The Secret In George Orwell's 1984

Secrets exist among nearly every aspect of life. Literature is no exception. When confidences arise in works of literature, they introduce various circumstances that affect the meaning of the novel. In 1984 by George Orwell, Winston is forced to keep his love affair with Julia suppressed. Winston’s secret is rebellious, deadly, and plays a heavy role in developing the meaning of the novel. In Oceania, the Party works to make sure love between partners is eliminated, for the individual can only truly love Big Brother. Winston, looking for a way to rebel, finds Julia, who is just as rebellious as he is. The secret of their affair is against the law not only because they are having sex, but also because both are willing to commit thought-crime. (pattern 16) Winston professes, “...We disbelieve in the principles of Ingsoc. We are thought-criminals. We are also adulterers...” This reveals that although Winston and Julia know what they are doing is deliberately against the law, the passion they have for each other allows them to continue this affair.

There is a penalty to match the crime. In Winston and Julia’s case, they risk being tortured by the Ministry of Love. Winston is aware of the circumstances, but chooses to continue regardless. He knows the eventual fate is death because in the end, no one can escape the thoughtpolice. Winston states, “It was even conceivable that they watched everybody all the time. [...]You had to live—did live, from habit that became instinct—in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized." The thoughtpolice always have their sights on potential threats to the Party, including Winston and