1984 The Proles Quotes

The Proles

Quote 1

"What I mean to say, there is a war on," said Parsons. (1.5.51, Parsons)

Parsons is merely stating the obvious that there is a war going on in Oceania.

"That was before the war, of course."

"Which war was that?" said Winston.

"It's all wars," said the old man vaguely. (1.8.35-37, the old prole Man)

Warfare is so constant in Oceania that one war blends with another.

The Proles

Quote 3

"That's a first-rate training they give them in the Spies nowadays – better than in my day, even. What d'you think's the latest thing they’ve served them out with? Ear trumpets for listening through keyholes! My little girl brought one home the other night – tried it out on our sitting-room door, and reckoned she could hear twice as much as with her ear to the hole." (1.5.67, Parsons)

Its reach not limited to technology, the Party employs children against their parents as another way of to survey behavior.