1984 Terms and Concepts

Flashcards for reviewing the novel 1984 by George Orwell.

Winston Who

The protagonist of the novel who secretly hates the Party and seeks rebellion.

Brotherhood What

The supposed underground resistance group that opposes the Party, led by Goldstein.

Sex What

In the Party's society, sex is only allowed for reproduction, and anything that deviates from this is forbidden.

Syme Who

A colleague of Winston’s at the Ministry of Truth, working on the Newspeak Dictionary.

Big Brother What

The leader of the Party, whose image is constantly displayed everywhere, and the figurehead for totalitarian control.

Chestnut Tree Café What

A place where re-educated Party members go after they’ve been broken by the Party.

Katherine Who

Winston’s wife, whom he despises.

Thought Police What

A secret police force that monitors and punishes people for thoughtcrime—thinking anything against the Party.

Anti-Sex League What

An organization that promotes celibacy and opposes any kind of sexual pleasure.

Propaganda What

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote the Party’s agenda.

Goldstein Who

The supposed leader of the Brotherhood, a group that opposes the Party.

Diary What

Winston’s secret journal where he writes his rebellious thoughts against the Party.

Telescreen What

A device used by the Party to broadcast propaganda and monitor citizens.

Totalitarianism What

A political system where the government has total control over all aspects of life.

Rutherford Who

A high-ranking member of the Party who appears to have been a former rebel leader.

Ministry of Truth What

The government ministry responsible for altering historical records and controlling information.

2+2=5 What

A famous example of doublethink, where the Party forces citizens to believe false statements.

Capitalism What

The economic system that existed before the Party took power.

Julia Who

Winston’s lover and fellow Party member who secretly rebels against the Party.

Ministry of Love What

The government agency responsible for torture and brainwashing of those who oppose the Party.

Vaporize What

The act of erasing someone from existence, both physically and mentally.

Dystopian What

A genre of fiction that explores nightmarish societies where everything is controlled and people have no personal freedom.

Mrs. Parsons Who

Winston’s neighbor, a loyal Party member whose children are active in the Junior Spies.

Ministry of Plenty What

The government body responsible for overseeing the economy and rationing resources.

Two-Minutes Hate What

A daily ritual where Party members express their hatred for Goldstein.

Old Man in Pub Who

A character Winston meets who represents the older generation that still remembers a time before the Party took control.

Ministry of Peace What

The government agency responsible for conducting war.

Rats What

Winston’s greatest fear.

Charrington Who

The shopkeeper who rents Winston a room where he has his affair with Julia.

INGSOC What

Short for English Socialism, the official ideology of the Party.

Paperweight What

A piece of coral inside a glass paperweight that Winston buys in the shop.

O’Brien Who

A high-ranking Party member who pretends to be a rebel and betrays Winston.

Doublethink What

The ability to accept two contradictory beliefs at the same time.

Room 101 What

The place where prisoners are subjected to their worst fears and tortured until they betray their beliefs.

Mr. Parsons Who

Winston’s neighbor, a loyal Party member.

Thoughtcrime What

The act of thinking against the Party, which is punishable by death.

Proles Who

The working class of Oceania.

Oceania What

The superstate where Winston lives, one of three global powers in 1984.

Eurasia/Eastasia What

The other two superstates constantly at war with Oceania.

Crimestop

The ability to stop any rebellious thought before it even forms in your mind.

Purpose of Newspeak

To limit language and, in turn, limit thought.

Social Classes in 1984

The Inner Party, Outer Party, and Proles.

How Julia Fights the Party

Julia fights against the Party primarily through personal rebellion.

How the Party Controls History

The Ministry of Truth is responsible for altering historical records, making sure that history always supports the Party’s current narrative.

Three Slogans of INGSOC

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

Ultimate Aim of the Party

Complete power.

Class Structure of Oceania

The Inner Party, the Outer Party and the Proles are the class structures.

Techniques to Control Thought

The Party uses several techniques to control thought: Doublethink, Newspeak, Surveillance, and Rewriting history.

Proles Hope

They are unmonitored and are not part of the Party's machinery of control.

Technology Affect Control

Technology, especially the Telescreen, is a primary tool used by the Party to maintain control.

Dystopian Novel

Novel depicts a nightmarish society where the government has total control over every aspect of life, including thoughts.

O’Brien refers to Winston as the “last man

He is the last person in the society of Oceania who still believes in individual freedom and truth.

Role of Big Brother

The figurehead of the Party, representing total control and surveillance.

Totalitarianism Theme

Absolute control over the society of Oceania.

Surveillance Theme

The Party uses technology to constantly monitor and control citizens.

Language Theme

Through Newspeak, the Party controls thoughts and eliminates the possibility of rebellion.

Past Manipulation Theme

The Party rewrites history to fit its current needs, erasing any trace of the truth.