Essay 1984: Proles
In the book “1984” written by George Orwell in 1948, the proles are presented as an impoverished, powerless and massive group of people. Nevertheless, they are free, unlike the rest of Oceania. They are not checked by the Party on what they do and think; therefore the proles are the only ones able to take Big Brother down.
First of all, the word ‘prole’ has to be defined. The word prole derives from the word proletarian which means ‘a citizen of the lowest class’. The book 1984 describes the proles the same. They are old, unhealthy, working class people. The proles live in an abandoned area which is barely maintained. The neighbourhoods are very filthy and so cause many diseases. Furthermore, the proles that have been mentioned are described as “swollen, waddling women” and “old bent creatures shuffling along on splayed feet” (page 86) which makes clear they are old, weak and shabby people. Also it is said that among the proles there are a lot of thieves, bandits and prostitutes. The proles have been described as very pessimistic and negative. Additionally, the Party doesn’t see the proles as human beings, but as unimportant creatures who must be kept under control by everybody; “the Party taught that the proles were natural inferiors who must be kept in subjection, like animals.” (page 74). The comparison / simile ‘like animals’ which is used, causes the reader to create a vivid mental image of the proles. It makes the reader imagine the proles as dirty, uncivilized and non-human people. Concluding, the proles are abandoned, wretched and impecunious and seen as non-humans who must be kept in subjection.
Even though the proles are seen as animals, their lives are less affected by the Party than any other class. They have been described as the working class, but besides working they have other affairs too: “Heavy physical work, the care of home and children, petty quarrels with neighbours, films, football, beer and , above all, gambling filled up the horizon
First of all, the word ‘prole’ has to be defined. The word prole derives from the word proletarian which means ‘a citizen of the lowest class’. The book 1984 describes the proles the same. They are old, unhealthy, working class people. The proles live in an abandoned area which is barely maintained. The neighbourhoods are very filthy and so cause many diseases. Furthermore, the proles that have been mentioned are described as “swollen, waddling women” and “old bent creatures shuffling along on splayed feet” (page 86) which makes clear they are old, weak and shabby people. Also it is said that among the proles there are a lot of thieves, bandits and prostitutes. The proles have been described as very pessimistic and negative. Additionally, the Party doesn’t see the proles as human beings, but as unimportant creatures who must be kept under control by everybody; “the Party taught that the proles were natural inferiors who must be kept in subjection, like animals.” (page 74). The comparison / simile ‘like animals’ which is used, causes the reader to create a vivid mental image of the proles. It makes the reader imagine the proles as dirty, uncivilized and non-human people. Concluding, the proles are abandoned, wretched and impecunious and seen as non-humans who must be kept in subjection.
Even though the proles are seen as animals, their lives are less affected by the Party than any other class. They have been described as the working class, but besides working they have other affairs too: “Heavy physical work, the care of home and children, petty quarrels with neighbours, films, football, beer and , above all, gambling filled up the horizon