Wednesday, December 17, 2008

1984 Prompt Due 12/19/08

In Orwell's 1984, would you rather be a prole or a Party member? Defend your choice and cite reasons from the text.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

If I were living in Orwell's 1984, I would rather be a Party member for a number of reasons. Yes, being a prole means more individual freedom, but in reality the freedoms of a Party member aren't really taken away, they are just restricted by rules that can be bent. I believe that a Party member actually has more freedom than a prole because they have the ability to associate amongst both themselves and the proles. This way, a Party member can live both lives but still be a valued member of society. Another point that adds to my choice is the excitement in being a Party member. There are never any stories or instances of excitement in the lower society; however, with the danger of the Thought Police, covertly breaking the law by just being human can allow a person to actually have some excitement in their life. This philosophy is shared by Julie, who too, likes to live her life radically rather than just be a worthless prole. With these reasons, I believe that if one wants to live with a little excitement in their lives, then becoming a Party member is the correct choice. However, if you want to live a safe and boring life, then you'd be better off living as a prole.

-Cam

Anonymous said...

i would rather be a prole because they are free to do whatever they want and live however they want. i would rather be viewed as an animal and be free to live my life than to be a party member. the party members are corrupt and dont follow their own ruls. also, the party members force people to see and think the way they wanted them too.

-ariana

Anonymous said...

Haven't we discussed this already?

In any case, being a prole would be most beneficial for a few reasons.

Firstly, Proles are the force that could destroy the Party (69). I would like to be apart of that force when that destruction occurs. Although the proles are not "conscious of their own strenght" (69), meaning that they have not yet thought to overthrow the Party, I would still like to be apart of them for another reason; the Party does not watch them carefully. They do not have telescreens in their homes and public places because the party feels as if "their activities [are] without importance" especially since the Party views Proles as animals (71).

As a Prole, I would be thought to be like an animal--give me a few restrictions and I will remain docile (71). But in reality, as Winston states, "hope lies in the Proles" (69). And from the Proles, may success stem.

Rachel said...

I would definitely want to be a prole because they are not watched over by Big Brother. They are not followed around almost by the telescreens. I would hate to be watched like that. Plus, "if there is hope...it lies in the proles" (69). I think it would be cool to be thought of that way. It would be nice to be seen as a person who could bring a new future. Especially in the society everyone else lives in. It would be nice not to be controlled and still maybe under the surface have the ability to make the world better. This is why being a prole would be better.

Anonymous said...

I would rather be a party member who knows the past and sees what the party is doing. I would not just sit there and take it of course, but I would posess more power to actually do something about it than a prole. Proles could be gathered and used to rebel but they were not going to do it on their own, so I would be that party member who would open their eyes and spark a rebellion...

Anonymous said...

i would be a prole. they have the ability to speak freely w/ eachothher rather than needing to live in boredom. the party memmbers need to live in constant fear of being convicted of thoughtcrime. also the party members have no individualism at all. the proles actually have freedom. -gil

Anonymous said...

I would rather be a party member and be able to be in control. I would not so much have to worry about being arreted by the Thought Police and i would have freedom because i would have the ability to associate with whoever i wanted.

Anonymous said...

If I were living in Orwell's 1984, I would rather be a prole. Although Proles are considered to live in squaller, they are free from the suffocating tactics of the party. They are free to express themselves and live the lives that they want to. According to Winston, "hope lies in the Proles" (69). I agree with him because everyone else is brainwashed to believe and follow the rules of the party.

Anonymous said...

I would rather be a prole opposed to a party member. Being a prole allows individual freedom opposed to being corrupt or enslaved as a party member. Proles are able to exist as free as animals. Also Winston states "if there is hope...it lies in the proles"(Orwell 69). This demonstrates that being a prole has the potential opportunity to overthrow the party.

-Chris Jordan
E block English

Kayla T. said...

I would rather be a prole than a member of the party for a few reasons. First of all, proles have freedom and they are not being watched all of the time. Another reason that I would want to be a prole is because, I forget where, it says that the proles could potentially destroy the party.

Michelle Lee said...

I would like to be a prole because they have the freedom to speak whatever they like and they don't have to live in fear like the Party members are forced to. I would feel more like an indivdual being a prole.

Anonymous said...

I would rather be a prole as opposed to a Party member. Party members are completely oblivious to how deprived they are, and although proles do not know what they have, they have more freedoms. Party members are full of sayings and eat up everything that they are told. They are ignorant and not aware of how all their freedoms are taken away. Groles live in happiness although they do not have all the luxeries of the Party members. They have one thing that the Party Members do not have. Freedom to think. Groles have thoughts are not penalized for doing so. I believe Groles live a greater and more complete life.

Anonymous said...

I would rather be a party member because they are the people in controll and see what is going on in the country. Though it seems the prole get more freedom, but they dont use it. Being a party member would come with power.


-Jess

Anonymous said...

If i were to choose between a prole and a party member, i would be a prole. I would be a prole because they can do what ever they want without worrying about others telling them what to do. Just because they are an animal doesnt make a difference, they are still living their life the way they want to. Being a prole gives you your own freedom and your right to be an individual. And by doing that you make your own rules and guidelines to life.

-Maria Frazis

Anonymous said...

I would rather be a prole in Orwell's 1984. I would rather be a prole because they are not watched closely like Party members are. They are able to sing whenever they want, have intimate relationships, and do "normal" everyday things. Proles are able to do whatever they want and I would rather be considered part of the lower class society than have to have my every move watched just to be part of the "upper" class. Overall, proles have many advantages and Party members may be called the elite but their lives are boring.
-Ashlie LaCivita (absent)