What Is The Meaning Of Ignorance Is Strength In 1984

In Orwell’s 1984, ‘ignorance is strength’ is a motto of the Party, their government, while in our society, the government imposes the adverse belief: ignorance is weakness, and knowledge is strength. The phrase ‘ignorance is strength’ in 1984 can have many meanings, and it does mean different things to different people. No matter what, though, it gives one social group an upper hand over the other. This proves that today’s culture is the flip of Orwell’s futuristic one. In actuality, all social groups have the same rights as well the same control. The government works with the citizens to give them natural, equal opportunity. In 1984, the Party simply controls its citizens, who are forced to live with strange rules that give them almost no opportunity or authority.
Throughout 1984, Winton has a pessimistic view of the Party’s philosophy. Winston pertinaciously believes that ‘ignorance is strength’ means that if the people of Oceania are ignorant to the true intentions of the Party, which is to have complete control over them, the Party will be stronger. O’Brien confirms these thoughts when he says “The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested …show more content…

In some cases, while the slogan gives the Party complete power, it leaves proles unaware of what could truly save them. Meanwhile, in other points of view, the slogan makes the Party vulnerable and puts the proles in a powerful position. These views of the slogan show a huge contrast to our society. In the real world, the complete opposite of ‘ignorance of strength’ is true. Humans strive towards more knowledge in order to have strength. Knowledge helps to solve a mystery or learn about disease or help others in need. It does not lead to weakness, as the Party’s slogan suggests. In reality, ignorance is looked down upon by the government. The society enforced in 1984 is the complete opposite of the way the world truly