07.12.2017 - 16:46 [ enotes.com ]

In 1984, what do these 3 slogans mean: War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength?

At first glance, these slogans seem to be contradictory and illogical. And, they pretty much are, but the society in 1984 is run by a group of people that have pretty much brainwashed or intimidated the entire population into believing whatever sort of nonsense they promote. So, these three slogans are lived by and sworn by, and the essence of everything that the Party represents. Each of these three slogans have double meanings–one for the Party and one for the people as a whole.