Response 3

The Socratic Circle that we did in class on Thursday brought up many questions.  I started to think about Orwell's motives behind writing this book.  In class we talked about how he wrote this as a warning.  It was meant to open people's eyes and remind them to never let themselves get to the point where they act like the characters in the book.  It is scary to think that the proles are based off of the American people.  We have sports, booze, sex, and gambling which Orwell states is all that we need to be happy.  I would like to think that we are different than this, but in an honest opinion what Orwell is saying is partially true.  Chapter sever opens up with a quote by Winston that says, "If there is hope, it lies in the proles."  Since starting the book, this has always been my thought.  I realize I may be crazy for thinking this, but I see potential in the proles.  They account for about 85% of the population of Oceania which means that if they are united under a common cause they could overthrow the government.  The problem with the proles is that they simply do not care.  They have everything that they need to be happy and they don't really care about what they government is doing as long as they have their freedom.  One of the party's slogans is Freedom is Slavery.  So as long as the proles have their freedom they will remain manageable.  Winston writes that until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.  There has to be a way that Winston or someone can make the proles conscious.  Whether it be a leak of information or taking away their freedom.  I feel like taking away their freedom would fuel the rebellion.  If the freedom is what is enslaving them than when it is taking them they should actually be free and break into riot.  The truth will set them free.