1984 pages 81 - 117 Week 3

This section opens with Winston walking through a strange new place. It's stated that he has walked several kilometers to get there and as he continues walking, it doesn't take long to figure out that he is among the proles. When his surroundings are described (the smell of real coffee, people without uniform, etc) it's as though he has entered into a completely different world - one which reminds him of his childhood. While he walks through the streets of the proles, everyone keeps an eye on him because of his blue uniform. The thing which causes him to blend in with the rest of his peers in one place does the exact antithesis here. As far as the proles are concerned, little Winston is a threat.

By being in this different territory Winston is risking his life, not only because he could get caught, but also because of the bombings that occur. It kind of gets me wondering if this country really at war with Eurasia or if they're just saying that. Though, it's clear that they're at war with their own people. After the bomb hits, Winston gets up and keeps on walking. As he goes, he sees a hand severed at the wrist and kicks it into the gutter. In many ways, I don't think that Winston is any different than the rest of the party members. Yes, he tries to avoid the public hangings, but at the same time, he shows the same lack of regard for human life as the rest of the party members.

As Winston continues to explore, he comes across an elderly man whom he thinks could give him some real answers about the past. Unfortunately this man is quite old and quite drunk. The answers that Winston receives are basically meaningless because they don't pertain to society in general.

After speaking with the old man, Winston leaves the bar and sees the antique shop where he purchased the diary. With a nervousness inside himself he enters the shop where the man recognizes him almost instantly. The man begins showing him some of his antiques from before the war. I believe that many of Winston's answers to the past lie within this shop if something could possibly trigger him. After perusing for a while and finding an item, Winston is taken upstairs by the owner. What he finds looks like a paradise. A complete bedroom set up with no telescreen. Something that strikes me is that the owner says he's never had a telescreen because he could never afford one and never saw a need for it. This is another reason why I think Winston is on the same level as the rest of the party members. At one point, he obviously felt a need for the telescreen or else he wouldn't own one. For a moment, Winston contemplates living there, but the idea is shut out of his mind when he realizes that it would be impossible to do so without getting caught.

When Winston leaves the shop he's somewhat fearful because of the item he has brought back with him. What he sees as he's walking home is quite terrifying. The girl who's been following him and watching him has followed him here. The first thought that comes to Winston's mind is killing her and the only reason he doesn't is because she's probably stronger than him. That night he arrives home and describes what it's like to be vaporized. The gov. doesn't just come and take you and kill you, they torture you prior to death. Winston contemplates suicide, but he doesn't go through with it because there's nothing that would make his death easy. Winston doesn't end up vaporized and the next time we see him is at work a few days later.

It is here that he sees the girl again. Her arm is in a sling and as they are walking toward each other, she falls down. Winston actually helps her up despite who he thinks she is and after she walks away, he realizes that she's stuck a note in his hand. Carefully he takes it back to his desk and waits diligently so he can read it without being discovered. When he does finally read it, the words written are a shock to him and also myself. It says "I love you" and Winston doesn't even know what to think about it. He's so stunned that he has to read it multiple times to make sure he's correct. Instantly the wheels start turning in his head and he wonders if it's a set up or if she really does like him. He decides to take the chance and try to talk to her again but it's many days before this chance comes.

Every day in the canteen, Winston wants to go sit by her, but he can't seem to get to her first. I find myself rooting for this poor guy, but nothing goes well for him. Finally Winston gets a moment to sit with her alone, but when he reaches her, he can't speak. Luckily she takes charge and they develop a way that they can meet.

It is in the public square that they get to meet up with each other. They have to wait for precisely the right moment when the crowd is heavy so that they won't be picked up by a telescreen. Their time comes when a convoy of Eurasian prisoners (I guess they are fighting the war) are being driven by and a crowd forms and begins booing at them. It is here when Winston is fighting through the mob that we see a stronger side of Winston, one which is more assertive and willing to fight for what he wants. For a breef moment his meekness is gone. Once he finally reaches the girl, they can't even look at each other, but she gives him directions for a place they can meet up. As they continue to look straight ahead, their hands clasp in the bestial crowd and they share a moment which is all their own. It only took 117 pages for something nice to happen to Winston.