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What power do common people have in the world of Orwell-Ps 1984? How does Orwell treat the proles? What does Winston think about proles? Describe your point of view about Winston’s expression: ‘if there was hope, it must lie in the proles.”
Sample Answer
The Power of the Proles in Orwell’s 1984
George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, presents a grim portrayal of a totalitarian society where Big Brother exerts complete control over its citizens. In this oppressive regime, the common people, known as the proles, hold a unique position. While they lack political influence and awareness, Orwell treats the proles as potential agents of change. Winston Smith, the protagonist, expresses hope in their ability to challenge the Party’s oppressive rule. This essay will explore the power dynamics within Orwell’s 1984, how Orwell treats the proles, and analyze Winston’s expression, “if there was hope, it must lie in the proles.”
In the world of 1984, the proles represent the majority of the population, making up approximately 85% of Oceania’s inhabitants. However, they are largely excluded from political affairs, living in poverty and ignorance. The Party suppresses their intellectual development through limited education and distracts them with mindless entertainment. Despite their marginalized state, the proles possess an inherent power that stems from their sheer numbers.
Orwell treats the proles as an underclass that the Party regards as inconsequential and insignificant to their grip on power. While they are allowed a certain degree of freedom compared to Party members, they lack awareness of their own oppression. The Party ensures that the proles remain detached from any significant political agency by providing them with basic necessities and a constant stream of distractions. By doing so, the Party effectively neutralizes any potential threat from this large population.
However, Winston Smith sees hope in the proles. He believes that if any resistance or rebellion against the Party is to occur, it will emerge from the proles. Winston recognizes that the Party’s control is not absolute over this group due to their sheer numbers and potential for collective action. He views them as a sleeping giant that could awaken and challenge the totalitarian regime.
Winston expresses his hope in the proles through his statement, “if there was hope, it must lie in the proles.” This sentiment reflects his realization that the middle and upper classes are too entrenched in Party ideology to rebel effectively. The proles, on the other hand, possess an untapped potential for resistance due to their ignorance and lack of indoctrination.
While Winston’s expression suggests optimism for change, it is important to note that it also reveals his desperation. His hope in the proles stems from a lack of alternatives rather than concrete evidence of their ability to bring about change. Orwell portrays Winston’s belief as a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak and oppressive world.
From my perspective, Winston’s expression is both hopeful and naïve. While there is potential for change within the proles due to their numbers and relative independence, they lack political awareness and organization. The Party’s deliberate efforts to keep them ignorant and distracted make it challenging for them to rise against their oppressors.
In conclusion, within Orwell’s 1984, the common people or proles hold a unique position in their potential to challenge the Party’s oppressive rule. Orwell treats the proles as a marginalized underclass but recognizes their latent power due to their sheer numbers. Winston Smith expresses hope in the proles as a potential source of resistance, although this hope is rooted more in desperation than concrete evidence. Ultimately, while there is potential for change within the proles, their lack of political awareness and organization presents significant obstacles to challenging the Party’s dominance.
