Applying Theory:

The disparities between the proles and Winston are highlighted in this quote. Although Winston
is to be considered part of the working class, it can be said that the proles are inferior to the
working class. This becomes evident in the quote when it says, “The Party taught that the proles
were natural inferiors who must be kept in subjection, like animals, by the application of a few
simple rules” (74). As Winston carefully observes the proles, it eventually becomes known that
the proles aren’t monitored, unlike Winston himself, as part of the working class. This was made
apparent when the quote said, “So long as they continued to work and breed, their other activities
were without importance” (74). This quote specifically points out their lack of importance,
indicating the non-existent necessity for surveillance because they do not pose a threat to the
Party. The inequity the working class receives can be justified by the proles’ lack of involvement
with the governing class. However, as Winston chooses to rebel, this is seen from Winston’s
perspective as unequal freedom given to the proles and treatment of inequity between himself
and the rest of the working class. (2 Main Class Divisions - Marxism)

Winston observed that before the revolution was oppressed by capitalists, women who were
proles were forced to work in the coal mines. This contradicts a woman’s traditional gender role
in feminist theory. Women are typically portrayed as non-working. However, in this quote, it can
be seen that women were also put to work, demonstrating equity amongst the proles. Proles were
examined to be working throughout their lives as well. Overall, the greater point is that by
challenging the conventional portrayal of women, the existence of equity among the working
class is then highlighted, as both men and women were subjected to labor in the oppressive
regime. (Traditional Gender Roles - Feminism)

Identification & analysis of literary devices/figurative language:

In the text, Orwell uses a simile to say, “Left to themselves, like cattle turned loose upon the
plains of Argentina” (74). This simile compares the proles who lacked any involvement with the
Party to the loose cows of Argentina. As the proles weren’t controlled but rather guided “by the
application of a few simple rules,” their lives were compared to the sad lives of cattle. Proles are
presented in the text as people who did nothing with their lives, thus explaining the comparison a
little further. Although all the proles were treated equitably and had the freedom and
independence to act, their accomplishments were proven to be insignificant as they would just
continue on with their lives like cattle. In addition, imagery is used as the quote explains the lives
of the proles. For example, the text uses, “They grew up in the gutters” and “passed through a
brief blossoming-period of beauty and sexual desire” (74) as a means to create vivid images to
portray how indifferent the proles lived. The imagery was used to communicate the idea of
growing up, having to work at a young age, and finally, the end stages of marriage and death.
With this, Orwell powerfully describes the proles’ lives through imagery to illustrate their
insignificant lifestyle and societal impact. Thus, this raises questions about the true nature of
equity and if equity among the proles is meaningful if they are still subjected to control and
manipulation by those in power.

Connections:
When analyzing the proles through feminist theory, it brought to mind the ongoing fight for
gender equity in the workplace. Nowadays, there are a lot of discussions and movements, like the
“Equal Pay Day” campaign, advocating for gender equity and equal treatment in the workforce.
These women try to challenge traditionally male-dominated industries by seeking equal
opportunities and fair wages. The contradiction between traditional gender roles and women
being forced to work in the coal mines in the quote can be seen as a reflection of the struggles for
gender equity in today’s society. On the contrary, the proles remind me of what some call “the
slums” or “the projects.” These marginalized communities are typically oppressed and are
considered the inferior class in modern-day society. With horrible upcoming and low survival
rates in these communities, it can be closely related to how most proles die at the age of sixty.
With companies and non-profit organizations trying to help these communities, they advocate for
equity by challenging discrimination, providing access to better opportunities, and addressing the
systemic barriers creating poverty and inequality in these communities.

Questions:
1. How does the concept of “doublethink” depicted in the text reflect real-world instances
where individuals or groups are taught contradictory beliefs to maintain control and
subjugation?
2. How do the disparities and inequities between the proles and Winston in the text mirror
social and economic inequalities present in contemporary society? Can you provide
examples of such disparities in different parts of the world?