The Power of the Proles

[Park.chunsoo]

The way that Winston (and the Party) views the Proles is extremely interesting. On one hand, they are seen as "natural inferiors, who must be kept in subjection, like animals." However, Winston acknowledges that if the Party is to be overthrown, the only possible source of power adequate to do so is the Proles, who constitute 85% of Oceania's population.

But could the Proles actually rebel against the Party? To incite a revolution, the Proles must first acknowledge that the Party is the enemy and the source of oppression. But do the Proles even understand that they are being oppressed? They seem so oblivious to the fact that they are being oppressed that it seems highly unlikely that they will rebel, or to unite and form a resistance movement.

[Rachel]

As Winston mentions, it's a tragic cycle. The proles are the only ones who are powerful enough (in terms of numbers, at least) to overtake the Party. However, they will not rebel until they are free to realize that the Party is oppressive, and they will not be free until they rebel.

In a purely hypothetical situation of a prole rebellion, I do not think it would succeed. Winston mentions that proles are on the same level as animals. They are happy the way they are, they do not know anything else other than their present situation, and they really don't have the means necessary to advocate for themselves. As Winston tells us, at age sixteen, every member of the Party takes an intelligence test. All the "intelligent" people work for the Party. Anyone capable of leading a revolution works for the Party.

Under the leadership of somebody like O'Brien, however, I think the proles could rebel. They are all completely palpable, and under a skillful leader who can bring light to their present situation, I think the proles are capable of a rebellion.

[Gabe]

I agree with Rachel. The Probes are all capable of rebellion; however, under the oppressive rule of which they under, it is impossible for them to rebel. This is why the Probes need a leader. The Party is aware of this, and this is why The Party takes so many precautions (such as the two minutes hate) to stop each potentially harmful individual. It is because they know, that if one leader escapes their control, a revolution becomes entirely possible.

[Eitan]

Contrary to some other opinions, I believe that the Proles are completely capable of a revolution. Considering that they constitute 85% of the population an organized revolt cannot fail. Just like the Russian Revolution upon which this book is based, a large enough, angry enough, lower class can overthrow a tyranous minority. I do agree with Chunsoo that in order for this revolt to happen a leader must emerge from the Proles and incite them or a member of the party would have to give them the information.

[Ian]

I completely agree with Eitan that the Proles are completely capable of a revolution. In terms of just numbers, if they were somehow galvanized against the government, they would take over. However, the only reason why they have revolted is because that word doesn't mean anything to them. Because they do not understand the idea of a rebellion, revolution, insurgency, oppression or anything like that. As both Eitan and Chunsoo have said, they would need a leader, but it would all be for nothing if they do not understand their circumstances. An oppressed population must first realize that they're being oppressed before they can do anything about it.

[Shigeto]

I think instead of the proles being the hope, the outer party is the hope. Despite their numbers, the proles are too vast to organize by themselves,, and even if they do, unless it is a majority, the revolution can be destroyed both physically and mentally by the other proles. on the other hand, the outer party are the ones responsible for the cleanup. This means that, witht the help of some inner party members, if a majority, or even a couple of only one department decided to rebel and post an anti Big Brother propaanda, the proles will be able to grow doubts onto the community, and the doubt will hopefully propagate.

[Randie]

Although Eitan brings up some very valid points, I have to disagree with him and side with Shigeto: I do not believe that the proles are capable of revolting. Although the proles do make up a majority of the population, most if not all of them were born after the Revolution, and very few know or remember life before it, as is shown in the chapter when Winston attempts to speak to a very elderly prole. Because of the great purges, most of the citizens who were witnesses to capitalism were vaporized. How, if the proles know nothing else because of the overdose of propaganda and false information, will they realize that they are being oppressed? The proles are kept ignorant, in order to prevent this revolution from happening. Unless someone or something is dispensing information, such as the information that O'Brien dispensed to Julia and Winston, there is no possibility of the proles gaining enough knowledge to organize or consider organizing a revolt.

[Ling]

The Proles have the power in their number and in their "freedom." They are the ones who can live their life without telescreens. They are the only ones who can still buy some everyday items, such as the diary that Winston bought. However, they have "freedom" because they are ignorant. They are ignorant of the Party's lies. Due to their ignorance and their "freedom," they also do not think of politics or rebelling. They are more considered with their simple everyday life.
*Potential Spoiler Alert*
Towards the end of the book, I think O'Brien is correct in saying the Party cannot be overthrown. It is way to established and it has found a way to be indestructible. Big Brother lives on, but Winston doesn't, potential leaders in the Proles don't. The Proles have the potential to overthrow the Party, however, they are not strong enough or knowledgable enough.

[Hillary]

Clearly the proles, if they were organized enough, could successfully carry out a rebellion against the Party. Considering they make up 85% of the population of Oceania, in numbers it would not be difficult to succeed in rebelling. Yet the proles really are not smart enough to know that they are being oppressed. The proles have not even acknowledged that they are being oppressed. Sure, they have the potential in numbers but not the intellectual awareness (or motivation) to defeat the Party. Without the brainpower, the proles could not successfully rebel. I agree with Ling; the Party cannot be overthrown. After years of being in control, the Party has the intelligence to know how to keep itself in power. Winston's ultimate defeat exemplifies just how powerful the Party truly is.

[Ian]

In response to what Ling and Hillary have said, I have to disagree and say that the Party CAN be overthrown. However, what you've said is true. As Hillary has said: "they have the potential in numbers but not the intellectual awareness (or motivation) to defeat the Party. Without the brainpower, the proles could not successfully rebel." The reason why I believe that the party can be overthrown is because people like Winston realize the circumstances around them and could be able to mobilize the population. However, the way that the Party is able to prevent this from happening is brainwashing people like Winston who realize the circumstances around them and start to rebel against the party.