Nineteen Eighty-Four // George Orwell
“Under the spreading chestnut tree I sold you and you sold me.”
When describing George Orwell’s epic dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four the phrase ‘love story’ is usually absent. The relationship between the rebellious protagonist Winston Smith and his love interest Julia is often seconded to the harrowing events in the novel, even though this relationship is undeniably a hugely significant part of the story.
Orwell writes this relationship as one dominated by sexual desire rather than one of traditional courtly romanticism. In doing this, Orwell shows the extent of the power this totalitarianism state holds; the commandments “WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” expel the expectation to love, leaving Winston and Julia’s relationship as ultimately one of rebellion alone. The extent of the love in their relationship is therefore unclear.
Throughout the text, Winston is described as holding deep emotions for Julia. From when she is first introduced as member of the anti-sex league to when it is revealed that she is enthralled with the Brotherhood and anarchy, Winston’s feelings are portrayed as spreading from bitter hatred to a prominent attraction. This relationship is described as perfectly contrasting with the marriage between Winston and his ex-wife, one where she refused to sleep with him because it’s not what INGSOC wanted. Again, sexual desire is prominent alongside a certain rebellion from tradition and this dictatorship.
This relationship is seconded to the prominent story of totalitarianism and rebellion in Nineteen-Eighty Four. In the end, the two lovers betray each other, claiming that they are no longer in love. The love they hold is merely towards Big Brother, meaning that this tale is not one of traditional Valentine’s Day love.
Words by Caitlin O’Connor