Title: 1984: Setting | SparkNotes
Headings: 1984
1984
Content: and Eurasia, composed of the northern part of the European and Asiatic land-mass, from Portugal to the Bering Strait. We might assume from the title that the novel is set in the year 1984, but we never actually know for sure. Because of the way that the Ingsoc Party controls and rewrites history, Winston does not know what the year is, but only suspects that it is 1984. The city of London is divided between three distinct social groups. The Inner Party lives in relative comfort with servants and access to luxury goods. The Outer Party, of which Winston is a member, lives in stark, dilapidated conditions with very little control over their personal space or property. The lowest social group, the proles, live in poorly maintained slums where the Party does not attempt to exert much control, but also does not provide support or opportunity. The city is dominated by four large mega-structures that represent the four ministries of the Party. The names of these departments are intentionally misleading and, in fact, the exact opposite of the function of each office. The Ministry of Love is in charge of law and punishment, the Ministry of Peace controls war, the Ministry of Plenty manages rationing, and the Ministry of Truth produces propaganda.