You and me, me and you in our little room

(1984, George Orwell)

" And do you know what I'm going to do next? I'm going to get hold of a real woman's frock from somewhere and wear it instead of these bloody trousers. I'll wear silk stockings and high-heeled shoes! In this room I'm going to be a woman, not a Party comrade" (page 142)

The room above the Mr. Charrington's shop is a refuge, an paradise escape for Winston and Julia. Somehow they find the time to join and share love and fellowship despite fear and danger. The room itself promotes the notion of love and compassion through the double bed and chance to eat well and dress for beauty rather than purpose. This room allows Julia and Winston to grow in peace and happiness, shown in Winston's returning health. More importantly, this room represents the growing distance this couple have from the party. Instead of a temporary field or church, they have a more stable location to fester their love and non-Party ideals. It's even the connection they use with O'Brien when they join the brotherhood. The following clip is Norah Jone's song "Little Room", a song reflecting a room as a refuge for a couple. The lyrics really connect to the atmosphere and use of this room:

You and me and,
Me and you,
In my little room,
There's room enough for us to do,
The things we like to do.

Oops, I hit my elbow on the doorknob,
Its right there,
It's by the bed next to my head,
But I don't even care.

There's stars up on the wall,
And they all glow in the dark,
And we can hear the children playing,
Outside in the park.

There's bars on the window,
And if there were a fire,
We'd burn up for sure,
But that's just fine by me 'cause,
We would be together ever more.

In this little room,
In the big city we're so far,
From the people that we knew in,
My big ol' blue car.

But if we stick together,
Then I know we'll be ok,
'cause when it gets too cold outside,
This room is where we'll stay.

I Hear a Bird, It well may be it's bring me a cheerful word...

(1984, George Orwell)

"For whom, for what, was that bird singing? No mate, no rival was watching it. What made it sit at the edge of the lonely wood and pour its music into nothingness?" (page 124)

This quote captures the essence of this book: the difference between passing through life and living life. The Party views people as a renewable livestock, capable of being replaced and trained. There is no call for individuality or purpose, and certainly no call for listless happiness. Fortunately our modern society DOES allow growth of art and time for hobbies and freedom. Throughout the novel Winston has increasingly become more aware of beauty and art beyond work and duty; he yearns for rhymes and music and paintings and history. This bird transforms into a singing woman hanging clothes later in the book, as the theme of "living life" becomes more important. Her song even captures this theme:

" They sye that time 'eals all things, they sye you can always forget; but the smiles an' the ears acrocss the years they twist my 'eartstrings yet!"

Emotions and joy remain central to this woman, as she represents a happier dream Winston wishes to join and live.

You've Got Double Vision

(1984, George Orwell)

Literary Term: Motivation

Prior to really meeting Julia, Wilston considers her to a spy and devote follower of the Party, like most women of the society. He even thinks she is spying on him and will turn him in. However, in the touching scene with the note-hand-off, Wilston realises that she loves him rather than wishes to see his end. The motivation for which Julia grows to like Wilston seems to be the precise reasons why he thought she was going to turn him in. Her love and desire for Wilston is rooted in his growing separation in mind and action from the Party. One of the first examples of this is defined with the following quote:

"Suddenly his heart seemed to turn to ice and his bowels to water. A figure in blue overalls was coming down the pavement, not ten maters away. It was the girl from the Fiction Department, the girl with the dark hair" (page 100)

It is entertaining to reflect on Wilston's reaction to this situation after Julia confesses her feelings. This passage shows Julia's interest in individuals and small revolt against the Party, shown in her interest in Wilston's trip to the shop. Her motives lie in personal gain, excitement, and cunning actions all three voids Wilston can fill.

That Shoe is to Die For

(1984, George Orwell)

Literary Term: Verbal Irony

" (talking of his daughter) said she'd never seen anyone wearing shoes like that before. so the chances were he was a foreigner. Pretty smart for a nipper of seven, eh? "What happened to the man?" asked Winston" (page 57).

This simple quote offers the irony of most situations of this book; the citizens are so comfortable with the violence and wrong that other details take focus of stories rather than gore and moral wrong. Children are twisted beings, begging to go to hangings and lacking all respect for adults, even parents. The fact that "children heroes" lead to the deaths of thousands of people is so wrong, but through the brainwash of the Party through things like the Two Minute Hate and telescreens, the people have come to except it. As Winston begins really analysing his actions and the motives of the society, he realises the wrong of the Party. This example of verbal irony demonstrates the shift of Winston's focus from being a hopeless follower to a independent and moral being. This transformation is further displayed in the following quote:

"Had food always tasted like this? He looked around the canteen. A low-ceiling crowded room, its walls grimy from the contact of innumerable bodies..." (page 59).

Many of the other citizens would revolt the teachings of the Party, if they simply looked into the principles they followed. However, such knowledge impossible with the genius actions of Big Brother and the functioning Party.

The Future? Eh, doesn' t matter, the world ends in 2012 right?

(1984, George Orwell)

"How could you communicate with the future?It was of its nature impossible. Either the future would resemble the present, in which case it would not listen to him, or it would be different from it and his predicament would be meaningless" (page 9).

Literary Term: Theme

This major theme is displayed within ten pages of the book; it is a critical struggle and message of the book. The difficulty of communicating with the future in this society has two elements: the physical and mental contributions towards helping the future. As shown in the above except portrays the mental complications of reaching the future, from insecurity to fear of change. However the major feat of this theme is the physical actions required to pass information to future generations. The description and attitude Winston has towards using the book and the possible consequences of doing so display the inability of doing so. The concept that history is nonexistent is a major theme of this book shown through the memory holes, Records Department, and the following quote:

" Nothing was your own except the few cubic centimeters inside your skull" (page 27).

There is a call to separate one's mind and the fabricated world of the Party, especially when it comes to recalling history. Winston realises this early on as he reflects on the true war nature of his nation and impact of his job in changing history. Changing history and helping the future are major themes of this piece.