Chapter 6

Summary

This Chapter gives details of Winston’s private life, some of which he has written in his diary.  He recalls one of his rare sexual experiences involving a prostitute who would be a prole, because she wore make-up, which Party women never did. This was a severe crime, but now and again it was worth taking the risk.

He had been, or might still be, married to Katharine.  The purpose of marriage was to produce children, and the sexual act was viewed as a disgusting operation, like having an enema.

The Party viewed eroticism as an enemy, which would undermine the Party’s control over its citizens. The Party was trying to kill the sex instinct. It has been about 10 years since Winston separated from his wife because they had been unable to have children.  Although Winston hated having sex with his stiff, frigid wife, she insisted that they try and have a child, as it was their duty to the Party.

He had a vision of his wife’s white body “frozen forever by the hypnotic power of the Party.  Why did it always have to be like this?” 

Interpretation

Like other parts of his life, Winston is frustrated in sexual matters. The Party forbids liaisons with prostitutes who are mainly proles, but now and again Winston overcomes his fear and engages in one of these sordid episodes.  It is clear that Winston obtains some sort of forgiveness by confessing these deeds in his diary.  He longs for the kind of sexual experience that is free and liberated. His marriage was a complete failure because of his wife’s indoctrination by the Party.

At this stage, Winston cannot understand the reasoning behind the Party’s view on sex and its promotion of celibacy.

The Party do not wish love to grow between couples, each citizen must have an unreserved loyalty to the Party.  Marriages are only permitted between couples that are not attracted to one another.