Who would buy a spying device used against them?

[Typicalposter]

When Winston was in the antique shop in the prole section Winston exclaims to the 63 year old man, Mr. Charrington, "There's no telescreen." Mr. Charrington replies, "Ah, I never had one of those things. Too expensive. And I never seemed to feel the need of it, somehow." if the telescreen had to be bought why did people buy it?? Why didn't they decide that they don't want to be watched all the time??? Unless Big Brother used propaganda to persuade them to buy it I don't see why they did. But if Big Brother did use propaganda the people who are being monitored know the actual truth that the telescreens are used to watch over them and can still decide not to buy the telescreens. Why pay for a spying device used against you??

[soccerstar808]

The Party members do not pay for their telescreens. They are installed by Big Brother in the houses of Party members. Mr. Charrington is a prole, therefore, Big Brother doesn't feel the need to watch him since he doesn't have the power to betray them. Also, Mr. Charrington has some secrets that you will learn about later in the novel. This means that proles do not really know what telescreens are for really and illustrate them in their minds as our televisions. So obviously, a prole would want one, thinking of it as a source of entertainment.

[Kewosoda]

I am going to add to the previous posted answer. Even if people were forced to buy the Telescreens (even though they are government issued), I highly doubt anyone would disagree that the Telescreens aren't necessary because in Oceania Big Brother is always right and no one knows better about what they are actually doing due to years of brainwash and propaganda that is constantly shoved down these people's throats. To the ignorant majority Big Brother is sacred.

[The Atheist]

...Also, Mr. Charrington has some secrets that you will learn about later in the novel. This means that proles do not really know what telescreens are for really and illustrate them in their minds as our televisions. So obviously, a prole would want one, thinking of it as a source of entertainment.

Correct. To Charrington - as he appears at that stage - the telescreen is analogous with a TV rather than a spy platform.