1984 Group

Topic: Proles.

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1

lala5936

Why are the proles allowed to love?

2

They are not as heavily governed and guarded as the members of the Party.  The Proles are allowed to sing, dance, buy blackmarket items, and live freely.  They live in poverty, but they are truly more free than the Party members who are crushed by such crippling rules and stipulations.  This is the trade-off--live free but impoverished or live imprisoned with privileges.

3

I like the last post's articulation of the trade off.  Orwell is making a powerful statement about social control and the notion of happiness.  As much of Orwellian thought is challenging and intricate, I think this is another example of such intricacy.  A significant component of the modern condition is the balance between material comfort and individual expression.  It reminds me of the philosophical dillemma of "the happiness box."  If one had the choice of entering a "happiness box" where there would be no pain, no suffering, and no sense of insecurity, would this be preferable to the modern setting which is filled with hurt, suffering, and doubt?   Like many of the writers in the wake of World War II, Orwell liked playing around with these philosophical conditions and forcing readers to engage in such discussions.

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