1984 pages 117 - 151 (Week 4)

This section begins with Winston going to the place Julia gave him directions to. It is their first private meeting together and Winston is truly excited about it. At this point in the relationship, I don't know if Winston is as in love with Julia as she claims to be with him, though. I think he still feels that sexual desire toward her and that is why he's so elated. It might sound crazy, but I'm pretty sure even the nature around him is pointing to a sexual desire. For example, "The 'bluebells' were so thick underfoot that it was impossible not to tread on them." (bluebells = blue balls) As he is picking the flowers for her, she comes up behind him and takes him through a path in the woods.

While they are navigating, Winston realizes that she's never actually seen him up close in the light before and he starts to become nervous about what she'll think of him - so nervous that he's hardly able to speak to her once they reach the clearing. However, after some small talk he moves closer to her actually says something romantic, "Would you believe that till this moment I didn't know what color your eyes were?" We've never seen this side of Winston before, but it just shows that the loving side of him hasn't been completely stripped away.

Following that line, we see the more insecure side of Winston when he asks if Julia can even bear to look at him and then lists his multiple faults. However, Julia doesn't care that he's not perfect and in the next instant, they are kissing! I was almost elated for Winston when I read this passage because finally, he's getting something he wants in life and this is the first step towards happiness. Then, after I thought about it a little more, I realized that it might not be such a good thing for Winston to become happy because that is the first step toward vaporization. I don't know if it's really foreshaddowing or not, but I don't believe anything good is coming for Winston.

What's somewhat ironic about the situation is that Winston has wanted to have sex with Julia since the first time he saw her and now he finally has his chance and he lacks the desire to. This means little to Julia at this point who is already calling him 'dear' as if they've known each other and been together for a long time. (another ironic instance considering he doesn't even know her name until a few lines later) What's really nice about the relationship is that Winston feels no need to tell any lies to her. He's so open as to say that he wanted to "rape her and murder her afterwards." It's humorous to me because she actually laughs delightedly at this. I probably wouldn't be laughing if, on our first date, a man told me he wanted to rape and kill me - that's more of a third date revelation...It just shows the world they are living in is so incredibly warped. If they were given freedom I don't think they'd even know what to do with it because their minds aren't even alarmed with many things that they probably should be.

As Winston and Julia are talking, she gives him a piece of chocolate which she bought on the black market. She then goes on to describe what a good party member she makes herself appear to be. In essence, she's involved in everything, but doesn't believe in any of it; it stands only only for protection. I wonder how many people are like Julia. She can't be the only one doing this, just as Winston can't be the only one with partial memories of the past.

After conversing, they decide it's time to leave the clearing. On their way, Winston can't help but feel he's seen this place before. When they get to the end of their path, he asks if there is a river and there is! It's like his dream. Suddenly a bird comes flying by and Winston and Julia stop to watch it sing. Obviously this bird is meant to represent a freeing of Winston's sexuality (HTRLLAP: birds = flying, flying = freedom) because they are soon kissing with a softness which was not there the first time. They then go back into the clearing to do the deed. Julia, it turns out, is definitely not a good model for the Jr. Anti-Sex League because she reveals that she's done it scores of times with other party members. This actually turns Winston on even more because its such a difference from his previous wife Katherine.

Before they actually do it, Winston makes a statement which screams irony: "I hate purity, I hate goodness. I don't want any virtue to exist anywhere. I want everyone to be corrupt to the bones." In reality, nothing about the party is pure or good. He wants true human nature which is considered to be a virtueless thing to the party.

The next section begins with Julia awakening from her slumber. She soon becomes business like and starts planning their next meeting place. I almost wonder, seeing as how she's been with many men prior to Winston, if he actually means as much to her as she says. Is Winston just another notch on her belt? Will she see him for a while and then break up with him? Anyway...after she gives Winston the plan she takes off to hand out leaflets for the Anti Sex League, which I must say is quite humorous.

As the section moves on, we find out more about Julia's character as they talk in an old church. She's 26 years old which makes her 13 years Winston's junior. I think this is part of the reason why she is so lively. She has had to live 13 years less as a party member and has no real reccolection of the past before the revolution. One thing that kind of strikes me about her character is that she doesn't believe that any organized revolt against the party could ever take place. She just accepts the party for what it is and is satisfied with breaking the rules. This is another reason why I feel she wouldn't know what to do with freedom if she got it. And, not to get all personal / political, but I think this is part of the reason why we aren't having much of a success rate in Iraq. The people have grown up with those views their entire life and just accept them for what they are. To try and give them freedom is to try changing their culture and what they've always known.

Still in the church, Winston tells Julia of Katherine and how she would always make him do "his duty to the party." This does not shock Julia, for she has had it taught to her her entire life. She says that it works in most cases but you can't always tell because people are "such hypocrites." Another strong instance of irony here because she preaches anti sex to others and yet she's had numerous affairs.

Winston's mind drifts back to him and Katherine in the early part of their marriage. They were lost on a community hike and Winston noticed flowers growing below a cliff and even Katherine came over to look at them. Something I find interesting about this book is that Orwell creates such a dark and grim picture of what London looks like and I get like a sense that everything lacks color and beauty because the party controlls everything. However, the one thing the party cannot control is the universe and nature around them. It's spring and the sky is blue and sunny, flowers are around them, things are blossoming. Early on I made a comment that the leaders of the party were looked at as gods. But really they are no more powerful than any other party member and they can't stop natural beauty from occurring.

In the next section we are taken back to the little room above the antique shop. Winston has struck a deal with Mr. Charrington to use the room for his affair in exchange for money. When Julia gets to the room, she is carrying a bag of goodies for her and Winston to share such as real coffee, sugar, tea, and chocolate. But the real treat is the makeup she has. She is just as excited about it as Winston is. She says in the room she will be a woman who wears heels and dresses and makeup! As of now, this room is a complete escape from the grim world they are living in and they must take full advantage! Of course Winston is wondering where she found everything and she says it came from the inner party members. Proof they are living the high life while the people below them suffer.

As they are laying in bed together, a rat runs across the room and they begin to discuss the unsanitary conditions of London. Attention then is turned toward the picture of the church. Mrs. Hurlbert kind of gave it away that there's something behind it, but there is definite foreshaddowing here. Julia states "I bet that picture's got bugs behind it," referring to actual bugs. What she doesn't realize is that there's a different type of bug, a microphone, behind it.

In the next section preparations for Hate Week have begun. A new 'Hate Song' has been released and banners have been placed everywhere. Even a new propaganda poster has appeared and effigies of Goldstein have been burnt. Really, though, it's all in vein. Who are they hating? Are they even at war or does the party just want them to think that?

As the section continues, we find out that Winston is no longer drinking heavily, he's stopped having coughing fits, and his ulcer has subsided. I guess the Beatles were right when they sang "All You Need is Love." Love and companionship really are necessary for a human to live properly. What I wonder is how long will it be before people start to pick up on Winston's sudden changes?

Another thing I find quite interesting about Julia is that she does not care about what propaganda the party is putting out and what lies they are telling. She knows that things aren't true and therefore she doesn't feel a need to be concerned with them. In some ways I agree with this because obviously her life has been much more pleasant than Winston's because she doesn't get caught up in what's true or false. However, she knows nothing other than lies so subconsciously her life will always be centered around them.