1984 blog #1

1984 by George Orwell

Quite a quick turn of events in the beginning of this section two. My first impression of the dark-haired woman was that she was a spy, so I was slightly surprised to learn that she is actually in love with Winston. Even more shocking is the delusion of the chastity belt Julia wears. Winston felt such rage when he first saw her wearing the belt earlier in the novel, so I found it rather ironic that Julia is not as pure as she seems. Not only do her and Winston make love when they meet up in the woods, but she admits that this isn't her first rodeo. This confession only makes Winston more attracted to Julia for it reveals that she is a rebel against the party as well. "Who knew? Perhaps the Party was rotten under the surface, its cult of strenuousness and self-denial simply a sham concealing iniquity,"( Orwell, 125). Once Winston realizes that he is not the only Party member who breaks the rules, he begins to wonder if it all mask, and that all the Party members aren't as loyal and dedicated as they appear. This idea leads back to O'Brien, who Winston is convinced is a rebel. If only he knew that O'Brien was bad news.