1984 Blog-- Ministry of Truth Reflection

     In class, we learned that the Ministry of Truth, also known as minitrue, is the ministry that is in charge of the news, entertainment, education, and fine arts. Basically, this means this group of people is in charge of molding the population's opinions and shaping the future generations thoughts and aspirations. This seems very dangerous especially because of the extreme bias displayed in favor of Big Brother and his Party. In chapter 4, it becomes Winston's job to use an old, complicated speakwrite in order to alter the original documents to make them correspond with the newer, later versions. The level of corruption is high. The Ministries changes are often what ignite the sense of doublethink in the people. The example Winston gives in the book was with the chocolate rations, and how the Ministry of Plenty tried to convince the people they were getting a greater portion, even though the amount of chocolate they received was in fact reduced. The people probably realized this, but chose not to acknowledge it at all. 

     In Oceania, they do not have a solid written constitution like we have in the United States. Here, we abide all our laws by the document written by our Founding Fathers as it sets the foundation for our entire country. But in Oceania, whenever Big Brother feels like it, they can adjust the former laws to their liking. This leaves room for corruption and space for Big Brother and his party to take complete totalitarian control. We learn that the workers in the Ministry of Truth must alter all their works to coincide with the doctrine of the party. This includes sports, astrology, short stories, literature, and even pornography; all to influence Oceania's population about the party. 

     I question the productivity and intelligence level of the people in charge of the Ministry of Truth and the party because of the comparison on page 44. There is a huge difference between Newspeak and Oldspeak. Oldspeak looks like the modern English language we read today, but the Newspeak translation looks exactly like something a young child would type up nonchalantly. I think that this even brings more of a negative connotation towards not only Big Brother and the Party but also the Ministry of Truth.