1984 Section Two, Part III Analysis (pp. 126-136)
by George Orwell

The location of Winston and Julia's second tryst—the belfry of a ruined church—is significant. Their first encounter is tied to bluebells, and their second encounter takes place where bells ring. Church bells have already been established as a motif in the novel, and by linking all these aspects in this manner, the bells could be read as symbolizing freedom of the human spirit, or as expressions of human nature. Bells also relate to the past, where human expression occurred more readily. These are complex symbols and could vary in interpretation.

As discussed earlier, their relationship is an act of rebellion against the Party. It is, in fact, nearly as dangerous as open rebellion, a fact underscored by their near deaths by rocket bomb and constant maneuvering to avoid the patrols and telescreens. Julia is far better at surviving in this environment than Winston is. She has had numerous relationships like this since she was sixteen years old, and it is not until she meets Winston that she will be caught.

Though Julia is better at hiding her activities than Winston, she thinks less broadly than he does. She is unconcerned with anything that doesn't directly affect her "good time". She is still very much a rebel, but more in the way the young are rebellious than from wanting to effect change in the Party; in fact, she believes change within the Party to be impossible and thus a waste of time.

Their discussion of Katherine is important because it shows how the Party controls women in an attempt to eliminate, or at least sublimate the sex act. This is directly referred to in the passage "There was a direct, intimate connection between chastity and political orthodoxy" (133). Also, their discussion about pushing Katherine over the cliff demonstrates how successful the Party has actually been in dehumanizing them. The last part of the section reveals again how Winston understands the situation better than Julia does. He knows they are as good as dead because of their actions, but Julia refuses to believe this. Julia, of course, has always eluded the Thought Police in the past, so has no reason to believe she will not this time. Winston, who is less adept at hiding his feelings, correctly predicts how events will unfold.