Lecture Notes: Analysis of 1984 Chapter 1

Setting

Location: London, England (now called Airstrip 1) in a greater nation: Oceania.
Era: Dystopian future (1984).
Main Features:
- Posters with the caption "Big Brother is watching you" are ubiquitous.
- Society is tightly controlled and monitored.

Occupation: Works at the Ministry of Truth.
- Ministry of Truth: Handles news, entertainment, education, and the fine arts.
- Other Ministries:
  - Ministry of Peace: Responsible for war.
  - Ministry of Love: Oversees law and order.
  - Ministry of Plenty: Manages the economy.
Home: Lives in an apartment called Victory Mansions (ironic name).
- Living Conditions: Poor; electricity is often out, elevators don’t work, and the area smells of cabbage.

Telescreen: Main feature of Winston’s apartment.
- Functions like a TV.
- Can be dimmed but never turned off.
- Transmits both ways: it watches and listens to inhabitants.
- Constant surveillance within its field of vision.

Diary Writing: Illegal activity.
- Moves to an alcove out of range of the telescreen to write in his diary.
- Records a personal monologue.
- Writes dangerous thoughts: "Down with Big Brother."
- Thoughtcrime: punishable by vaporization.

Daily Ritual: Two Minutes Hate.
- Involves public expression of hatred towards the enemies of the Party.
- Characters involved:
  - A dark-haired woman.
  - O'Brien: A member of the Inner Party.
  - Target: Emmanuel Goldstein, a known betrayer of the Party.
- Purpose: Generate hatred and fear to maintain control over the populace.

Control and Manipulation: Government controls all aspects of life and actively manipulates reality.
Lack of Privacy: Everything is monitored; no room for individual thought or freedom.
Fear and Hatred: Tools used by the Party to maintain control.
Winston's Rebellion: His diary entries reflect his rebellious nature against the conformist, oppressive society.
Societal Structure: People are encouraged to hate and fear; this keeps them compliant to the Party's rule.