If you read/listen to the ubiquitous news reports in “1984” (including the movie), the *proles* are constantly cited as the reason for many edicts. Triumphant proclamations of their increasingly improved status and conditions abound.
Just like today with *the children*, *single mothers*, *minorities*, *illegals* et al being used to justify everything being done to the rest of us.
The real story of “1984” is the story of the Inner and Outer Party. Inner Party members have the privilege of turning off the constant barrage of propaganda and the attendant spy cameras, for example, besides having access to some *luxuries*.
All Party members were constantly snooping & reporting on each other and no one could trust anyone, even their lover. The proles are useful, so they are allowed every vice. The more proles, the more justification for hardship. The more hardship, the more people will do anything for a crumb of favor.
Basically, everyone not in the Inner Party or a prole was a member of the Outer Party or an outlaw/enemy.
Just like today.
The real story of “1984” snip
All Party members were constantly snooping & reporting on each other and no one could trust anyone, even their lover. The proles are useful, so they are allowed every vice. The more proles, the more justification for hardship. The more hardship, the more people will do anything for a crumb of favor.
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Farenheit 451 comes to mind as well - snitching who had books.
and in the tv series Amerika in video 8 the “exiles” were attacked.
Amerika 08 (of 13)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjvrlKC4gDs