1984 Blog 4

The concepts of love, affection, and sincerity are all incredibly distorted in George Orwell’s 1984. For this reason, it is nearly impossible to interpret Winston’s feelings towards Julia as true love thus far.

Although it is apparent to the reader that Winston feels quite strongly towards Julia the distinction has to be made whether the affection is towards Julia herself, or rather towards the idea of Party betrayal through adultery, sex, and above all enjoyment of sex. Every aspect of the “couple’s” relationship is strictly businesslike, which quite obviously lacks true love. The majority of the acts they partook in were simply the exercising of temporary sense of freedom and rebellion. Whether finding a hiding place, communicating, or even sex itself, the couple runs the relationship like a machine: systematic, regular, consistent.

As individuals, Winston and Julia are very different. Both have very unique pasts which influence their relationship with each other. In Winston’s case, his past marriage and regret from childhood make him weary around women. Those memories also make him fear a relationship with a woman, at risk of either being used and abused like he was with his wife, or at risk of accidentally killing them like he was with his mother. For some reason though, possibly love, Winston overcomes these apparent fears and discomforts for Julia. For Julia, though, she was raised during a more modern time, and therefore isn’t discomforted by many aspects of the Party. Where Winston may still crave a traditional, loving relationship, Julia expects and is comfortable with a superficial, purely physical relationship. Although there is a possibility of his feelings being considered “love,” that possibility is thrown out the window. On page 229, for example, “he felt no love for her [Julia], he hardly even wondered what was happening to her.” In this dystopian society, the welling being of oneself outweighs the need of others, even if there is apparent affection between the people. So even though Winston feels attraction and maybe even vague affection, love is absent. 

Overall, Winston and Julia’s relationship is characterized solely on Party rebellion, lust, and personal pleasure. Love is absent and as a result selfishness reigns.