Chapter 2: Reading comprehension questions
Why is the countryside dangerous even though there are no telescreens?
The country is dangerous even though there are no telescreens because there’s a risk of being overheard by hidden microscopes. It is also very difficult to arrive there without attracting attention, and there may be patrols hanging about the railway stations.
How did Julia first discover her hideout?
Julia discovered the place once when she got lost on a community hike.
What does the red sash Julia wears around her waist signify?
The Red Sash marks her as a member of the Junior Anti-sex League, a group in which young girls extremely loyal to the party participated.
What does Julia take out of the pocket of her overalls?
She takes out a bar of dark and shiny chocolate. Winston finds it delightful because it doesn’t taste like “smoke from a rubbish fire“, as the usual party chocolate normally does. Julia claims she has gotten it at the black market.
What does Julia say attracted her to Winston?
She says it’s something about his face. Somehow, she realized instantly that he didn’t support the party at all, that he was different.
What does the field at the edge of the wood remind Winston of?
The field at the edge of the wood reminds Winston of the Golden Country, a landscape he has sometimes seen in his dreams. (In chapter 3 part 1, he dreams he meets Julia in that same place.)
What does Winston wonder about the thrush he and Julia stop to listen to?
Winston wonders for whom or for what the thrush was singing. He can’t understand why he signs so beautifully even though there is nobody watching. He even asks himself if there are any microphones nearby, and if there are, if there’s any member of the party listening as intently to the bird’s song as he is.
What does Winston tell Julia he hates?
Winston tells her he hates purity and goodness. He doesn’t like people who are loyal to the party or who respect its laws and regulations and prefers those who are “corrupt to the bone” and unorthodox like him.
What force does Winston believe has the power to destroy the Party?
Winston believes the force of simple, instinctive desire can destroy the party. In my opinion, this is because desire is something common to everybody, which the party cannot control.
What type of act does Winston feel sleeping with Julia was?
Winston feels sleeping with Julia is a political act. He thinks that pure love, or pure lust cannot exist because every feeling mixes up with fear and hatred. His relationship with Julia is not only made up of affection and desire, but also of loathing and fear towards the party. Their sleeping together is an act of rebellion towards the oppressive, authoritarian regime they are living under.
Video: Summary and analysis
Need more help?
In the section Literature Guides, you can find other analyses of 1984, including a summary of the previous chapter.
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