1984 is the year in which it happens. The world is divided into three great powers, Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia, each perpetually at war with the other. Throughout Oceania ‘The Party’ rules by the agency of four minis­tries, whose power is absolute – the Ministry of Peace which deals with war, the Ministry of Love (headquarters of the dreaded Thought Police) which deals with law and order, the Ministry of Plenty which deals in scarcities, and the Ministry of Truth which deals with propaganda.

‘Newspeak’ is the modern version of the English tongue ordained by the Party. It has given to the world such re­markable words as doublethink, thoughtcrime, plusgood, and sexcrime ("love" in today’s English). In every room throughout the land, including the lavatories, a telescreen is installed, which can never be switched off, and by this means the authorities keep a check on every action, word, gesture, or thought.

Against this nightmare background is played out the drama of Winston Smith, possibly the last man alive to rebel against the Party’s rule and doctrines.