What Is The Role Of Women In 1984

In George Orwell’s novel, “1984” women aren’t viewed as important as the men are. Women are only seen being important because they produce children. Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “women are nothing but machines for producing children.” This quote emphasizes that the role of women is to produce children. Women in the novel are also portrayed like this. Women are viewed as inferior to men because they are used to produce babies. Women tend to be treated with the least amount of respect, especially by men. They don’t see women in a respectful manner. For example, in the text, it states that “it’s always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted of the party.” This is an example of showing how women in the party are treated lesser than the men. Women tend to try to take a more active role in the party such as abstaining from sex and Winston hates them for it because he is never able to bring his sexual desires to fruition. Men tend to resent women for the things that they can’t have.

Although, it is forbidden in the party Winston and Julia often interact with each other. It all started from Julia giving Winston an “ I love you” note. Winston was very happy to receive this note, he had already been attracted to her. In the novel, this is the only female Winston has shown adoration for. He didn’t even feel like this toward his wife. Until, the end of the novel Winston betrays Julia, and turns her in. It was unexpected for Winston to show betrayal towards Julia because he showed a lot loved her, and in the end, at his turning point when it's a life or death situation he just turned her