Winston seems to have lost hope for himself after visiting the proles. He must know that there is a small amount of hope if that. So why does he cling onto this? He truly wants to believe that big brother could be overthrown one day, so much so that he places faith where, logically there should be none. That being said, the proles could very well be the answer. From Winston's perspective however, this belief could only be achieved through desperation. Maybe the sheer thought of hope is what Winston needs to remain sane. The proles could be evidently useless or maybe not, the point is that it doesn't matter to Winston, hope is hope and in his society hope is rare. one must cling onto the first sight of it. Perhaps the people of London have never experienced hope. perhaps they are living in ignorant bliss. If hope were to surface among the population, what would come of big brother?