Goldstein’s Book-The Theory and Practice of Oligarchy and Collectivism
Well that’s a mouthful, now isn’t it? Let’s try to break this book down and really get to the heart of what Orwell is trying to show us about governments and how they work. Once we’re able to do that, we can debate if what Orwell says is true or not.
First of all, what’s an oligarchy?
What is collectivism?
Chapter 1- Ignorance is Strength
Think for a second. How can the Peoples’ ignorance become strength for the government?
What are the three types of people he says are in the world?
What are some real world connections that we can draw from the motto “ignorance is strength” and from the need to have three different groups of people?
Do we see it here in the US?
Chapter 3-War is Peace
In 1984, the world has been split into three super-states (according to Goldstein this was foreseen before the middle of the 20th century—who knew!).
Which modern day countries make up the following super-states?
East Asia=
Eurasia=
Oceania=
The three super-states are always at war. How long have they been at war? ______
The book says that war is “no longer the desperate, annihilating struggle that it was in the early decades of the twentieth century…” (185) and that these are wars that “have limited aims by combatants who are unable to destroy one another , have no material cause for fighting, and are not divided by any genuine ideological difference” (Orwell 186). So why fight? Let’s get to the bottom of what’s really going on.
Look on page 188. What is the primary goal of modern-warfare?
Look on page 189-190. Why is having a wealthy population a negative thing in the eyes of the government?
Look on page 191. Goldstein states that, “The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labor”. If this is true, then why fight? List two ways war allows governments to control their people.
1.
2.
Look at page 193. What are the two aims of the Party?
1.
2.
What are the two problems that the Party faces in its attempt to attain these goals?
1.
2.
Turn to page 194. Find the passage, “What is more remarkable is that all three super powers already possess, in the atomic bomb, a weapon far more powerful than any that their present researchers are likely to discover”. What effect does possessing the atomic bomb have on society? What do the governments continue to do (according to both the book and in your own knowledge)? What effect does the bomb have on wars? (Part of the answer you will find on 195. However, to answer it in full, you will have to use your very large brains and state your opinion).
Turn to page 196. Why is it, “absolutely necessary…that there should be no contact with foreigners except, to a limited extent with war prisoners…”?
At the very the bottom of page 196 and continuing on 197, this thought is expanded further. What are Ingsoc, Neo-Bolshevim and (translated) Death-Worship? How does the rule of not contacting foreigners strengthen the idea of “ignorance is strength”?
Are there any real world connections that you can draw to this?
How is war peace, according to Goldstein (Orwell)? The answer can be found on page 199.
And finally, since we live in a country with freedoms as well as the ability to make criticisms against what we feel is wrong (something many countries cannot do, a luxury we often take for granted). What do you think? Is Goldstein/Orwell right? Are we pawns to the government in some respects? Does the government have its own agenda or is it looking after our best interests? Give examples of whatever you choose to write about.