1984 Theme

The theme in 1984 that I agreed with is that "There is strength in numbers." This can be clearly explained in the most obvious line from the novel where Winston wrote "If there is hope, it lie in the proles" (60). The proles made up about eighty-five percent of the population, yet they had no voice whatsoever. Winston, however, explains that since there are so many proles, their power to rebel will not be overrun because they completely outweigh the inner party members. Obviously one prole or person cannot cause a huge change, but if all those people were conscious enough to want to change, and acted on it, there wouldn't be anything in their way. Another great example of this theme is the quote, "Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they they have rebelled they cannot become conscious" (61). Again talking about the proles, Winston knows that until they become aware of the severity of the problems they face in Oceania, there is no way to cause change. And it is not until they change that they become conscious of what they should've always known. This just goes to show that although there is strength in numbers,education is key to succeeding in change. When people in general become conscious and educated of the adversity thrown at them, and continue to educate others more and more about those problems, change can spread fast. It is obvious that when a large group of people are educated and interested in an issue or topic, each person can do one little thing to make a huge difference. Hence, the "strength in numbers theme", because the more people included in making a change, the faster the change will happen. I think this theme is universal, and can be proven true in any situation. Whether it be a positive or negative movement, as long as a lot of people are included, the strength and willingness to change is ten times more possible.