1984 Proles Essay

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Discuss the ways in which the proles are presented as being different to Winston and the people he works with. What might be the advantages of being a prole? In 1984 by Orwell there’s a distinct contrast between the proles and Winston and his “comrades”. Orwell depicts the proles as emotional and free whereas Winston and his comrades are unemotional and confined. The proles are seen to be unimportant in Oceania society; they are just “left to themselves”. This kind of freedom is unusual to see in the novel. Winston and his “comrades” are continuously regulated by “Big Brother” through: “telescreens…. thought police” and each other. The thought of being “left to themselves” would be quite foreign to the average Oceanian but the proles aren’t …show more content…

The party describing the proles as “animals” could be showing their inferior attitudes towards them. Animals are frequently regarded as the lowest of the low comparing the proles to them means there on par with them. However it could also be that like “animals”, their living a natural and free life. A life human were supposed to live without any regulation, censorship and dictatorship. Animals can’t be regulated no matter how much you try similarly proles are “left to themselves” unregulated and free; their living the normal human life. Orwell first introduces the proles as “not human beings”. This creates an image of alien like creatures. Orwell immediately gives us a stark contrast between the party member and the proles. As Syme pointed out everyone “Expect the proles” will be speaking newspeak soon; only they will understand and remember “oldspeak; which creates a sense of superiority. Also by retaining “oldspeak” the proles are not “annihilated” of expression and freedom. Their society is not degenerating whereas the party member’s society is being “annihilated” because of …show more content…

Orwell makes the proles symbolize a hope for a rebellion, according to Winston “If there was hope, it must lie on the proles”. Winston seems to think the high majority of proles “could blow the Party to pieces tomorrow morning”; further stopping the annihilation of society and human emotions. However “Until they become conscious they will never rebel,” Winston fears the ignorance of the prole about the oppression by the party will never cause a rebellion. The ignorance of the proles symbolizes the degeneration of hope in Winston. Both the proles and the party member are ignorant. Whereas the proles are ignorant because of the lack of education; the party member are ignorant because of the brainwashing by “Big

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