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Why would the Party allow the vices described that the Proles partake in in 1984 by George Orwell??

In 1984, the Proles are allowed to partake in a number of vices which are expressly forbidden for Party members, like Winston and Julia. They are allowed to wear perfume, play the lottery, and sleep with prostitutes. The Party allows this behavior because it does not believe Proles pose any real political threat. In fact, the Party teaches that the Proles are not like Party members, as shown in Part One, Chapter Seven:


The Party...

In 1984, the Proles are allowed to partake in a number of vices which are expressly forbidden for Party members, like Winston and Julia. They are allowed to wear perfume, play the lottery, and sleep with prostitutes. The Party allows this behavior because it does not believe Proles pose any real political threat. In fact, the Party teaches that the Proles are not like Party members, as shown in Part One, Chapter Seven:



The Party taught that the proles were natural inferiors who must be kept in subjection, like animals.



As such, the Party allows the Proles to live as they choose and, for the most part, the Proles do not cause any social or political problems. This is because they have not developed the necessary consciousness to rebel: they are happy with the way they live and see no reason to change things. 

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