1984 by George Orwell

Author: George Orwell



Published: 1949
Novel.

The story begins with Winston Smith, on April 4th, 1984. Winston Smith lives in Airstrip One, the ruins of an England ravaged by war, civil conflict, and revolution. A member of the middle class Outer Party, Winston lives in a one-room London apartment on a diet of black bread, synthetic meals and "Victory" -branded gin. 

Telescreens in every building, along with hidden microphones and cameras, permit the Thought Police to identify anyone who might endanger the Party's regime. Children are indoctrinated to inform on suspected thought criminals, specially their parents. 

Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, as an editor responsible for historical revisionism. He rewrites records and alters photographs to conform to the state's ever-changing version of the truth, rendering the deleted people unpersons, the original documents are incinerated in a memory hole.

Winston suddenly becomes fascinated by the true past and tries to learn more about it. In an alcove beside his Telescreen, where he believes he cannot be seen, he begins writing a journal criticizing the Party and its leader, Big Brother, which, if discover, warrants certain death. 

Background:

Set in Oceania, one of three inter-continental superstates that divided the world after a global war. 

Most of the plot takes place in London, the chief city of Airstrip One the Oceanic province that "had once been called England or Britain." Posters of the Party leader, Big Brother, bearing the caption BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, dominate the city.

The class hierarchy of Oceania has three levels:

• The Upper-Class Inner Party

• The Middle-Class Outer Party

• The Lower-Class Proles

As the government, the Party controls the population with four ministries:

• Ministry of Peace, dealing with war and defense. 

• Ministry of Plenty, dealing with economic affairs (rationing and starvation).

• Ministry of Love, dealing with law and order (torture and brainwashing).

• Ministry of Truth, dealing with news, entertainment, education and art (propaganda). 

Characters: 

Winston Smith

Julia

Big Brother

O'Brien

Emmanuel Goldstein

Katherine Smith

Tom Parsons

Mrs. Parsons

Syme