Oceania in 1984 by George Orwell | Overview & Symbolism - Lesson | Study.com
English Courses / Course

Oceania in 1984 by George Orwell | Overview & Symbolism

Kristin Wilson, Kaitlin Oglesby
  • Author
    Kristin Wilson

    Kristin has taught English to children and adults for over two years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Cincinnati. She also has a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate and experience leading university-level classes in several subjects.

  • Instructor
    Kaitlin Oglesby

    Kaitlin has a BA in political science and extensive experience working in the business world as Director of Marketing and Business Development at a financial advice firm.

Explore the country of Oceania in George Orwell's 1984. Learn about its characteristics, its role in the plot, the social structure of the country, and its symbolic meaning. Updated: 11/21/2023

Table of Contents

Show
Frequently Asked Questions

What does Oceania represent in 1984?

Oceania represents the total control that the Party has over the people. The laws and ways of Oceania create a setting of complete manipulation and power that is inescapable.

Is Oceania real in 1984?

Oceania is not a real country. However, it is made up of real modern-day countries, including the United States, England, Australia, and many others.

Does Oceania fall in 1984?

Oceania does not fall in the end of 1984. Winston's plans to overthrow the government are unsuccessful, and he is tortured back into submission to Big Brother.

Table of Contents

Show

Oceania in 1984

Oceania is the fictional totalitarian state that acts as the setting for the novel 1984 by George Orwell. It is one of three massive states that are constantly at war with each other, with the other two being Eurasia and Eastasia. According to the in-novel text titled, The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism by Emmanuel Goldstein, Oceania was formed after the merging of the United States and the British Empire, and it is composed of the entirety of the Americas, Australasia, southern Africa, and the British Isles. It has the largest geographical area out of the three states and consists mainly of English speakers. This allows the government to create their own language, Newspeak, which is essentially a simplified version of English. Newspeak lacks words for certain subversive concepts, tightening the government's hold on people's thoughts.

Though the novel's plot takes place in London, the country of England is now known as Airstrip One. The structures and way of life have been changed so much that London is likely unrecognizable from its former existence. Many buildings have been torn down or repurposed, and those that were built by the government are large, foreboding structures, built to intimidate anyone that walks by. This intimidation factor is how the ruling government, the Party, maintains their authoritarian practices over their people.

This lesson will discuss various things related to Oceania, including what life is like there, the political environment, and what Oceania symbolizes in 1984.


Oceania is comprised of many modern-day countries across the world. The events of the novel take place in London, though England is now known as Airstrip One.
Oceania in 1984 is comprised of many modern-day countries, including England.


To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

An error occurred trying to load this video.

Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.

Coming up next: Telescreens in 1984 by George Orwell | Purpose & Quotes

You're on a roll. Keep up the good work!

Take Quiz Watch Next Lesson
 Replay
Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds
  • 0:05 Three Worlds
  • 0:42 Where Is Oceania?
  • 1:30 What Is Oceania Like?
  • 2:36 Social Structure of Oceania
  • 3:22 Lesson Summary
View Video Only Save Timeline

Life in Oceania


The class system in Oceania is very unequal, resulting in sharp disparities between the impoverished proles and the wealthy Inner Party.
Oceania in 1984 thrives on inequality between classes.


It is quite clear from early on in the novel that life in Oceania is not ideal, and that only becomes more obvious as the plot progresses.

The people of Oceania are separated into three distinct classes: the Inner Party, the Outer Party, and the proles. The Inner Party is the elite, wealthy class. They rule Oceania and establish dominance over the other citizens. They have access to many luxurious items that the others cannot have, like better food and nicer apartments, and they live their lives with far more privacy. The Outer Party is the class that the main character of the novel, Winston Smith, is a part of. The people in this class are responsible for many of the jobs that keep Oceania running. They live in state-appointed apartments and only have limited access to food and other items, which are rationed out to them. The proles, short for the proletariats, are the lowest class. They live in run-down areas with access to very little, but they also live largely out of the government's eye. They can spend their times in bars, and they spend a large portion of their money on the state-run lottery, which is a scam that never pays out.

Oceania itself is described as quite a miserable place. Many parts are lackluster and run down, resulting in a bleak setting for the people. Additionally, Oceania is constantly at war with either Eastasia or Eurasia. This results in regular bombings, rationing of goods, and constant propaganda from the government. Everything created in Oceania is made with a focus on efficiency, which means that nothing is made to be beautiful. Not much is said in the novel regarding the areas in Oceania outside of Airstrip One, but it is easy to assume that they are just as bleak.

How Oceania's Politics Influences the Plot

The ruling government of Oceania, the Party, operates under the rules of Ingsoc, or English Socialism. They are led by the omnipresent figure Big Brother, though his actual existence is never confirmed nor denied. Although Ingsoc has "socialism" in its name, it rejects many ideas of socialism, and instead exists solely to increase the power and control of the government. Winston believes that the proles are the only hope for overthrowing the ruling government, as they make up 85% of the population and are largely disconnected from the Party.

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

Register to view this lesson

Are you a student or a teacher?

Unlock Your Education

See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com

Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a Member  Back

Resources created by teachers for teachers

Over 30,000 video lessons & teaching resources‐all in one place.
Video lessons
Quizzes & Worksheets
Classroom Integration
Lesson Plans

I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. It’s like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. I feel like it’s a lifeline.

Jennifer B.
Teacher
Jennifer B.
Try it now
Create an account to start this course today
Used by over 30 million students worldwide
Create an account