The phrase "ignorance is strength" appears in George Orwell's 1984, a novel that satirizes the role of government in our lives. ... The phrase means that the ruling class is able to maintain power and control by keeping the rest of the population ignorant.

How is ignorance strength ironic?

By using this propaganda technique, the Party forces subjects to follow anything it decrees, no matter how illogical it is. Therefore, this ironic slogan shows the reality lurking behind it. Therefore, this paradoxical phrase strengthens the image that reality is distorted in order to confound the common people.

What figure of speech is ignorance is strength?

Paradox: Paradoxes completely contradicts itself in the same sentence. One of the famous quotes from George Orwell's "1984" that illustrate this include: "War is peace. Ignorance is strength.