Freedom and Slavery Reversed

Theme flow exploring how the Party redefines freedom as submission.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Slogan's Paradox

The Slogan's Paradox The Explanation Winston reads the slogan 'Freedom is Slavery' on the Ministry of Truth. The Party means that true freedom is impossible and that obedience to the Party is freedom. The Twist O'Brien later says it is reversible: 'Slavery is freedom.' The individual who submits entirely is all-powerful and immortal. The Trap The words are designed to trap thought itself. By calling slavery freedom, the Party eliminates the language of protest.

Winston's Definition

Winston's Definition The Axiom Winston writes, 'Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.' This is the commonsense foundation of sanity. The Challenge The Party denies even this. It controls memory, history, and the very meaning of numbers, so freedom of speech becomes freedom to speak the Party's lie. The Hope For Winston, the axiom is the last fortress of the human mind. He will not surrender it until pain makes the fortress uninhabitable.

The Final Freedom

The Final Freedom The Prisoner's Acceptance Winston finally understands that 'freedom is slavery' is not a slogan but a description of his own existence. He is a slave, and he is happy. The Conversion of the Word The word 'freedom' has been emptied of meaning. Winston no longer desires to say anything except what the Party says. In this way, he is free. The Sadness The moment he loves Big Brother, he believes he has won a victory. But the victory is the greatest defeat, because the human spirit is gone.

from the beginning

in the diary, Part I

after the conversion