The World of 1984: Oceania, Eurasia, Eastasia and Airstrip One
1984 takes place in a world divided into three giant superstates, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia, which are permanently at war. The hero, Winston Smith, lives in London, the chief city of Airstrip One, the province of Oceania that was once Britain.
Oceania is ruled by the Party under the image of Big Brother, and its society is split into the Inner Party, the Outer Party and the proles.
| Place | What it is |
|---|---|
| Oceania | The Americas, the British Isles, Australia and southern Africa |
| Eurasia | Europe and the Soviet Union, from Portugal to the Bering Strait |
| Eastasia | China, Japan, Korea and the lands around them |
| Airstrip One | Former Britain, a province of Oceania |
| London | Winston's ruined, shabby home city |
| Disputed area | A belt from Tangier to Brazzaville, Darwin and Hong Kong |
What are Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia?
After a nuclear war in the 1950s and decades of revolutions, the world has been absorbed into three superstates. Oceania covers the Americas, the British Isles, Australia and the southern part of Africa. Eurasia stretches across Europe and the former Soviet Union. Eastasia is the smallest and includes China, Japan and the countries around them.
All three have nearly identical systems: Ingsoc in Oceania, Neo-Bolshevism in Eurasia and a philosophy of self-obliteration in Eastasia. None can conquer the others.
↑ Back to the topWhy are they always at war?
The superstates fight over a disputed belt of land and sea, roughly between Tangier, Brazzaville, Darwin and Hong Kong, rich in cheap labor. According to the forbidden book that Winston reads, the war is never meant to be won. It uses up surplus goods so people stay poor, and it keeps the population afraid and loyal. Oceania's enemy changes from Eurasia to Eastasia in the middle of a speech during Hate Week, and the Party instantly claims it has always been at war with Eastasia.
↑ Back to the topWhat is London like in 1984?
London is gray, dirty and half-ruined. Rocket bombs fall regularly. Winston lives in Victory Mansions, a decaying block of flats where the elevator never works and the halls smell of boiled cabbage. Giant posters of Big Brother look down from every wall. The ministries rise above the city in four enormous white pyramids, while the proles live in crowded slums.
↑ Back to the topWhat are the four ministries?
Oceania is run by four ministries whose names mean the opposite of what they do. The Ministry of Truth handles news, entertainment and education, and rewrites history. The Ministry of Peace runs the war. The Ministry of Love maintains order through arrests and torture. The Ministry of Plenty manages the economy and constant shortages.
↑ Back to the topHow is society organized in Oceania?
At the top is Big Brother, the face of the Party. Below him is the Inner Party, about two percent of the population, which holds real power and enjoys comforts like good food and servants. The Outer Party, about thirteen percent, are the officials and clerks like Winston, constantly watched by telescreens. The remaining majority are the proles, poor manual workers who are left largely free because the Party considers them harmless.
↑ Back to the topMore about 1984
This guide discusses the whole plot, including the ending.