Discussion Topic

The one thing Winston and Julia must never do in "1984."

Summary:

The one thing Winston and Julia must never do in "1984" is betray one another. Their relationship is founded on mutual trust and rebellion against the Party, so betrayal would mean complete submission to the oppressive regime and the loss of their personal integrity and resistance.

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What is the one thing Winston says he and Julia must never do in "1984"?

In Part Two, chapter 7, Winston and Julia spend time together in their rented apartment above Mr. Charrington's antique shop and discuss their future arrest and torture. Winston fully understands that it is only a matter of time before the Thought Police arrest both of them and tells Julia that later on, they will be completely separated from one another. Winston then says,

"The one thing that matters is that we shouldn’t betray one another, although even that can’t make the slightest difference." (Orwell, 209)

Winston proceeds to tell Julia that they will eventually confess to crimes they did or did not commit, which is not considered betrayal in his eyes. According to Winston, feelings are the only thing that matter because the Party can make anyone say anything simply by torturing them. Winston then tells Julia,

"If they could make me stop loving you—that would be the...

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real betrayal." (210)

Both Winston and Julia are hopeful and trust that the Party has no way of altering a person's genuine emotions and feelings. Winston firmly believes that his mind and heart are impregnable and believes that he and Julia will never stop loving each other regardless of the Party's efforts. Unfortunately, Winston discovers that the Party has mastered the ability to alter a person's emotions and transforms him into a Big Brother sympathizer after being tortured in the ominous Room 101.

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What is one thing Winston and Julia won't do for their cause in 1984?

During their first visit to O’Brien’s house, Winston and Julia revealed their sentiments towards The Party and its ideals in addition to confessing their allegiance to The Brotherhood and their intention to join it. O’Brien then questioned them on the extent they were willing to go in order to advance the Brotherhood’s course and the two responded that they were willing to do anything including committing murder and suicide among others. However, when asked whether the two of them would be willing to forego their relationship, Julia was quick to intercept Winston’s flow of yes responses and say no. On the other hand, Winston hesitated momentarily but eventually concurred with Julia on the fact that their relationship was the only thing they would not forsake in the name of the Brotherhood. Later on after they are arrested in their secret place, the two were taken to the Ministry of Love where they were tortured and unfortunately betrayed their love for each other. Winston in particular, gave in when threatened by his worst fear, the big hungry rats in Room 101.

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By your tag, I see that you are referring to what Julia and Winston say when they go to O'Brien's home to find out more about the Brotherhood.  While they are there, O'Brien interrogates them some about what they will be willing to do for the movement.  He is trying to give them some idea as to what they will supposedly be required to do.

He asks them whether they are willing to kill (even to kill many innocent people).  He asks them if they are willing to die.  In all cases, they say they are.  But when he asks if they are willing to split up and never see one another again, Julia immediately says no.  After a bit, Winston agrees with her and says he is not willing to do this either.

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