1984 Final

The doctrine that O’Brien proclaims to Winston in this passage of the novel helps to reveal how the system of oligarchical collectivism is maintained in Oceania. In his hopes to convert Winston back to a follower of the government, O’Brien is brainwashing him by trying to convince him that he has lost his sanity and that is why he does not believe in the party. O’Brien explains that the reality that Winston believes is true is not correct, he says that Winston is diluting himself by thinking that the true reality exists in his mind. INGSOC the only reality that matters is the reality of the party. Whatever the party believes to be the truth is the truth no matter what.

The party is able to control the people by controlling their entire way of life. The party controls what they do, say, think, and even feel. With this form of deep mind control and deception the party is able to form the society to what they want it to be. The party’s slogan is War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength. War keeps the people united in hatred against another party, creating peace in Oceania. Freedom is a form of slavery, the word slavery scares the people away from wanting freedom. Ignorance to what is going on around them creates strength in the party. Even though this slogan seems completely nonsensical the people believe so strongly in the government they will believe anything they say.

This strong arm so to say that the INGSOC has on the people prevents them from being separate thinking beings. Winston having his own mind is what has led him into the predicament of being against the government. But this cannot last, as O’Brien has stated Winston must relearn and choose to live by the party’s rules. Without this Winston will not be sane or able to function in the society of Oceania.

The doctrine that O’Brien proclaims not only reveals how oligarchical collectivism is maintained in Oceania, it also foreshadows Winston’s ultimate fate. O’Brien firmly and clearly states that he must relearn to live by that party’s lifestyle. This statement does not seem so importance at first but after finishing the novel we can see that by this O’Brien meant that Winston was going to be forced to submit to the party and change his beliefs in order to survive.