Key Facts: George Orwell's 1984
Publication Details
- Author: George Orwell (pen name of Eric Arthur Blair)
- Published: 8 June 1949
- Publisher: Secker and Warburg
- Genre: Dystopian fiction, political fiction, social science fiction
Setting
- Takes place in 1984 (35 years after the book was written)
- Location: London, Airstrip One (formerly Great Britain)
- Part of Oceania, one of three global superstates
The world is divided into three superstates constantly at war: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The story never leaves London, but the global context is crucial to understanding the plot.
Main Characters
- Winston Smith: The protagonist, a 39-year-old man working in the Records Department
- Julia: Winston's lover and fellow rebel against the Party
- O'Brien: Inner Party member who pretends to be a resistance leader
- Big Brother: The figurehead leader of Oceania (may or may not actually exist)
Major Themes
- Totalitarianism and Control
- Surveillance and Privacy
- Language and Truth
- Memory and History
- Love and Loyalty
When analyzing 1984, always consider how these themes interconnect. For example, the control of language (Newspeak) directly affects people's ability to think and remember.
Key Concepts
- Newspeak: The official language designed to make complex thought impossible
