Summary

1984

'1984' by George Orwell follows Winston Smith, who attempts to fight back against a totalitarian Party that rules Oceania and his entire life.

In a nutshell...

'1984' by George Orwell is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society led by the omnipresent Big Brother. The story follows Winston Smith, who works for the Ministry of Truth, altering historical records. Discontent with the regime, Winston begins a forbidden relationship with Julia. As they secretly rebel against the Party, they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal re-education. The novel ends with Winston's complete brainwashing, leading him to adore Big Brother.

Key Moments

  • Winston and Julia's affair begins: Winston and Julia secretly meet and start their rebellious love affair against the Party.
  • O'Brien's betrayal: O'Brien reveals himself as a loyal Party member and betrays Winston and Julia.
  • Room 101 torture: Winston faces his worst fear in Room 101, leading to his ultimate psychological breakdown.

Main Characters

  • Winston Smith: Protagonist, disillusioned Party member, seeks rebellion.
  • Julia: Winston's lover, anti-Party, desires personal freedom.
  • O'Brien: Deceptive Inner Party member, betrays Winston

The dystopian future with pervasive surveillance and totalitarian control creates an oppressive atmosphere that underscores the themes of dehumanization, loss of individuality, and the terrifying power of authoritarianism.

Continue down for the complete summary to 1984

Takeaways

  • Totalitarian Dystopia: "1984" warns of the dangers of a totalitarian government using fear, surveillance, and propaganda to control.
  • Intrusive Surveillance: Big Brother symbolizes intrusive governance, showing how surveillance shapes behavior more than actual governance.
  • Thought Control: The Thought Police exemplify extreme privacy violations, where even thoughts are controlled, reflecting modern digital surveillance concerns.
 

Emma Baldwin

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

1984 by George Orwell opens in April of 1984. After vaguely described disastrous wars and economic collapses, the world has been divided up into continent-spanning superpowers. The novel focuses on Airstrip One, part of Oceania. The totalitarian Party rules with “Ingsoc”, a shortening of English Socialism. They do not tolerate opposition in any form, even negative thoughts about the Party are a crime (Thought Crime). At the center of the Party is a mysterious figurehead who goes by the name of Big Brother. He is never seen, but is omnipresent, watching citizens from their TVs, posters, and money. Big Brother is a source of fear, but also adoration. He is, as the posters state, always watching. This is a reference to the enormous amount of surveillance the party and the Thought Police utilize on every street, in every building, and in every room. 

The palpable dread that Big Brother instills, a figure both revered and feared, mirrors the complex relationship we often hold with authority. Orwell ingeniously taps into this psychological conflict, exploring the dichotomy between the human desire for safety and the equally strong yearning for personal freedom.

In terms of the rising action, the protagonist of the novel, Winston Smith, is a member of the Outer Party. He has a job in the Ministry of Truth that places him at the level of an office worker. Winston is responsible for rewriting history by destroying and rewriting newspaper articles. Often this means erasing from the record those who have been disappeared by the Party (become “unpersons”) or rearranging events in order to suit a new narrative promoted by the state. Winston hates the Party and is miserable in his everyday life. 

Winston is seen at the beginning of the novel with a diary he bought from Mr. Charrington, the owner of a secondhand shop. He has to hide the book whenever he writes in it so that the television (telescreen) can’t see it. Winston meets Julia at the Ministry of Truth and initially expects that she’s spying on him. Later, after handing him a note confessing her love for him, Julia and Winston draw close to one another. This is a serious act of treason against the party as all relationships are supposed to be conducted only for the creation of children. Julia also dislikes the party, but she’s more interested in escaping than becoming part of a revolution.

Reflecting on Winston’s secret acts of rebellion, such as his diary, strikes a poignant chord. It reminds me of the profound necessity of personal spaces and thoughts in an increasingly monitored world. Winston’s diary is not merely an act of defiance; it is an existential assertion of self in a world that seeks to deny such autonomy.

Winston also speaks with Syme, someone who is working on the creation of the newest “Newspeak” dictionary and is responsible for erasing words from the English language. He, Winston thinks, is too smart and is, in the end, a danger to himself.

Julia and Winston meet up for the first time in a room above Mr. Charrington’s shop. There, Winston tells Julia about his relationship, or lack thereof, with his wife Katharine. 

The turning point of the novel comes over the following days, Winston notices that Syme has disappeared as Winston predicted. Winston is also approached by O’Brien, his supervisor and someone who Winston thinks is a member of the group working to overthrow the Party (The Brotherhood). O’Brien shares a book with Winston, The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism by Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein is one of the Party’s main enemies and the leader of a rebellion against the state. The book informs Julia and Winston about how the Party works. It inspires and confirms to Winston that the Party can be defeated if the “proles” or lower class, rise up. 

The encounter with O’Brien and the forbidden book opens a Pandora’s box of revolutionary ideas for Winston. This moment resonates with me as a reflection on the power of ideas as weapons against oppression-a reminder that knowledge can ignite the sparks of rebellion.

We approach the climax at this point in the novel. Just when Winston is starting to think that he’s going to be able to join the fight against the Party, it is revealed that Mr. Charrington is a member of the Thought Police. He turned in Winston and Julia who are both captured and taken to the Ministry of Love. There, Winston comes into contact with other characters from the novel who have all been arrested for various reasons. O’Brien enters into the scene, revealing that he too was an agent of the state. The previous months of gaining Winston’s trust were nothing more than an elaborate way of ensnaring him. 

Winston is trapped in the Ministry of Truth for a number of months. Over this period his mind is rearranged through torture and humiliation. He’s forced to confront his deepest fear in Room 101. For Winston, this means rats. It proves to be the thing that makes Winston betray Julia. 

The falling action occurs later, after he has been successfully brainwashed, he is released. Winston and Julia, who was also tortured, meet again in a park but the two longer have any interest in one another. The novel concludes with Winston celebrating the reported victory over Eurasia and reveling in his newfound love for the Party. 

The resolution of the story can be seen to be the tragic end of Winston’s journey, embracing the love for Big Brother, serves as a somber meditation on the corrosive effects of totalitarianism on the human psyche. It leaves me pondering the resilience of the human spirit and the price of peace at the expense of freedom.

1984 by George Orwell Digital Art

1984 Quiz

Step into the dystopian world of George Orwell's 1984! Are you ready to test your knowledge of Big Brother, Newspeak, and Oceania? Take the challenge now and prove your mastery of Orwell's 1984!

1 / 20

What is the name of the Party's leader in 1984?

2 / 20

Where does Winston work?

3 / 20

What does Winston secretly purchase from the antique shop?

4 / 20

Who is Julia in 1984?

5 / 20

What does the character of Julia symbolize in the novel?

6 / 20

How does the Party control the past?

7 / 20

Which phrase best captures the concept of "thoughtcrime"?

8 / 20

What is the significance of the Chestnut Tree Café in 1984?

9 / 20

What is Room 101?

10 / 20

What is the slogan of the Party?

11 / 20

What does Winston discover about Mr. Charrington?

12 / 20

What does O'Brien use to torture Winston in Room 101?

13 / 20

Who is the supposed leader of the Brotherhood?

14 / 20

What does Winston write in his secret journal?

15 / 20

What is the main setting of 1984?

16 / 20

What does the character of O'Brien represent in the novel?

17 / 20

What does Winston read to learn about the Party’s true nature?

18 / 20

Which of the following best describes the concept of doublethink?

19 / 20

Who does Winston believe has the power to overthrow the Party?

20 / 20

What is the primary function of the Ministry of Plenty?

Your score is

The average score is 71%

Join Book Analysis for Free!

Exclusive to Members

Get access now

Save Your Favorites

Less Ads

Free Newsletter

Comment with Literary Experts

Emma Baldwin

About Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Discover the secrets to learning and enjoying literature.

Join Book Analysis

Learn More

Share to...