Discussion Topic

Attractions between characters in 1984

Summary:

In 1984, the primary attraction is between Winston and Julia. Their relationship begins with physical desire and evolves into a deeper emotional connection. This attraction is partly a rebellion against the oppressive regime of the Party, as their illicit relationship allows them to experience personal freedom and intimacy in a society that seeks to control all aspects of life.

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What does Julia say attracts her to Winston in 1984?

In Book Two, chapter 2, Winston and Julia rendezvous outside of the city in the countryside for the first time. Winston is initially worried about how Julia will perceive him in the bright outdoors and even asks her if she can bear to look at him. Julia responds positively and tells Winston that she couldn't care less about his varicose veins or five false teeth.

When Julia asks Winston what his initial thoughts of her were before she handed him the note, Winston candidly admits that he hated her and wanted to rape her. Julia then proceeds to tell Winston about her personality and background. Winston then asks Julia what attracted her to him, given their age difference, and Julia says,

"It was something in your face. I thought I’d take a chance. I’m good at spotting people who don’t belong. As soon as I saw you I knew you...

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were against THEM." (154)

Essentially, Julia was attracted to Winston's "unorthodox" appearance and knew immediately that he was someone who was against Big Brother.

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What qualities attract Winston to O'Brien and Julia in 1984?

The main, defining quality that attracts Winston to Julia and to O'Brien is his suspicion that they too, like himself, hate the Party.  He senses, based on looks from O'Brien, that O'Brien too hates the Party but cannot speak openly about that.  For this reason alone is Winston attracted to him; Winston is desperate for validation of his own feelings of discontent, and miserable in his life.  If there is even one other person that feels the same way, then that is a bit of hope for him.

This same thing attracts him to Julia; she is obviously a rebel against the party, and striving to make connections with people who feel the same way.  It is her most attractive feature, even though she is an attractive, young woman.  He is most attracted to the fact that she hates the Party, and is willing to rebel against it.  In fact, when he learns that she has been with multiple men in her life, this doesn't disgust or anger him, it makes her more attractive, because, as he puts it,

"anything that hinted at corruption always filled him with a wild hope."

Julia is also smart, well-versed in her opinions on the Party, and very coherent and logical in dissecting the Party's motives.  He learns a lot from her, and that is attractive too.

The driving force behind Winston's attraction to these two key characters is their united hatred for the Party, and their desire to live outside its restrictive bonds.  I hope that helped; good luck!

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