In 1984, what realization does Winston make regarding the proles?

In
chapter seven of Book One, Winston writes in his journal, "If there is hope . . . it lies
in the proles" (, 89).realizes that the proles make up the vast majority of society and
account for 85% of the population. He mentions that if the proles ever became conscious of their
own strength, they would simply rise up and easily defeat the Party like a horse shaking off
flies. Unlike the callous, frightened Party members, who are aware of the Party's strength and
oppressive tactics, the proles have relatively free lives and are almost forgotten by the Party.
The proles also possess a vague sense a love, family, and loyalty to each other, which is
demonstrated when Winston witnesses a prole woman cover her child's eyes during a graphic scene
at the movies. However, the proles are too ignorant to understand their oppressed status or
recognize their own strength. The Party views them as mere animals and understands that they are
completely ignorant citizens, who are only concerned about consuming and satisfying their
primitive desires without posing a real threat to authority. Despite their ignorance, Winston
believes in their strength and innate sense of humanity, which is why he writes that hope lies
in the proles.