1984
Ministry of truth ministry of love and room 1011st statement
1) Orwell’s transformation of global geography is indicative of the oppressive and dangerous environment that Winston must exist in.
Analysis points
Super states controlling the world
Britain is now airstrip one – military centre of Oceania
Loss of history and culture
Star paragraph
Orwell’s transformation of global geography is indicative of the oppressive and now dangerous environment that Winston must exist in. As he describes the now militarized country Orwell writes, “The grimy landscape – this was London – chief city of airstrip one”. What is evident is that the world is now broken into “super states” each with its own controlling government; all aspects of modern democracy seem to have been removed. Britain has now become the military centre of Oceania and has been renamed – Airstrip one. Not only does this indicate the new purpose and focus of the party who control Oceania but introduces the reader to the idea that Britain has lost its identity and culture; it is no longer a country on its own right but simply the military arm of Oceania. This reflects the way in which the society is ruled – with a government who oppresses and controls it people. Orwell’s choice to set his novel in this world develops the theme of control and highlights the dangers that Winston faces daily in the face of a world ruled through perpetual war
Victory mansions
Statement
1) Victory mansions are where Winston lives and the name is ironic because they are anything but mansion like.
Analysis points –
Society
Winston’s living conditions
Telescreens
Star paragraph
Victory Mansions are the apartment building Winston lives in, nothing from the plumbing to the electricity works and it emphasizes the effect that living under a totalitarian government has on society. The name insinuates that the place or time at one point use to be beautiful but now it’s run down and ruined. The party use telescreens to control and keep watch of its people. They were televisions and security camera like devices used by the dictator of Oceania to prevent anyone attempting to rebel or create conspiracies alone or with others. The screens often showed big brothers head and shoulders that resembled a similar like figure to that of the soviet dictator Stalin. The phrase “big brother is watching you” was constantly repeated along with cheap music, false military news reports and a two minute hate film to which all contributed to manipulating the population into believing everything and anything they want and anyone who thought otherwise was too scared to speak up in case the thought police would catch them. This further develops the theme of control and highlights the dangers of a totalitarian government.
Charrington’s shop
Statement
1) Mr Charrington’s shop gives Winston freedom and a glimpse from the past, he feels safe.

Star paragraph

Mr Charrington’s shop gives Winston freedom and a glimpse from the past, it makes him feel safe. He bought the paperweight from the shop, which he finds beautiful; anything pleasurable is forbidden and considered dangerous by the party. The paperweight represents his rebellion against this oppression and takes him back to his childhood before the party took over. This is where Winston and Julia come; they have the chance to live free and be in an open relationship. The fact that Winston and Julia chose to exercise their abilities of individual thought without obeying Big Brother’s directives was the ultimate act of rebellion. When the thought police finally come and take them for questioning, one of the thought police throws the paperweight across the room and it shatters into