Discussion Topic
Winston, Julia, and O'Brien's Relationships and Revelations in "1984"
Summary:
In George Orwell's 1984, Winston, Julia, and O'Brien engage in discussions that reveal their differing motivations and relationships. Winston and Julia visit O'Brien, believing him to be an ally in their rebellion against Big Brother. They discuss joining the Brotherhood, a secret organization opposing the Party, and express their willingness to commit crimes for the cause, though Julia refuses to separate from Winston. Winston's romantic relationship with Julia contrasts with his misguided trust in O'Brien, who ultimately betrays him. These interactions highlight Winston's desperation and philosophical commitment to opposing the Party, despite Julia's more personal motivations.
What do Julia, Winston, and O'Brien discuss in 1984?
O'Brien then lists a series of horrific crimes that Julia and Winston might be required to commit by joining the Brotherhood. Julia and Winston admit that they...
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are willing to carry out the various crimes but refuse to separate or leave each other's side. O'Brien goes on to explain the costs of being a member of the Brotherhood and assures them that they will never live to see the destruction of Big Brother. He then discusses the makeup of the Brotherhood and explains that there is no way of telling how many members are part of the secret organization.
O'Brien also explains that nothing holds the organization together except an indestructible idea and assures Julia and Winston that they will eventually be captured by the Thought Police. However, there is hope that another member of the Brotherhood might be able to smuggle a razor blade into their prison cell before they are tortured. Julia, Winston, and O'Brien then raise their glasses of wine and toast to the past. O'Brien then promises to give Winston a copy of THE BOOK and recites the last line of the traditional English nursery rhyme before they exit the apartment.
How do Julia's and O'Brien's relationships with Winston differ in 1984?
Julia's relationship with Winston Smith is romantic, and the two lovers engage in an ongoing affair. Initially, Winston believes that Julia is an enemy working for the Party but soon discovers that she is a genuine friend. As the novel progresses, Winston and Julia develop strong feelings for each other and their relationship becomes much more than just physical. They both realize that they are doomed and will not be together forever but promise to never betray each other. Julia and Winston also use each other as intellectual outlets, and both characters gain insight into the Party during their private discussions above Charrington's shop. Both characters become dedicated to each other and continue carrying on their affair until they are eventually arrested by the Thought Police. Winston's love for Julia allows him to retain his humanity while he is being mercilessly tortured in the Ministry of Love.
Winston's relationship with O'Brien is much different than his relationship with Julia as Winston mistakenly views O'Brien as a loyal confidant. Unfortunately, O'Brien is not a genuine ally like Julia and is solely interested in Winston's demise. Unlike his feelings toward Julia, Winston reveres O'Brien and believes that he is a member of the Brotherhood. Winston is also not sexually attracted to O'Brien and is fooled into believing that he is his ally. O'Brien does not go out of his way to meet Winston in a secret location and instead invites him to his apartment. While Winston is being tortured, he continues to view O'Brien with reverence. In contrast, Winston ends up betraying Julia and completely submits to Big Brother.
What do we learn about O'Brien, Winston, Julia, and others in the scene at O'Brien's mansion in 1984?
In my opinion, the main thing we learn from this is that Winston is way more committed to the idea of fighting against the Party than Julia is. She is really more interested in her own life and getting what pleasure she can from it. He, by contrast, is interested in destroying the Party for philosophical reasons.
We see this when they are asked to swear to do various things. Winston is ready to swear to any or all of it. He's willing kill innocent people, lose his identity, whatever. But she is not willing to swear that he and she will agree to separate if need be.
We also learn that Winston is pretty desperate. You would think that this would smell like a trap to him. But he wants so badly to oppose the Party that he falls for it.