1984 Answer 3

People can learn from the past and apply that information to create a better future. When something goes wrong, we learn from our mistakes and make progress after time. But what if there was no past? One would create the same mistakes over and over again without ever learning because that information was lost to them. Take it one step further; what if you could control the past? People would remember any information that you gave them, instead of what actually happened; essentially creating your own future.

In 1984, the Party controls the past in the present. By destroying any evidence of a past through newspapers, pictures, or books people begin to forget their memories of the past. When memorizes become fuzzy and old the Party then creates their own version of the past that they want citizens to remember. When they have this new past in motion, the party is now able to control the future. With the power and authority the Party contains they are able to control the past, present, and future.

With this new knowledge one can ask, is the past we know actually real? How do we know someone didn't start making lies or telling different versions of a story and that new version became the old one? In order to keep the past true physical evidence is much more reliable then spoken words. Historical reality does exist but the ability to change fact and make it a lie is very possible.

By controlling all elements of information in the past, present, and future you also control in immense amount of power. Through this power you exert authority on an entire nation to do whatever you please; having control over all aspects of peoples lives. To control time, events, and essentially life you have all characteristics of a god and that amount of power in any one mans hands is extremely dangerous.