The purpose of a Socratic seminar is to discuss major themes and questions within a text. Use the following questions to gather evidence for your discussion. In this discussion, the students are carrying the conversation, not the instructor. I will be there to ask guiding questions, but the majority of discourse will be your responsibility!
Grading: The score will be out of 40 points. Notes, annotated book, and dialectical journals all count as preparation points and are worth 10 points.
The discussion itself is graded out of 20 points. You should expect to contribute 4-5 evidence-based points. Bonus points are available for strengthening someone else's shared views with more evidence.
The follow-up consists of your self-evaluation of performance and summarizing 3-4 points that were brought up in the discussion. This follow-up is worth 10 points.
Some major questions that can be addressed are:
Comment on Big Brother...is he real? What can your determine?
What is the frustration with the proles? What is the major message that is being stated?
What happened in history? What is real? What is fake? jus prima nocte? Capitalists? Bombs?
What is the effect of Winston's past and family situation? How does it affect him in the present?
How does the absence of religion affect this society? Is it the same commitment and threat that love holds?
Explain the paradoxes...are they starting to make sense? Is Julia the same as Winston or different?
O'Brien's apartment has differences! What is attained there and what is the effect? THE BOOK!!!!!!! What foreshadowing occurs at the end of part 2? "You're only a rebel from the waist downwards..." Is Julia a walking embodiment of your youthful generation? Should you be affronted?
Part three.....any shockers? What is the Golden Country? What criminals are present and how are they dealt with? Mr. Charrington!!!!!! How is he different? Foreshadowing? What is the riddle of the "Oranges and lemons...." rhyme? Who participates? What is in store for Winston in part 3???
