After his meeting with O’Brien at O’Brien’s home, Winston receives a book, ostensibly written by Emmanuel Goldstein. The book is supposed to explain how the society in which Winston now lives evolved. Focus on these passages. Look particularly at the theory of the High, Middle, and Low classes. If true, what does this theory mean about the proles? How might it alter Winston’s hopes for the proles? Does this theory of history make sense to you?
After finally meeting with O'Brien, Winston is given a book by O'Brien, which is written by Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein wrote about his theory of the current society and how it is divided into classes. Basically, what Goldstein's theory says is that the proles will never realize what's going on around them. In a society that is corrupt and not functioning properly, the ones that are on the low end would try to rebel and change the upper end of the society. But, in this society in 1984, this is not the case. The proles, who are the lower class, have no intension of trying to change the current circumstances. They're the kind of people that just go with the flow and don't rock the boat. In fact, they wouldn't even consciously try to 'swim upstream' or 'make waves'. So, let's move up. You could say that Outer Party would be the middle class and the upper class is the Inner Party. It is clear that there are people in the Outer Party that see the problems and would like to do something about it like Winston and now Julia. But, because the Outer Party is a part of the Party, the Party keeps them scared and frightened to do anything against them. And, this is why there isn't anyone that could convince the proles, who are the largest in population, to rebel against the Inner Party. This book definitely makes Winston think twice about his hopefully thoughts of trying to convince the proles of rebelling. So, with this theory, Goldstein believes that with how the classes are divided, there's really no way for this society change. However, I feel that there's nothing in this society that makes this way of living permeant unlike in "A Brave New World" and mind conditioning. So, there's still a chance of this 1984 society to change... i guess we'll have to wait and find out.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Nice blog, i agree with you that the proles don't seem like they would rebel and that the outer party has no way of convincing them to rebel. To me though it almost seems like there is no middle class in this society. The outer party are kept in conditions like the proles if not worse, at least the proles have some freedom. Its almost like the proles are actually the middle class, except the outer party are told they are better when in fact the proles are better off. I do like your bit at the end about this society not seeming like it could be permenant, I really hate the society of 1984 and it is a nice thought to think that it would end.
Hey Cory, I liked your blog. I certainly agree with you on your thoughts of the society controlling every one and how there is no way to stop them. Also, I think the society doesn't give them any information on hardly anything except the war. Even with that all they say is that they are winning and an amount of the chocolate rations. Pretty much, the stupid and ignorant citizens don't wonder about anything and don't care unless it deals with people committing crimes. I agree with you that there is no one to convince the proles to rise up and take charge. They are probably too stupid to understand and there are too many of them.
I really like the point you make in your post, as well as all the water puns. I would have to agree with you on the way the classes are set up, although, it almost begs to question if the inner party is really the upper class. I mean why would they also be monitored if they are the top?
Post a Comment