Questions and Answers
According to W, where does the only hope lie?
Proles
How many proles are there?
85% of the population
What is the Party's attitude towards the proles?
Inferior to Party; must be controlled
Is there any attempt to convert the proles to Party ideology?
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What does W think are the only characteristics of Party life?
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Does the Party admit these equalities?
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What happened to the leaders of the revolution by 1960?
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What is the significance of the picture showing the three men at the social function in New York?
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For whom does W think he is writing his diary?
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What does W decide?
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Study Notes
Proles and Hope
- Hope lies within the proles, as Winston suggests their potential for rebellion against the Party.
- Proles constitute approximately 85% of the population, comparable to the Proletariat class in the USSR.
Party's Perception of Proles
- The Party claims to have liberated proles from capitalist oppression while secretly viewing them as inferior and animal-like.
- The Party practices Doublethink, justifying control over proles as necessary management of the 'lesser' class.
- There are no efforts made by the Party to instill political ideology in the proles to maintain social control.
Life Under Party Rule
- Winston identifies the Party's life as characterized by barrenness, stinginess, and listlessness, overshadowing its cruelty and insecurity.
- Decaying cities and a lack of vibrancy reflect the realities of life under Party control.
Revolutionary Leaders
- By 1970, all leaders of the revolution, except Big Brother, have been eliminated, including notable figures like Jones, Rutherford, and Aaronson.
- The history of these leaders is obscured by the Party to consolidate power and control.
Confessions and Evidence
- A photograph of the three leaders at a social function in New York serves as proof that their confessions were fabricated.
- Winston destroyed this photo years ago but now recognizes its significance as undeniable evidence of deceit.
Personal Reflections and Freedom
- Winston writes his diary with the belief that it will one day be read by O'Brien, suggesting trust in at least one Party member.
- He concludes that true freedom lies in the ability to assert objective truths, illustrated by the statement "2 + 2 = 4," believing that acknowledging this truth is foundational to liberation.
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Description
Test your knowledge on George Orwell's '1984' with these flashcards focusing on Chapter 7. Gain insight into the proles and the Party's perception of them. Perfect for students studying the themes and context of this classic dystopian novel.