1984 Key Concepts: Ministry, Government, Slogans, and Control

What Ministry does Winston work for?

The Ministry of Truth ("Minitrue").

What type of government was in power in 1984?

A totalitarian dictatorship run by the Party, based on INGSOC (English Socialism).

When is the story set?

In the year 1984.

What is the Party slogan in Part I, chapter 3?

"War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength."

List the three Party slogans.

War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.

What is the eventual aim of Newspeak according to Syme?

To make thoughtcrime impossible by destroying words until people cannot think anything the Party doesn't want.

What is Winston's job at the Ministry?

He rewrites past newspaper articles to match what the Party currently claims is true.

Why does Winston believe a real love affair would be almost unthinkable?

Because the Party tries to kill sexual instinct and wants all loyalty to go to Big Brother.

What is the emblem of the Junior Anti-Sex League?

A red sash worn around the waist.

Why does Winston no longer believe Julia is an enemy?

Because she passes him the note that says 'I love you.'

What intimate gesture do Winston and Julia share at the end of Part II, chapter 1?

They hold hands and kiss in the woods.

Why do Winston and Julia rent the room above Mr. Charington's shop?

To have a place where they can be alone together, away from telescreens.

Why does Julia care about the Party's agenda?

She doesn't care about politics; she only cares about breaking the rules to enjoy her own life.

What does Winston think Julia takes for granted?

She takes the idea that the Party can't change her inner feelings for granted.

Describe Julia's theory about the stories of Goldstein and the underground.

She believes the Brotherhood isn't real and that the Party invents it to catch rebels.

What is significant about the place in which O'Brien approaches Winston in Part II, chapter 6?

O'Brien approaches him in a private, luxurious apartment, indicating he is an Inner Party member.

How does Julia think Winston should have gotten out of his loveless marriage?

She says he should have broken the rules and acted on what he wanted.

How did Winston spend most of his time as a child?

Hungry, searching for food, and watching his mother and sister disappear.

What would happen to O'Brien if he referred to Syme by name?

It would be dangerous — Syme is an 'unperson', so naming him is forbidden.

What happened to Winston's mother and sister?

They disappeared suddenly, and Winston believes the Party took them away.

Why must the past be altered according to Goldstein's book?

To make the past fit the present so no one can compare and say they are worse off.

What are the two aims of the Party according to Goldstein?

To conquer the whole surface of the earth and to extinguish the possibility of independent thought.

What does Winston conclude is Goldstein's final message?

The Party wants power for its own sake — absolute, perpetual power.

What is the primary aim of modern warfare according to Goldstein?

To use up the products of the machine without raising the general standard of living.

Where has Winston been taken at the beginning of Part III?

The Ministry of Love (Miniluv).

Why is it called the place with no darkness?

Because the lights are kept on all the time — constant illumination and surveillance.

Who does Parsons say has denounced him?

His own children.

Why does Winston hope O'Brien will come see him?

Because he believes O'Brien is on his side and will help him resist the Party.

What was the Party's purpose in bringing Winston to the Ministry of Love?

Not to punish, but to cure — to make him loyal.

What is Winston's primary concern while being tortured in Part III, chapter 2?

His main goal is to survive; he decides to submit and endure.

What does O'Brien throw down the memory hole in Part III?

A photograph that would have proved Jones, Aaronson, and Rutherford were innocent.

Why does the Party seek power?

For its own sake — to have absolute control forever.

List the 3 stages of Winston's reintegration.

Learning, Understanding, Acceptance.

What devastating news does O'Brien give Winston regarding Julia?

That Julia betrayed him; she no longer loves him.

What does Winston write on his slate in Part III, chapter 4?

He writes 'I love Big Brother.'

How has the Party maintained control without igniting a rebellion?

By constant surveillance, terror, propaganda, and psychological control.

How must Winston change his feelings toward Big Brother before he is released?

He must truly love Big Brother.

What does Winston believe is the only way to keep a secret?

Tell no one.

Where does Winston's final torture occur?

Room 101.

What is Winston's reaction after he cries out for Julia?

He betrays her fully.

What is the worst thing in the world for Winston?

Rats.

According to Winston at the end of Part III, chapter 5, what is freedom?

To accept whatever the Party says.

What is Winston's latest false memory at the end of the book?

That he has always loved Big Brother.

What is the telescreen's important announcement in Part III, chapter 6?

An announcement of a great victory.

What does Julia's body remind Winston of in Part III, chapter 6?

Betrayal and the loss of the meaning of their love.

What is Airstrip One?

The province formerly called England.

What is the Brotherhood?

An alleged underground organization opposed to the Party.

What is Crimestop?

Training yourself to stop any dangerous thought.

What is Doublethink?

Holding two contradictory beliefs at once and accepting both.

What is Eurasia?

One of the three superstates.

What is Eastasia?

Another of the three superstates.

What is INGSOC?

English Socialism, the Party's ideology.

What is Newspeak?

The Party's controlled language.

What is Oceania?

The superstate where the story takes place.

What does vaporize mean?

To erase someone from existence.