My evolving impressions of Julia from 1984

     When Julia is first introduced as the youthful girl with dark hair, she has an air of mystery surrounding her. One of my first instincts as a reader is that she is a spy from the Party, a trap for Winston to fall into. However, I also see the positive sides of Julia as well. When she tells Winston she loves him, it brings a light to Winston's character that has not been seen in the previous chapters of the book. Julia is somewhat of a confusing character. One second she is the ideal party member, Junior Anti-Sex League and all, and the next second she is committing one of the most damning acts against the Party with Winston. The sexuality she exudes is something that arouses Winston in more ways than one. He evens thinks she might even be a key component in taking down the Party. However, Julia is just not as politically oriented as Winston is.
     In book two chapter four, Julia becomes disengaged and distant from Winston, which leads him to believe she may be sleeping with other men, just like she had confessed she had done in the past to him earlier. Julia and Winston are both violent-minded characters and the dwindling of their relationship makes Winston violently angry. He is definitely aware that their relationship could have them "intentionally stepping nearer to their graves" (140) but he wants nothing more than to be able to walk around town like normal and call her his wife. Julia's rule-breaking hits an all time high as she steals food, makeup, and her and Winston act like two Proles, not two high-ranking members of the Party.
     Julia seems to be one of the only positive aspects of Winston's life. Since she has been around, his varicose ulcer disappeared, his coughing subsided, and he kicked his bad gin habit. It seems as though Winston finds comfort and safety in the extreme danger his relationship with Julia puts him in.