Reflection on the Ministry of Truth in “1984"

In George Orwell’s novel 1984, protagonist Winston Smith works at a government building entitled the Ministry of Truth, or Minitrue (in his national language of Newspeak). The building itself is monstrous and composed of “glittering white concrete” (4). The edifice is huge and stark white so as to contrast the decrepit and dark housing complexes that the citizens must live in. On the front of the building there are the nation’s Party Slogans that read “War is Peace,” “Freedom is Slavery,” and “Ignorance is Strength” (4). These slogans define the ideals of this totalitarian society, one that relies on battle, oppression and unconsciousness. The Minitrue specifically focuses on news and entertainment. Winston’s job at the office is to alter “every kind of literature or documentation which might conceivably hold any political or ideological significance” (40). The nation of Oceania is led by an all-powerful and revered leader named Big Brother. Big Brother’s government officials, like Winston, aid him in remaining honest and respected. Although this honesty is not genuine,  for the Minitrue seeks to destroy all evidence of the government lying and suppress any individuals or occurrences that go against Oceania’s totalitarian regime.
The Ministry and it’s actions mirror those of dictator Joseph Stalin and his Soviet Union. Stalin ordered the purge of individuals that were against the newly formulated Communist government. Officials tried to remove influential figures from documentation and thus change Soviet history. This shaping of the past was done through censoring news, altering images and demolishing film. Political opponents of Stalin, similar to Big Brother, were edited out of history as they fell out of favor with the leader.