1984 Quotes
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Source: 1984
Author: George Orwell
Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.
Context
Winston has been writing in his journal again, sensitive guy that he is.
This time he's thinking about how the Party could possibly be overthrown. He realizes that the proles, who make up 85% of the population, are the only hope he has. He reflects on a time when a large group of women were fighting over saucepans, and he's overcome by their potential force.
The gist? The the Party can be overthrown if people are willing to rebel against it. But, uh, since the Party controls everyone's minds, no one can even think to rebel in the first place.
Winston has stumbled upon a revolutionary paradox: the proles will only rebel if they are aware of the horrible inequality they experience at the hands of the party. But only by overthrowing the party and its doctrine of doublethink can they achieve this awareness.
One cannot happen without the other, which, to Winston's dismay, means that neither will happen. The proles are simply too caught up in their films, football, beer, and gambling to care about other, larger political happenings.
Hmmm, sounds a lot like a lot of people we know.
Where you've heard it
Chances are you've heard these words passionately spilling forth from the mouth of your local revolutionary.
Whether its fighting the man, fighting capitalism, or fighting the fascist school dress code, those who quote Winston know the real obstacles to fighting the good fight—which is to say, everyone else.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Just make sure you're not being brainwashed.