1984 Section One, Part VI Summary (pp. 63-69)
by George Orwell

This section opens with Winston writing in his journal about a prostitute he visited three years ago. While writing, he experiences overwhelming emotion, and he thinks back to a man who had a nervous tic. Winston thinks about the dangers of suppressing emotion, especially talking in one's sleep.

The reader learns here that Winston is married. Winston thinks about how the Party discourages sex between Party members in order to keep men and women from forming loyalties beyond its control. Winston's relationship to his wife, when they were together, lacked a healthy, erotic aspect. He realizes the Party has been successful in suppressing the sexual instinct in Party women. His wife, Katherine is an example of such a sexless female, and it is her lack of enjoyment during sex (and vapid, orthodox mind) that made it impossible for Winston to tolerate her.

Winston continues to write about the prostitute and feels remorse at not being able to have a natural relationship with a woman. Winston remembers his experience with the prostitute: "full of lust and terror" he approaches her and in the light and sees she is much older than he'd originally thought and had no teeth. He finds no catharsis in the act of writing down his experience.