Chapter 2

Summary

Following the girl’s instructions, which he had carefully memorized, Winston made his way out of London by train to the countryside.  Although there were no telescreens in the countryside, there were hidden microphones, so Winston still had to proceed with caution. The girl was making her way to the rendezvous point by a different method, and they met, but she indicated for him to stay silent in case there were any microphones.

Winston had gathered some bluebells while waiting for the girl, but he did not have the opportunity to give them to her as she walked quickly away followed by Winston.  Clearly she knew this area well. 

They eventually reached a grassy knoll surrounded by saplings. “Here we are”, she said, “there are no microphones here, because the trees are too thin.”

Winston was concerned about his appearance “I’m 39 years old.  I’ve got a wife that I can’t get rid off. I’ve got varicose veins. I’ve got 5 false teeth.”  

The girl responded that she couldn’t care less.  She recognized a kindred spirit from Winston’s face. Her name was Julia.  “Yours is Winston Smith”, she said. “I’m good at finding things out.” 

They shared a bar of proper chocolate, which Julia had obtained from the black market.  She asked Winston what he thought of her, and he told her that he had considered killing her when they were in the slummy area of London, and this seemed to delight her.  She was gratified that she gave the appearance of one who would work for the Thought Police. It was a lovely day and a thrush sang to the couple’s delight.  At first Winston was not sexually aroused by Julia, he was just pleased to be in this place of freedom.  

Later that afternoon, they made love and Julia discarded her clothes just as in Winston’s dream. The fact that she had done this hundreds of time before with Party members excited Winston.  This was an indication that the Party was corrupt and rotten under the surface, and this act of freedom would only go to further weakening the system.  Winston responds, “I hate purity. I hate goodness.  I don’t want any virtue to exist anywhere.”

The time was no pressing on, and the pair took their separate ways back to the city.

Interpretation

It is important for the reader to realize that this act of lovemaking is an act of rebellion against the state. Winston has now committed the ultimate crime by enjoying and relishing this act of liberation. The whole story of 1984 so far has led to this first climax.  There are two further such crescendos later in the book.

The first part of the book shows one side of Winston’s mind, the other side being almost totally suppressed. This sexual act with Julia awakens the other half of Winston’s mind, and this will feature more predominantly in Part 2. 

We already have an insight into Julia’s life.  She has only been able to keep going by punctuating her dull existence with a string of affairs.  Unwittingly, Julia has not only provided Winston with sexual gratification, she has also given him hope for the future.

Orwell means for this book to be thought provoking, and its subject is depressing, so the idyllic scene in the woods appears to the reader like an oasis in the desert.

Just as there are three climaxes in the book, there are also three themes. The first is erotic love, which will be followed by physical pain, and lastly psychological destruction.