Quotes

This quote represents the Party’s slogan throughout the book, which is painted on the Ministry of Truth building and repeated throughout the book. This very harsh and frightening quote was first introduced in the first chapter of Book One to allow the reader a clearer idea of how controlling and predominant the Party and Big Brother truly were. This slogan serves as a reminder of the psychological control that is enforced on Oceania’s citizens. It represents a type of propaganda that is supposed to cause fear in the fact that the civilians must listen to Big Brother and the Party for they know all, and they know best. The first part of the slogan, “WAR IS PEACE” highlights the main idea of having a common enemy in which you can find peace and unity with one another through hating the same enemy. As there is war in Oceania, people feel a sense of peace as they go through their everyday life believing that the Party is protecting them. The second part of the slogan, “FREEDOM IS SLAVERY” is more for the Party to try and push the idea that true freedom lies in your loyalty to the Party and how much you serve it. For if you were given free will, you would ultimately fail. In a way this part of the quote is like the Party asking how if you were able to think for yourself, how would you know what was truly right? This question leads into the last part of the slogan, “IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH” which refers to the concept in the novel where without knowledge of key information, the Party is able to keep their power and make sure that the only thing their disciples is their faith towards Big Brother and the Party itself. The people of Oceania are supposed to belive what the Party tells them and never doubt or question them. This part of the slogan is probably the most important because it strikes a connection between our main character Winston and how he is so eager to learn more. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth where these words are painted on its building as mentioned before, which is extremely ironic and foreshadowing. There, Winston participated in helping the Party basically rewrite history with lies and falsehoods to make the information simple and easy to read for civilians as they become ignorant and continue their blind faith in the Party. As long as the majority keep believing what they are told and don’t begin to recognize any contradictions, the Party will be able keep its authority and power. This quote as a whole is an example of something mentioned throughout the novel known as“doublethinking”. To doublethink means to believe that two contradictory beliefs are true at the same time, which can be especially seen in the first half of this quote with “WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY”. As the plot continues, we find Winston trying to dive deeper and figure out what these words mean to him rather than to the Party, allowing the reader to join him on that personal journey.

Although this quote may go overlooked it is a large part of Winston's rebellious spirit. It is first said by Mr. Charrington in the antique shop. It immediately piqued Winstons interest. It's simply a nursery rhyme from the past but to Winston it is hope for the future.

The party's job and slogan is “Who controls the present controls the past.” However they couldn't control this part of the past coming into Winston's hands. To him it is proof that you can recover the past and use it for the future. The rhyme is leverage over the party proves that the past will never be completely forgotten. This quote continues to be Winstons willpower throughout the book even when he is captured by O’Brien.