Themes

Totalitarianism

One of the main themes of Nineteen Eighty-Four is totalitarianism, as many sections of the book are focused on describing ‘the perfect totalitarian state’. Historically, most totalitarian states have eventually been removed by war, revolution or political reforms. However, the totalitarian state described in the novel is specifically designed to be immune to all of these threats (pp. 215-226), and it is hinted that it may be able to exist forever, because the rulers are more aware of the threats to their power than in previous totalitarian states such as Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany.

The Party's only goal is preserving power for its own sake, and this desire to remain in power makes it flexible enough to keep following its own ideals and crush any opposition.  

Surveillance

Nineteen Eighty-Four is heavily focused on the theme of government surveillance, as it takes place in a society where citizens are watched constantly....