AP Lit "1984" CONTENT Vocab

Two Minutes Hate

A daily period where civilians are shown video of “traitors” to instill hate towards rebellion and joy towards loyalty when pertaining to the Party.

Thought Police

Officials who arrest and punish those who commit thoughtcrime. Punishments often include forced labor and vaporization/death.

Thought Crime

The act of having rebellious/offensive thoughts against the Party; a VERY punishable offense.

Doublespeak/Doublethink

To allow contradicting words or phrases to exist together to emphasize a unique idea and encourage both loyalty to the Party and “free” thought/beliefs.

• Ex: “War is peace,” “Slavery is freedom.”

Proletariat/”Proles”

The average, lower class citizens of Oceania who work, live in poverty, and are left alone by the Party

Unperson

Someone who has been “vaporized”; someone whose existence is completely wiped.

Vaporized

When someone’s existence is completely erased from society, making it seem as though they never lived or existed.

Facecrime

The act of making a facial expression that goes against/doesn’t support the Party; a punishable offense.

• Ex: Making a shocked expression after hearing about a victory against a rival country.

“Inner Party”/Controlling Class

This group has the most elite/privileged people. They hold complete control over society & lead the government. They also enjoy rare luxuries like wine and being able to turn off their telescreens when they want to.

• Ex: O’Brien

The Brotherhood

An infamous group, which may or may not be real, that works against the Party and aims to take down Big Brother.

The bourgeois/bourgeoisie/”Outer Party”

This working class is known as the middle or second-highest class. Members work for and are controlled by the Inner Party.

• Ex: Winston, Julia, Syme, etc.

Utopianism

The belief in a perfect state or society.

Socialism

A political system where the public/workers own the means of production and industries INSTEAD of private/governmental owners.

Ingsoc

A newspeak term for the political ideology of the Party.

Crimestop

A learned reaction where one stops themself from having any thoughts that go against the Party

Newspeak

A new language created by the Party, used amongst most of its members; an abbreviated or shortened version of the English language