison of The Truman Show to 1984? Explain your answer carefully. (10 points)

The Truman Show

We are currently watching The Truman Show and discussing the privacy issue and how it relates to 1984.

Room 101

After reading several excerpts from 1984 dealing with room 101, the students received the following assignment: Designing Room 101 You are to write a chapter describing your experience in room 101. You may use any point of view you like but you must include the following: • Dialogue • Figurative language (refer to your elements of voice sheet) • You as the main character • An interrogator Spend some time brainstorming what you would find to be “unendurable”. Then be creative with your room design. Remember, this is something that would undoubtedly break you, or as O’Brien puts it, “a matter of instinct”.