This lesson plan helps students analyze the major characters in *1984* by George Orwell using a visual character map.
Subject: English Language Arts · Grade: 10–12 · Time: 45–60 minutes
Major characters
Winston Smith
- Role: Protagonist
- Traits: Rebellious, intelligent, weak, nostalgic, curious
- Motivation: Truth, freedom, individuality
- Development: Rebels, is caught, is broken
- Key quote: "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four."
Julia
- Role: Winston's lover
- Traits: Practical, rebellious, sensual, pragmatic
- Motivation: Personal pleasure, defying the Party
- Development: Betrays Winston under torture
- Key quote: "I'm good at getting things. I'm resourceful."
O'Brien
- Role: Antagonist (apparent ally)
- Traits: Intelligent, manipulative, cruel, sophisticated
- Motivation: Serving the Party, breaking Winston
- Development: Revealed as a loyal Party member
- Key quote: "The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake."
Big Brother
- Role: Symbolic leader
- Traits: Omnipresent, authoritarian, possibly fictional
- Motivation: Total control
- Development: Never appears in person, remains a symbol
Activity: Character map storyboard
- Open Storyboard Creator
- Choose 3 characters from above
- For each character, create panels showing traits, motivations and key moments
- Export PDF or share a live link