1984

A detailed Summary of 1984

Orwell's society displays a threatening projection of a totalitarian system into the future. Indeed it is a regime very similar to the tyrannies of the 20th century and strongly echoes Stalin Russia or Nazi Germany. The dominant mood inside this repressive system is one of threat and suppression due to the systematic persecution and oppression of non-conformists. As Goldstein explains in his 'Oligarchical Collectivism' there have always been three classes: the high, the middle and the low with the middle and the high constantly changing their respective position. Eventually this movement was identified by historians as being cyclical. In an attempt to interrupt this recurring pattern the Party is essentially focussing on the problem of Stability. Indeed Stability becomes paramount in Oceania as well as in the other two superpowers Eastasia and Eurasia. In short it is the problem of how to keep things the way they are and maintain a hierarchical society without risking an overthrow of the established system.

Several devices and attitudes have been conceived to achieve this aim. First of all the Party constantly controls and monitors its subjects. A crucial device in this scheme is the telescreen which, by being able to send as

well as to receive information, allows a constant surveillance of all Party members. In addition other institutions such as the Thought Police or the Spies have been contrived to guarantee a maximum of surveillance. Moreover different concepts of thinking such as 'Thoughtcrime' and 'Crimestop' have been introduced in an attempt to detect and/or prevent any digression from the Party principles as soon as possible and thus eliminate any potential non-conformists. Even the expression of one's face is subject to scrutiny as it might for example hint at a resentment felt towards Big Brother or might even indicate a possible future 'criminal' (in Oceania this concept is referred to as 'Facecrime').

Another crucial concept contrived to maintain the system is the concept of 'doublethink'. In practise it means the power of holding simultaneously two contradictory beliefs in one's mind and accepting both of them. In Nineteen Eighty-Four this is not merely a way of thinking, it is a doctrine. It is a concept which lies at the very heart of Ingsoc. Undoubtedly an empirical point of view radically contradicts the concept of 'doublethink'. Hence this is another fundamental reasons why Goldstein's book identifies empirical thought as 'opposed to the most fundamental principles of Ingsoc'. Indeed it refutes the very relativism (i.e. 2 x 2 = 5) as displayed by the regime's spokesman O'Brien in the Ministry of Truth during Winston's interrogation. Another example of 'doublethink' is the idea of world-conquest which 'is believed in m

Some common words found in the essay are:
Inner Party, O'Brien Winston's, Police Spies, Nazi Germany, Eastasia Eurasia, Oceania Ultimately, Indeed Winston, Ingsoc Undoubtedly, , Ingsoc' Indeed, inner party, achieve aim party, 1984 p225, winston's interrogation, threat system, standard living, fundamental principles, aim party, concept 'doublethink', hierarchical society, achieve aim,

Approximate Word count = 1029
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English