Proles

Definition

In George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, proles, short for proletarians, refer to the working-class citizens of Oceania who make up the majority of the population. They are portrayed as largely uneducated and unaware of the oppressive regime that governs them, and their existence is characterized by a lack of political consciousness, which makes them less of a threat to the Party's power. This term highlights the Party's reliance on the proles' ignorance and the importance of class structure in maintaining control over society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Proles make up about 85% of Oceania's population but are largely ignored by the Party because they are seen as politically insignificant.
2. The Party believes that keeping the proles uneducated and preoccupied with trivial matters prevents them from realizing their potential for rebellion.
3. Winston Smith, the protagonist, often reflects on the proles as a potential source of revolution, recognizing that their sheer numbers could challenge the Party's authority if they were to unite.
4. Proles are allowed a degree of freedom compared to Party members, as their ignorance is viewed as beneficial for maintaining social order.
5. The Party uses entertainment and distractions—like gambling and cheap literature—to keep the proles occupied and disengaged from political awareness.

Review Questions

• How does Orwell use the concept of proles to illustrate themes of class and social structure in Nineteen Eighty-Four?
  • Orwell uses proles to show how class structure impacts social control in Nineteen Eighty-Four. The proles represent the working class who are largely disregarded by the Party, illustrating how a government can maintain power by keeping a significant portion of the population uneducated and distracted. This division emphasizes the Party's fear of an uprising from the proles while simultaneously relying on their ignorance to uphold its regime.
• Analyze Winston's view on proles and what this reveals about his character and hopes for rebellion against the Party.
  • Winston sees proles as a potential force for change, contrasting with his feelings of hopelessness regarding Party members. His belief that the proles could rise against oppression reveals his longing for rebellion and a desire for freedom. Winston's reflections on their power highlight his inner conflict between resignation to his fate under Party rule and his yearning for a more just society.
• Evaluate how the portrayal of proles in Nineteen Eighty-Four serves as a commentary on political apathy in society today.
  • The portrayal of proles serves as a powerful commentary on political apathy by illustrating how ignorance and distraction can prevent collective action against oppressive regimes. In today's context, this can be seen in modern societies where citizens may become disengaged from political processes due to overwhelming distractions or lack of education. Orwell’s depiction encourages critical thinking about how complacency among large populations can enable totalitarian governments to thrive unchecked.

Related terms

Party: The ruling elite in Nineteen Eighty-Four, which controls every aspect of life in Oceania and maintains power through propaganda, surveillance, and oppression.

Big Brother:

The omnipresent figurehead and symbol of the Party in Nineteen Eighty-Four, representing constant surveillance and control over the populace.

Newspeak: The official language of Oceania in Nineteen Eighty-Four, designed to limit freedom of thought and expression by reducing the complexity of language.