This is an exciting although very dangerous time for
Winston. Amidst the enormous frustration and angst in his life he appears to have made
contact with an attractive younger lady who may share his hatred of the regime that they
live under. In fact this turns out to be true. Julia later says to
him,
"It was something in your face...As soon as I saw you
I knew you were against them" (p.
128).
Winston is willing to take the risk that Julia is
not leading him into a trap as a member of the Thought Police. He is also willing
to take the risk that he won't be caught by the Party's all pervasive surveillance. He
muses that even in the countryside it wasn't much safer than
London,
"There were no telescreens, of course, but there
was always the danger of concealed microphones...." (p.
123).
It is to Winston's relief that he later learns
that Julia has chosen the meeting place well; it is in a clearing with trees too small
to conceal microphones.
Winston's secret meeting with Julia
reveals several important aspects of their characters. One is that Winston is willing to
take risks in trusting others which could rapidly bring about his downfall. In Julia's
case we are introduced to a character who delights in her ability to deceive the Party
and create her own space for personal enjoyment. The lengths to which the Party goes to
monitor its citizens also yet again reminds the reader of the terribly repressive nature
of this society.
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