Throughout life, individuals encounter people with contrasting and similar personalities that contribute to personal growth and self-discovery. In George Orwell’s 1984, the author explores a character foil between Winston, the protagonist, and his love interest Julia. Despite their contrasting perspectives on life and the Party, both Winston and Julia share a desire to resist the Party, which ultimately leads to their downfall and the demise of their relationship.
Throughout 1984, Orwell contrasts Winston and Julia’s perspectives on life. Winston prioritizes the future of Oceania and identifies hope in the Proles. He develops an appreciation for freedom and perceives beauty in unexpected places, like the aged Prole woman. Although her physical appearance may not be conventionally attractive, Winston recognizes her inner beauty and the symbolism of her freedom. Conversely, Julia fails to find any beauty in the woman and judges her solely based on her appearance. Thus, Julia lacks the ability to discover deeper meanings in life’s important aspects. In addition, Julia’s youth and lack of experience compared to Winston shape her understanding of the world. This realization dawns on Winston during a conversation about his ex-wife, Katharine. He observes that Julia is still young and hopeful, not comprehending that eliminating someone inconvenient solves nothing. Consequently, Winston concludes that he and Julia possess divergent perspectives on life.
As the conflict escalates in the novel, it becomes apparent that Julia and Winston have contrasting levels of intellect and perspectives on the Party. Winston, a highly intellectual man, carefully deliberates his decisions and recognizes their potential consequences. This is exemplified when he states, “We are the dead,” as he has witnessed the fate that befalls individuals who commit crimes and understands that it is only a matter of time before both he and Julia meet such a fate. Winston perceives life as a limited time remaining, dwelling in the past and remorseful of his past misdeeds. Conversely, Julia is carefree and spontaneous, living in the present moment. She expresses this mindset by saying, “Don’t you enjoy being alive? Don’t you like the feeling: […] I’m real, I’m solid, and I’m alive!” However, she also displays naivety by overlooking the consequences of her actions and failing to comprehend the repercussions she will face once captured by the Thought Police. Her focus is solely on enjoying life while she still can. Ultimately, Winston and Julia’s divergent perspectives on the Party serves as a noticeable disparity within their relationship.
Both Winston and Julia display a rebellious nature throughout the novel 1984, although their methods differ. Julia, though appearing to be a loyal Party member by her involvement in the Junior Anti-Sex League and professing love for Big Brother, rebels privately by engaging in forbidden sexual relationships with other Party members. Additionally, she harbors a strong hatred for Big Brother. In contrast, Winston rebels by clandestinely maintaining a secret diary where he expresses his defiance against the Party and yearns for a better future. He ultimately commits thoughtcrimes against the Party, dedicating himself to the Brotherhood and advocating for the overthrow of Big Brother and the end of totalitarianism.Both characters in the text demonstrate a desire to revolt against the Party. While Julia rebels on an individual level by engaging in acts of rebellion from the waist down, Winston strives to make a meaningful impact on the Party and bring about future change through his criminal actions.
In conclusion, the relationship between Winston and Julia develops as a result of their shared desire to oppose the Party, but their contrasting perspectives on the Party and life reinforce the distinct characters that Orwell presents them as. Even though both characters decide to rebel, they express it in different ways. Winston finds allure and gratitude in freedom, whereas Julia is consumed by her personal desires. Moreover, Julia embraces the present moment while Winston constantly dwells on his past. An individual’s personality traits can foretell their future, encompassing their successes and failures.
