Ministries

"The Ministry of Truth, which concerned itself with news, entertainment, education and the fine arts; the Ministry of Peace, which concerned itself with war; the Ministry of Love, which maintained law and order; and the Ministry of Plenty, which was responsible for economic affairs." (Orwell 4).

This passage, describing the jobs of the four Ministries run by the Party, is another good example of the way Big Brother wants the people of Oceania to think. He wants them not to question or think twice about anything, but to trust everything he tells them. Therefore, there are many things that to us make no sense and are totally absurd, but nobody questions them because they are what Big Brother says is true and right, which is what the principal of "doublethink" is. These Ministries are examples of this; Winston works in the Ministry of Truth and, since they control the news, they change it to fit what Big Brother says is the "truth"; it is not really the truth at all. It is paradoxical and silly that the Ministry of Peace controls the wars ("War is Peace,") and that the Ministry of Love controls the punishment of criminals and thoughtcriminals; these things are backwards but people accept them anyway. The Ministry of Plenty controls the economic affairs, which would suggest, by the name, that the economy was fine and people had plenty; however, this is not the case, as many people are severely lacking in finances and essentials; food and clothes are rationed. These things are illogical and backwards, but are accepted by the people anyway, which is what Big Brother wants.