Cracking THE BOOK in 1984

Comrades,

"Part Two" of George Orwell's 1984 is thematically significant for its explication of The Party philosophy that undergirds Ingsoc, newspeak for the so-called movement of English socialism. Really, Ingsoc and The Party are part of what Emmanuel Goldstein more accurately names "Oligarchical Collectivism" in the title of his work that Winston reads in chapter IX (nine) of 1984. In his "The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectism," Goldstein explains the historical roots, logic and contradictions of The Party slogan advertised at the beginning of 1984. Winston, however, focuses primarily on that part of the Ministry of Truth's banner which reads: "Ignorance is Strength," and "War is Peace."

That said, I would like you to delve into Goldstein's essay, giving an in-depth, textually supported summary and interpretation of, first, what he means by "oligarchical collectivism" and secondly, what the phrases, "ignorance is strength" and "war is peace" essentially mean. You decide the length of this piece, which will likely exceed the structured, five-paragraph format.

Please follow MLA guideliness for quoting, summarizing and paraphrasing that are explained in the packet I gave you a few weeks ago.

This is a 25 point assignment that will start the fourth quarter.

It is due by hard copy on Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

Big Brother