Chapter 6

Summary

Winston now has an existence outside the Ministry of Love. In fact, he is employed on a Sub-Committee made up of others such as him. It is not quite clear what their purpose is, but he does not require to devote much time to his work.  He spends most of his time at the Chestnut Tree Cafe where he sits on his own playing chess and drinking Victory Gin.

He is a regular at this bar and solves chess problems contained in The Times newspaper.

He has met Julia once when she confessed that she betrayed him, much in the same manner as Winston betrayed her.  They have lost all interest in each other and although they suggest they might meet again, they probably won’t.  She has changed.  She now has some scars on her face and is a lot fatter.

Word comes over on the telescreen that the Oceania forces have been successful in Africa and they now control the whole continent, bringing the war within measurable distance of its end.

Winston stares at the portrait of Big Brother and as gin-scented tears roll down his face, he realizes that he has won the victory over himself. He loves Big Brother.

Interpretation

The novel ends by the revelation that Winston is now whole and loves Big Brother.

It is just about a year since he first met Julia and it took nine months within the Ministry of Love to undo what was built up with Julia.  He is reborn within the Party and it is left to the reader to decide what happens to him next.

Will he go the way of Jones, Aaronson and Rutherford, or will he continue his existence almost like an unperson? None of the other Party members now wish to associate with him because he has a stigma.  In fact, his death might be a service to the Party because he is an unworthy individual.