In George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, London is referred to as Airstrip One, which serves a significant purpose in the context of the story. The term reflects the concept of a fragmented world where the superstates of Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia have emerged due to global war and political upheaval.
Airstrip One is the name given to Great Britain by the ruling Party, symbolizing its status as a strategic and somewhat marginalized territory rather than a powerful nation on its own. The use of ‘Airstrip’ highlights the importance of military power and control in the narrative. It suggests that London, instead of being a cultural or historical center, has become merely a launching point for aerial bombers and surveillance in the constant conflict.
Furthermore, the name underscores the totalitarian regime’s control over the populace. The renaming of cities and countries is a common tactic in totalitarian societies to reinforce their ideology and eliminate individual identity. Thus, ‘Airstrip One’ serves as a chilling reminder of the loss of freedom and the reduction of London’s identity to a mere military function within a broader oppressive system.