According to Winston Smith in George Orwell's 1984, the only hope for a rebellion against the Party and Big Brother lies with the proles, or the working class.
Winston believes that the proles, who constitute a vast majority of the population (approximately 85%), are the only group with the potential to overthrow the oppressive regime. Unlike the Inner Party and Outer Party members, the proles live largely outside the constant, invasive surveillance of Big Brother and the Party.
Why Winston Places Hope in the Proles
Winston's conviction stems from several key observations and beliefs about the proles:
- Immense Numerical Superiority: Their sheer numbers mean that if they ever became aware of their collective strength and united, they could easily overwhelm the Party.
- Freedom from Surveillance: While the Party monitors its own members relentlessly, the proles are considered less of a threat. Their lives are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny, with few major limits on their daily existence. This relative freedom means they have not been completely indoctrinated or stripped of their human essence.
- Retained Individuality: Crucially, the proles have not lost touch with their individual natures or their basic human instincts. Unlike Party members who are systematically dehumanized, the proles are still capable of expressing genuine emotions, forming families, and engaging in simple, unmonitored pleasures. Winston sees glimmers of humanity and natural behavior among them that have been eradicated from Party life.
- Lack of Ideological Control: The Party's control over the proles is less about ideological purity and more about pacification through entertainment, alcohol, and trivial distractions. This means their minds are not as thoroughly warped by Party dogma as those of Party members, potentially leaving room for independent thought or rebellion.
Here's a summary of why the proles represent Winston's only hope:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Population Share | Constitute 85% of society, providing overwhelming numerical power. |
| Surveillance Level | Live largely outside Big Brother's constant, intrusive watch. |
| Individuality | Have not lost touch with their innate human nature and individuality. |
| Freedom/Limits | Experience far fewer major limits or restrictions on their lives. |
For Winston, the proles embody a raw, untainted human spirit that Party members have lost. He fantasizes that one day, they will awaken to their power and shatter the Party's control, bringing down the oppressive system that governs Oceania.
