What is Big Brother’s identity? Does he exist?

Big Brother is enigmatic. It is irrelevant whether he exists or not, as long as people believe that he does. He personifies the party; being portrayed on posters and as a voice over the telescreens. 
Big Brother is able to achieve such a status thanks to Ingsoc. It forces total submission. Physical, mental and moral. The only acceptable thing in the eyes of the party is to be devout and orthodox; to love Big Brother and all that he has done and continues to do for the better of mankind. 

What does Goldstein represent? Does he hold more importance than just being Big Brother’s antithesis?

Goldstein represents all that is wrong in society, from the party's perspective. Rebelling against the party and forming his own organisation, 'The Brotherhood'; which is dedicated to bringing an end to Big Brother and the party. In my opinion, Goldstein does hold more importance than just being Big Brother's antithesis. Yes, I feel that it is important, and typical for novels, to have a nemesis. Someone of equal stature and power, who has a different philosophy. I also think it is quite typical and cliche that Goldstein had been part of the Inner Paty before he formed the Brotherhood. Often in novels and movies, the antithesis, was once a comrade or friend, before they turned and changed sides. They once were good before they went 'bad'.
Apart from that, Goldstein has a fundamental role in 1984. He represents all that Winston believes, or thinks he believes. He understands and is able to articulate his views. We see this in the book that all members of the Brotherhood must read, The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism.
Like Big Brother, I am unsure and don't think it necessarily matters if Goldstein exists. From the party's perspective, he serves two purposes: One, to focus all the anger of Oceania onto him, and that therefore will unite them and keep the 'peace'. Two, is to use Goldstein as an excuse. Because of him, the party is able to justify many of their decisions.

What is the ultimate meaning of Newspeak? What is its end or goal for society? Does it hope to eliminate thoughts?

Newspeak is the elimination of words. It aims to erase all ambiguity and meaning. It aims to get rid of thoughtful meaning. Eventually the only words in the vocabulary will be completely orthodox and will only remain there if it is in the favour of the Party. People can't think or argue something if there are no words in which they can use.

What hierarchies/ social classes are depicted in 1984? (E.g. the proles)

Three main social classes are depicted in 1984. The Inner Party, Outer Party and the Proles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1984_Social_Classes_alt.svg

Please come up with some points to discuss the following:

Thought Police

Two Minutes of Hate

The Ministries

Control and power

Totalitarianism

How/ why is ‘1984’ a dystopia?

The Hunger Games

Over the weekend, I went to the movies with friends and watched The Hunger Games. Throughout I noticed that the themes were dystopian and perhaps we could study it for Extension? It's a book series, also.
Some food for thought.
P.S IT'S AWESOME, SO WE SHOULD DO IT :)

Contemplating Gattaca after Surgery? How invalid am I?!

First and foremost I would like to acknowledge just how useful the blog idea was!
Secondly, thanks girls for your concern while I've been sick. I assume that Miss Glynn was in hysterics, worrying about a 1/3 of her ideal student ;) I am well on my way to recovery now. I'm not going to die, I had a lovely doctor named Sunday, an arm stuffed with gauze and now, a  cool scar to show off!  :D
Anyway! Back to business

1.      Ecclesiastes 7:13 “Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?” on the DVD cover there is a quote, “There is no gene for the human spirit”. What is Niccol trying to say? What do you think Niccol’s perspective is on genetic testing and modification?

Following the Christian ideology, we are all created equal before God. He died so that we may live. Apart from Jesus, no human is perfect. Each person has a purpose and we are formed accordingly. That is given the gifts and traits required to achieve; be that as a mother or as President. Therefore if God, who is omnipotent, has created us with flaws... "Who can straighten what he has made crooked? Obviously that is god's will and no government overhaul can compete.

I think think the quote "There is no gene for the human spirit" is Niccol's way of rebelling against the ideas of Gattaca Corp. and the dystopian society. It promotes freedom, even if the only freedom you have is inside your mind. It points out a flaw in the system. They believe that they have created the ideal world; manipulating the genetic code to create the perfect person. You can't determine human spirit with a blood or urine test. It is internal. The one thing that society doesn't have control over. The one thing that belongs solely to you and can't be altered. The one possible solution to overcoming society's views?

In my opinion, Niccol, when writing and creating characters for Gattaca, had definitely invested some of his beliefs into the character Vincent/Jerome. They share that same determination. They both question society and are both strong-willed. Both will push barriers. Both will dream big and then aim bigger. Neither will conform. Therefore I feel that Niccol's perspective on genetic testing and modification is neither "for" or "against"; but whether that testing and modification influences our innermost desires. 

2.      Who are the main characters? What are their relationships?

•      Vincent: A "faith birth, initially born into a loving environment until society began pointing out flaws. Since then, he has always been the "inferior" child in his family, as compared to Anton. He defies society by stealing Jerome's identity, forming a relationship with him. All other relationships are fake, based on lies. Apart from Irene, who he falls in love with and eventually reveals the truth too.
•       Irene: An inferior person, she has ambition but has succumbed to society's ideal of perfection. And so never believing in herself and the constant comparison. She falls in love with the "perfect Jerome", only to realise that he is in fact invalid Vincent.
•        Jerome: A perfect human being, who became paralysed from the waist down, after a car accident. He is anti-social, angry and doesn't have relationships...Until he meets Vincent, who he agrees to help by letting him "take his identity". Letting Vincent take his DNA.
  

3.      How does this film fit into the category of dystopia?
Gattaca fits into the category of dystopia with: The oppression of society, the fear of consequences, Vincent's desire to defy the mores of society. 

4.      What elements of this film are science fiction? Why does this work well with dystopia?

•      Gattaca being a space station
•      Set in the future
•      DNA testing/ modification
•      Futuristic scientific developments

                                                                To be continued...