Prole Song

[Proletariat]

"It was only an 'opless fancy,
It passed like an Ipril dye,
But a look an' a word an' the dreams they stirred
They 'ave stolen my 'eart awye!"

These are the lyrics of a song that was sung by a prole woman on multiple occasions in the book. Winston takes notice of this woman who is absentmindedly singing this song while hanging up laundry. Winston believes that the proles have retained their humanity, whereas many members of the party have not. Party members would never be found doing something this mundane. However, what confounds me is not the fact that this woman is singing, but rather the lyrics to the song.

The song is said to have been "published for the benefit of the proles by a sub-section of the Music Department." Yet, the song lyrics talk about hopes and dreams. Hope is one of the most powerful things in the world, so why would a government that has a desire for complete control publish a song about hope? And later on in the novel, Winston notes the woman singing the same song again, and also how this song has outlived the "Hate Song" which was also written for the proles. Is Orwell trying to send a message about the general good in humans? It doesn't seem like a terribly 'Orwellian' concept. Am I just reading too far into the book?

[TheLonelyQueen]

I like the idea that he's talking about the basic good in humans! I think maybe he's commenting further on the fact that humanity still exists with the proles?

[soccer03]

The song was issued to the Proles and the lyrics sing about hope which is an unusual feeling for people in Oceania. The thing about hope is that it will often disappoint. Becauase the Proles are uneducated they will never revolt and life will never get any better. The feeling of hope given to the Proles is another form of brainwashing the goverment is useing to control the people. Things will never get better for them but having that feeling of hope will make it seem as though they will. Winston is drawn to this because he knows that if the Party was to be overthrown , it would have to be done by the Proles. Winston wants to have hope that people will not alwasy be living in constant fear.

[FanCpantsPossum]

Yes, hope is power. But in this situation, the hope of the Proles gives power to the government, not the Proles. The government is giving them hope by saying that the Proles will get a better life by staying with the government. The Proles are hoping for the government to improve life and protect them. They would never rebel against someone who is offering to help them and is giving them this great sense of hope in the first place.

Also, the song the Prole woman is singing has outlived the hate song simply because hope is the only thing stronger than hate. Hope will always overpower hate. It is easier to live in hope than it is to live in fear.

Orwell is definitely showing that the proles are still human. If the Proles could redirect their hope away from the government and towards a revolution... But since they are uneducated, this would only happen by someone blatantly showing them over and over, or by them getting an education. Chances of either of extremely slim :(

The only good is left with the Proles, and maybe a few select party members such as Winston.

[FanCpantsPossum]

Yes, hope is power. But in this situation, the hope of the Proles gives power to the government, not the Proles. The government is giving them hope by saying that the Proles will get a better life by staying with the government. The Proles are hoping for the government to improve life and protect them. They would never rebel against someone who is offering to help them and is giving them this great sense of hope in the first place.

Also, the song the Prole woman is singing has outlived the hate song simply because hope is the only thing stronger than hate. Hope will always overpower hate. It is easier to live in hope than it is to live in fear.

Orwell is definitely showing that the proles are still human. If the Proles could redirect their hope away from the government and towards a revolution... But since they are uneducated, this would only happen by someone blatantly showing them over and over, or by them getting an education. Chances of either of extremely slim

The only good is left with the Proles, and maybe a few select party members such as Winston.

[Proletariat]

I agree that this is most likely a form of government control. One of the main concepts in this book IS government control. The song also talks about the loss of hope, so maybe the government is trying to plant the seed in their minds that if they venture away from Big Brother, their hopes will be lost. Losing hope is quite possibly more devastating than never having hope to begin with. As my teacher said "Hope is what gets us out of bed in the morning, and what makes us cry ourselves to sleep at night."
The government would never allow the proles to develop enough hope where they could feel comfortable with rebellion. Just like they did to Winston, they want to strip all emotions from the people. If there is no hope, and no vision, then things will never get better for the people, which is good for the party. When Winston is finally broken down, there is a loss of hope for mankind. Big Brother won, and the world has no chance of change.

[Suzar]

In 1984 the prole music was generated by machines/computers..
..they were consumed by poverty, and couldn't articulate or comprehend the true nature of their oppressors.

I'm alarmed to notice, music is more and more computer generated and auto tuned singers.
.....it just sounds so false, like it's been produced to keep people stupid or violent, or both!

So much of Orwell's book is coming true,and I can't help but think the music is actually weaponized now, to promote certain ideas...
.....I think that it could be what orwell meant by the prole music, or the "hate song"