1984 Glossary

In George Orwell’s 1984, Airstrip One is a province. It is part of the larger nation of Oceania. 

Big Brother is a character and symbol from George Orwell’s '1984.' He is the leader of Oceania. 

The term “doublethink,” as first seen in George Orwell’s '1984,' is used to describe one’s capacity to hold two contradictory beliefs at one time.

The floating fortress is a military base mentioned in George Orwell’s '1984.' These are stations that Oceania uses to protect its territories or encroach on lands that belong to Eastasia and Eurasia. 

Hate Week is a week of events that are designed to make the citizens of Oceania feel as much hate as possible towards certain enemies in George Orwell’s '1984.' 

INGSOC, or English Socialism, is the totalitarian political party of Oceania, in George Orwell’s '1984.'  

The Inner Party is the top two percent of citizens from Oceania in George Orwell’s 1984. 

The Junior Anti-Sex League is a fictional organization featured in George Orwell’s '1984' that's working to end all sexual intercourse.

The memory hole is a term that comes from George Orwell’s 1984. It refers to a hole in the wall into which paper and photographs are destroyed.

The Ministry of Peace is a governmental organization in '1984' by George Orwell. It is in charge of the war effort.

The Ministry of Plenty is one of the four ministries that are responsible for running Oceania in George Orwell’s 1984.

The Ministry of Truth is one of four ministries in Oceania in George Orwell’s novel '1984.'

Newspeak is the fictional language Orwell invented for his novel 1984. It is used to control what people are capable of thinking.

Pornosec is a division of the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s novel '1984.'

Room 101 is the designation of a particularly awful torture chamber within the Ministry of Love in '1984.'

The speakwrite is a device that was invented by George Orwell for his novel, '1984.' It is used instead of physical writing. 

The telescreen is a device used in '1984' by George Orwell. It has the appearance of a dulled mirror and is usually part of the wall. It also allows the Thought Police to monitor Party members.

'The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism' is a fictional novel featured in George Orwell’s 1984. 

The Thought Police, or Thinkpol, are the group responsible for the detection of thoughtcrime within Oceania in George Orwell’s '1984. '

Throughtcrime a term used throughout Orwell’s 1984. It is defined as thoughts that go against the political ideology of the Party. 

The term “unperson” first appeared in George Orwell’s '1984.' It refers to someone whose existence is denied due to a political or ideological crime.