In chapter seven we hear about the party members at the Chestnut Cafe who later get accused for treason. According to the party these individuals were never at that cafe and were instead in New York but Winston saw them there so he knows the truth.
Party members being killed, essentially disowned, seems to happen very often, what with Winston previously editing photographs and making a new identity for this party member in a photograph.
Is it even worth being a party member?
Proles are viewed by the party members as beneath them, and comparably the party members live different lives.
Party members have a better quality of life, are generally viewed as smarter (although since the party is running things this is debatable), but are closer watched and don't live very long (if this trend is right then I bet none of them are older than 50 at the oldest).
I think that the party kills off other party members to prevent them from getting too old and remembering, they especially can't let them retire since they know too much.
Proles have a lower quality of life but they seem slightly freer since they don't have all the extra prohibited activities. They are also viewed as dumber by the party members but why should they care about what the party members think about them? The proles also live for longer, considering the old man who Winston talked to.
Their are definite BNW vibes here where one class looks down on the other and we get into the same issues, if you were a member of a "lower" class would you care what members of the "higher" class thought of you?
To leave a question, considering what I have written here, would you rather be a prole or a party member? Why?
i would much rather be a prole member and live somewhat aloof in a lower class than be constantly terrified of my own thoughts and big brother. i think the proles are lucky because they are able to experience joy and pleasure in ways the higher society is banned from doing, the exact reason why Winston seeks them out so often.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd rather be a prole too, even though that's a little sad. But at least, as mentioned above, they can have some normal emotions and not live constantly in fear. Winston's life is just torture.
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