Chapter 3

This is a big one - we are introduced to the revisionist history of 1984 and Doublethink.

1. Explain and assess the Party’s slogan, “Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.” Does this concept apply to any ruling countries today? (discussion/response)
2. What is doublethink and why is it necessary in order to survive under Big Brother’s control? Does this take place in the world we live in?
3. Discuss how the Party uses propaganda to vilify capitalism while promoting the Party’s control.

Though we can easily perceive Doublethink and the revision of history as evil, are these necessary evils? Should these practices be encouraged?