Summary of 1984, Part2, chapter 7

Chapter 7 – Winston dreams about his mother and sister

Lying in bed with Julia, Winston dreams that he is inside glass paperweight with his life spread out in front of him.
Remembers that at an age between 10 – 12, after his father had disappeared, he would argue with his mother on how little food there was.
One day he snatched sister’s chocolate and ran off, when he returned mother and sister had vanished.
Looking back, Winston admires his mother because she was motivated by authentic feelings, not rules imposed from outside, and she did what she felt was natural.
Winston reflects that proles still think this way, valuing acts in terms of their private loyalties, not by their contribution to history.
He tells Julia that proles are still human, but Party members like themselves are not.
Only hope is that when they are finally taken to Ministry of Love and are tortured, they do not betray one another.

Chapter 8 - Winston and Julia visit O’Brien

Winston and Julia go by separate routes to O’Brien’s luxurious flat.
They are amazed to discover that member of Inner Party can turn off their telescreen
Winston announces that he and Julia are thought-criminals, adulterers and enemies of the Party.
The three + servant, Martin, drink toast of red wine to Goldstein, leader of Brotherhood.
Couple swear that for cause of freedom, they are prepared to carry out crimes such as , murder, suicide & acts of sabotage which result in deaths of innocent people.
But they refuse to separate and ...

Chapter 8 - Winston and Julia visit O’Brien

Winston and Julia go by separate routes to O’Brien’s luxurious flat.
They are amazed to discover that member of Inner Party can turn off their telescreen
Winston announces that he and Julia are thought-criminals, adulterers and enemies of the Party.
The three + servant, Martin, drink toast of red wine to Goldstein, leader of Brotherhood.
Couple swear that for cause of freedom, they are prepared to carry out crimes such as , murder, suicide & acts of sabotage which result in deaths of innocent people.
But they refuse to separate and never see each other again.
O’Brien informs them that they will be sent a book describing true nature of modern society and strategy as to avoid suspicion.
Tells Winston that he will receive “the book” through exchange of briefcases (p.184).
Suggests that they may meet again, but hesitates to say where.
Remembering the dream mentioned in part 1, ch.2, Winston suggests “in a place where there is no darkness” and O’Brien seems to accept the phrase (p.185).
Winston asks if he knows the “Oranges and Lemons” nursery rhyme, which he does.

Chapter 9 – Oceania is suddenly at war with Eastasia instead of Eurasia

On 6th day of Hate Week, Winston is taking part in a demonstration in central London when news arrives that Oceania is no longer at war with Eurasia, but with Eastasia.
In turn Eurasia has become ally.
No explicit acknowledgement, however, that there has been any change in policy.
Instead banners & posters bearing wrong pictures and slogans are explained as the work of saboteurs.
In 2 – 3 minutes they have been torn down and everyone is behaving as though Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.
In the confusion someone slips Winston with a briefcase containing “the book”.
Everyone at Ministry of Truth has to work overtime in order to revise all published materials which mention war with Eastasia or alliance with Eastasia, although no one ever admits openly that this is what they were doing.
After a week of intense activity, task is completed & workers are given an afternoon off.
Winston retreats into room above junk shop and begins reading book – “The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism by Emmanuel Goldstein”.
Julia joins him and he reads out some of the text. They fall asleep soon.

Chapter 10 – Thought-police take Winston and Julia prisoner

When Winston and Julia wake it has begin to grow dark.
Thinking of the mass of people all around the world who are not members of the political elite and ho care only for the fundamentals of life, Winston repeats his phrase describing Party members “We are the dead” (p.230)
Suddenly they hear it repeated by a voice from picture behind the wall. Voice orders them to stand back with their hands clasped behind their backs.
Then it recites ending of nursery rhyme “Oranges & Lemons”: “here comes a chopper to chop off your head!” (P.231)
Uniformed men break into room through window, paperweight is smashed and Julia is punched in the stomach.
Mr. Charrington enters the room but is no longer wearing his disguise, and its revealed that he is an officer of the Though Police, the one who spoke to them through the hidden telescreen.