Quote 37
Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious. (1.7.4)
Having reached a metaphysical paradox, Winston concludes that which he does not wish to believe: the Proles will never gain the consciousness required for them to effectively rebel.
Thought 2: For the proles, consciousness is as necessary for rebellion as the latter is for consciousness. Unfortunately, that paradox is the proles’ futile plight.
Quote 38
Why should one feel it to be intolerable unless one had some kind of ancestral memory that things had once been different? (1.5.55)
Winston believes a tie exists between one’s intuition and one’s "ancestral memory."
Quote 39
"You are very much older than I am," said Winston. "You must have been a grown man before I was born. You can remember what it was like in the old days, before the Revolution. People of my age don't really know anything about those times. We can only read about them in books, and what it says in the books may not be true. I should like your opinion on that." (1.8.39, Winston)
Winston seeks out history because of his fascination with the memory aspect of existence.