1984 them of sex, love and loyalty

Question 1

What two things does Orwell suggest are linked

Answer 1

Sexual repression and violence

Question 2

The link between sexual repression and violence

Answer 2

The sadistic fantasies Winston has about Julia before they begin their affair indicate the strong link between sexual repression and violence. The red sash Julia wears and her voluptuous appearance arouses feelings of hatred and resentment that only dissipate when he learns that he can possess her physically.

Question 3

Another reason why the party restricts sexual behaviour

Answer 3

Sexual desire competes with loyalty to the State: after Winston makes love with Julia, he realizes that it is “the force that would tear the Party to pieces.” In place of heterosexual love, the Party substitutes leader-worship and patriotic feeling: thus, when Winston betrays Julia under torture, he learns to revere O’Brien and worship Big Brother.

Question 4

Pure love quote

Answer 4

“But you could not have pure love or pure lust nowadays. No emotion was pure, because everything was mixed up with fear and hatred.”

Question 5

Pure love/political act quote

Answer 5

Because the Party controls citizens’ actions and even emotions, simply the private act of expressing love and desire is subversive. The Party plays a role in their romantic encounter; indeed, what in a free society would be an ordinary private act becomes a major political gesture with very serious ramifications.

Question 6

Political act quote

Answer 6

“Their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory. It was a blow struck against the Party. It was a political act.”

Question 7

Sex impulse quote

Answer 7

The sex impulse was dangerous to the Party, and the Party had turned it to account.

Question 8

Sex impulse quote analysis

Answer 8

Julia has explained to Winston how the Party utilizes sexual repression as a way of creating and harnessing frustrated energy that can then be directed toward the Party’s own political ends. Winston agrees, Orwell shows that characters in this world are not able to understand their own thoughts and feelings except in relation to the Party: every act, thought, and emotion is instantly categorized as either orthodox or subversive