1984 Post 8: Why Oceania?

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As I was on the last couple of chapters, there was one thing that struck me out of the blue that I could not seem to shake, why is it called Oceania? Every time I hear Oceania I think of a few things: the word Ocean that makes up majority of the word, I think of the pronunciation of the word (Oshi-ana), and I think of the brand Ocean Spray that sells cranberries. Towards the end of the book I notice the is explains how Oceania came to be, it said Oceania is made up of the United States and the British Empire. It never elaborated on the significance of the name they gave there no nation. I considered possible ideas for the authors reasoning behind “Oceania” but many of my thoughts did not make sense to me. The best thing I care up with was that since “Ocean” is the base for the word, I think “maybe it’s because the two separate places are now considered one even though there is a ocean between them?” Considering its two neighboring nations that constantly go into and out of war with: Eurasia and Eastasia, I realize their names are both based on Geography, I thought that would be a reason for Oceania. However, Eurasia has no aspect of Asia in it, only Russia and Europe. Leaving me once again with no real reasoning behind the name, or all names that is. While it is a relevant detail in the book, it is not so crucial that it would change the plot in any way, but I would like to know the thought process behind the names that were chosen for the book, but from what I know, I come to the conclusion that it was more a superficial aspect of the names with no significance behind it. Just which ones sounded best in the authors opinion when it came to writing it.

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