If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
From the proletarians nothing is to be feared. Left to themselves, they will continue from generation to generation and from century to century, working, breeding, and dying, not only without any impulse to rebel, but without the power of grasping that the world could be other than it is.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that the working class may not feel compelled to challenge their circumstances and might remain unaware of alternative possibilities for their lives.
In this quote, George Orwell expresses a critical perspective on the proletariat's relationship with their societal position. He explains that without external influence or motivation, the working class might simply accept their fate, perpetuating a cycle of existence that lacks rebellion or awareness of potential change. This can indicate a broader commentary on social structures and the need for consciousness-raising among oppressed groups to realize their power and ability to effect change.
Themes
ProletariatRebellionConsciousnessSocial ChangeExistence
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing social justice, one might quote this to illustrate how the working class's lack of awareness perpetuates their struggles.
More from George Orwell
All quotes →The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
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Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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