1984 Discussion (Chapter 2, Part IV)

1984 Discussion (Chapter 2, Part IV)
Full Episode: Chapter 2, Part IV
  • What do you think Winston will mainly use his new room for?

Winston successfully is able to rent out the room upstairs from Charrington's shop. It was mentioned at the end of Chapter 1 that he had a desire to do this. Initially you would think that Winston is doing this to secure a place where him and Julia can consistently meet. The other times they have met have been out in crowds or the country. They take every precaution when meeting like not looking directly at each other unless out in the country, and even not meeting in the same place twice. One might presume that the room will serve as a secure meeting place where they do not have to look over their shoulder all the time and they can carry on their relationship in a physical way.

I think Winston more so wants to use the room for his own personal use. A getaway where he can clear his mind and think freely without having to worry about a telescreen watching him. He indeed states he wants to room for his love affair with Julia, but also he values privacy. He wants to be alone on occasion, perhaps a space where he can continue writing in his diary outside of the gaze of his home telescreen. Winston is a deep man, he wants to get to the bottom about what life was like pre revolution, he is seeking answers, asking questions. I imagine it can be overwhelming living in the world of the Party when you know something is fishy about it. He wants his escape, whereas Julia would want the escape too, but she is seeking the thrill of it. Winston is seeking the calm.

  • Does Winston’s description of the paperweight at the end symbolize anything?

Winston at the end of part four is describing the room he is in being the paperweight, while the coral of the paperweight being Winston and Julia's life fixed in a sort of eternity with the glass representing the sky.

It could be Winston's wish to keep things going and fixed with Julia. You can tell he is enjoying Julia's company as he meets with her quite a bit, and the two have a pretty physical relationship. Much like the coral is frozen in time inside the paperweight, Winston also wants this current time to also be frozen. He has not been in a relationship since Katharine, and seemingly does not want to lose this one. He has way more in common with Julia anyway and this attracts him to her even more.

Also think about the small size of the object. Winston mentions the object representing the room with Julia and him inside of it. Nothing else is needed. No material things, nothing from his victory mansion, nothing Party related. Winston has everything he needs right in front of him. He has a woman who he is attracted to and likes spending time with, and he is in a room where the proles live that does not have a telescreen and where he can have privacy from the Party. It not only represents what life was like before the revolution, but also the bare bones of life. No restrictions, the ability and freedom to do as you choose.