Question

Discuss the relationship between Winston and Julia in 1984.

Accepted Answer

The relationship between Winston and Julia in 1984 begins as primarily physical, and they enjoy violating the laws of the Party by being together. However, their relationship develops into love, which is ultimately destroyed by the Party when they betray each other at the end.

Answer

Winston initially dislikes and fears Julia, assuming she is an enthusiastic Party member and even suspecting that she may be one of the Thought Police. It is safe to say that if the matter had been left up to Winston, their relationship would have remained on the level of fantasy. It is she who always takes the lead, first in declaring her feelings for him and then in arranging their meetings. This is partly because she is a more dynamic and adventurous character than Winston, but also because she is the veteran of so many such assignations that she has lost count of them. It is a mark of the way that politics warps ordinary human emotions that Winston feels no jealousy or insecurity about her promiscuity but welcomes it as a sign of political rebellion. The two of them understand each other perfectly on this point:

“Listen. The more men you've had, the more I love you. Do you understand that?”

“Yes, perfectly.”

“I hate purity, I hate goodness! I don't want any virtue to exist...

(The entire section contains 4 answers and 1014 words.)

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“Listen. The more men you've had, the more I love you. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, perfectly.”
“I hate purity, I hate goodness! I don't want any virtue to exist anywhere. I want everyone to be corrupt to the bones.”
“Well then, I ought to suit you, dear. I'm corrupt to the bones.”

The two are very different, even in their ways of rebelling against the Party and their attitudes to that rebellion. Winston is more cerebral, interested in politics and organized resistance. Julia’s rebellion is personal and primarily sexual. However, their shared hatred of the Party leads them to adopt the same views on most matters, though they may arrive at them from different directions. They love each other as completely and purely as two people can in such a corrupt and corrupting system. However, Winston realizes that politics will always play a vital part in their relationship.

No emotion was pure, because everything was mixed up with fear and hatred. Their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory. It was a blow struck against the Party. It was a political act.

This makes it ultimately unsurprising when their relationship is destroyed by the Party and its politicization of everything.

Answer

Initially, Winston and Julia's relationship is merely physical and provides each person an opportunity to fulfill their oppressed sexual desires while simultaneously disobeying the authoritative regime. Both Winston and Julia take pleasure in violating the Party's laws and regulations, which adds an element of excitement to their relationship. While Julia simply enjoys engaging in random affairs with Party members, Winston views the physical aspect of their relationship as more of a political act, a "blow struck against the Party." Gradually, the two characters begin spending more time together and go as far as renting an apartment above an antique shop, where they continue their affair.
Eventually, Julia and Winston fall in love and develop strong feelings for one another. Even while knowing that their relationship could result in their deaths, Winston and Julia decide to secretly continue their affair. Julia even follows Winston to meet with O'Brien as they attempt to join The Brotherhood.
Unfortunately, the Thought Police arrest the couple and Winston is sent to the Ministry of Love, where he is tortured until he embraces Big Brother. While Winston is in prison, his love for Julia is the only thing that allows him to continue challenging the Party. Throughout O'Brien's torture sessions, Winston holds onto his love for Julia and refuses to abandon his feelings for her. For a moment, their love transcends the Party and Big Brother's commanding influence. However, Winston ends up betraying Julia and completely capitulating to Big Brother after experiencing Room 101.

Answer

At first glance, the relationship between Winston and Julia appears to be purely physical. We know that Julia has had sexual relationships with many Party members, for instance, and that Winston is very much attracted to her. But, as their meetings progress, it becomes clear that there is more to their relationship than the expression of sexuality. Julia's positivity and energy act as an antidote to Winston's fatalism, for example, and he confides in her his memories of youth, including the disappearance of his mother.
Furthermore, they are also united by their mutual hatred of the Party and, in Part Two, Chapter Eight, they go together to O'Brien's apartment where they join the secret resistance movement called the Brotherhood. They vow to do anything, even murder, to bring about the demise of the Party, but they both agree that they cannot betray each other. This demonstrates the strength of their (genuine) love for one another.
That Winston and Julia eventually betray each other is the book's ultimate tragedy, demonstrating, above all, that totalitarianism can destroy anything—even love.

Answer

At first, their relationship is merely a political act of rebellion.  Their entire purpose of being together is for them to express their anger and frustration with the Party and its repressive tactics.  Being together is a way for them to feel like live, real, human beings with emotions and instincts that exist, instead of like mindless drones with no minds or individuality whatsoever, which is what the Party fosters.  In fact, during their first tryst, Orwell even states that

"their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory.  It was a blow struck against the Party.  It was a political act."

However, after their first few meetings, their relationship turns from merely political rebellion to actual personal care for each other.  It blossoms, eventually, into love.  And for Winston, Julia's insight into the Party, her experiences with rebellion, and her willingness to hate and decry the Party, are all strengthening forces in his life.  They give him a reason to believe in himself again, they help him to gain more momentum and strength in his own personal rebellion.  His relationship with her is precious; it gives him the only happiness he can ever remember.
Near the end, it is their love for each other that keeps them from breaking down underneath the oppressive, brain-washing torture of the Party.  It is the one thing the Party can't get at--until they do.
I hope that helps; good luck!

1984

Discuss the relationship between Winston and Julia in 1984.

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