Extension MAIN THEMES OF 1984 The text explores various themes, though most of them revolve around its foremost , which is a sort of warning about what could happen should a completely totalitarian regime take hold and gain too much power. 1 2 In Oceania, the Party wants to reduce the number of words people know in order to control them better. Orwell based this idea on the theory of linguistic determinism according to which we can only have thoughts for which we have words because we cannot have thoughts which do not correspond to a word. Words, in fact, are not tools to express thoughts, but rather conditions for thoughts. Language. The Party changes or deletes past records for two main reasons. On the one hand, it aims to eliminate any opportunities for comparison with previous and more pleasant events or memories to avoid disappointment and discontent with present reality. On the other hand, it cannot afford to be proven wrong or to be caught red-handed because this would erode the trust and reliability its citizens should have in their infallible leaders. Manipulation of the past. 3 4 : to move around a central point. : most important. : in the act of doing something wrong or illegal. : to slowly reduce or destroy. 1. revolve 2. foremost 3. red-handed 4. erode