"The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats, at one end of it a coloured poster, too large for indoor display had been tacked to the Winston made for the stairs it was no use trying the lift because even at the best of times it was seldom working, and at present the electric current was cut off during the daylight hours "(Orwell 3)
In comparison to the quote on page 175, it is easy to determine who has more power and a better standard of living. Although Victory Mansions suggest elegancy and luxury, the truth is almost the complete opposite. This technique is irony and has been used purposefully in the situation to convey the shift of power in society. .
The Proles are also a class in the political state of big brother. The Proles, although lacking wealth, have no rules or responsibilities from the Party. They take up almost 85 percent of the population, and most of them are without a telescreen, which means they are not under constant surveillance from the party. As they lay outside of the parties' restrictions, they have the power to overthrow the party if they wished; however, there is no need for them to rebel as they are already outside of the parties' laws. If there is hope, wrote Winston, it lies in the proles(Orwell 72). .
George Orwell also portrays gender in the form of Winston and Julia, the two main characters. A male is typically stronger, more domineering and more controlling in a relationship. As for females, they are thought to be more submissive and cowardly. George Orwell has played with these stereotypes and, therefore, has switched the roles of Winston and Julia, giving Winston the female characteristics, and Julia the male characteristics. By doing this, I, the reader, thought twice about the situation and how the society has become. When reversing the roles, the author can create confusion and, therefore, try to teach us about the different roles that women and men can take and show us that there is no limit to how we should act depending on our sex.
