1984 Reading #9 Notes

Pg186- The war that is happening currently in Oceania is the same war they that they have been fighting for years. The difference is that every few years Oceania’s alliances change.

“The primary aim of modern warfare is to use up the products of the machine without raising the general standard of living” (188) - Oceania remains in a war to use up resources to ensure that they are still in control of people’s needs.

Pg189 – In the past society believed that the future society was going to be richer and more knowledgeable. In actuality the present society in Oceania is more impoverished and has not increased their knowledge. The lack of change is due to the fact that society cannot learn more if thinking is not encouraged.

Pg190- The idea that wealth cannot become evenly distributed, because the illiterate people in the society would then have the ability to learn. The impoverished people would then see that the minority group that has all the wealth has no real function.

Pg190- Hierarchical society needs poverty to stay in control. The Party has to make sure that goods are being produced but not distributed.

Pg196- People from Eastasia, Eurasia, and Oceania never talk to each, because they would then realize that everything that they had been told to each has been a lie.

Pg197- The philosophies of the three Superstates are actually identical and have similar social systems.

Pg199- There is a continuous war and as a result war does mean peace in Oceania.

Pg102- People are physically better off than they were in the past, but there has been no increase in wealth.

Pg205- The invention of print made it easier for the party to manipulate the Public’s opinion.

Pg207- As long as the people are not aware that they are oppressed they will never revolt.

Pg208- Big Brother is the focus of all of the party’s beliefs.

Pg212- In Oceania they have ability to change fact instantly, and the Inner Party’s willingness to not only believe the facts, and know the facts.

Pg214- To commit Doublethink one must be aware of what they are doing, but not have a complete understanding of Doublethink, because thinking about Doublethink is in fact committing Doublethink.

Pg216- The names of the ministries illustrate how the Party changes facts.