1984 Section Two, Part VII Summary (pp. 159-167)
by George Orwell

This section begins with Winston waking from a dream that took place inside the glass paperweight. The dream is Winston's recollection of his mother. She lost her spirit when his father disappeared, and there was not enough to eat. His youth, coupled with his constant hunger, drove him to heinous behavior: continuously sniveling about food shortages though his mother could do nothing about it and snatching food from his mother's and infant sister's plates, gradually starving the pair of them. These memories arise especially around an incident with rationed chocolate, which he stole. Afterward, both his mother and sister disappeared.

He relates his dream to Julia, who remarks, "All children are swine" (164). Winston sees similarities between his mother and the woman in the film he saw who tried to shield her infant from bullets with her arm. He rightfully blames the Party for robbing people of human emotions. He realizes the strength of the "proles" is they still possess their humanity, unlike Party members do, and they are loyal to one another rather than to ideas. Winston also realizes how dehumanized he has become when he thinks back to kicking the hand into the gutter.

Winston urges Julia to part with him in order to survive, but she refuses. Winston says it's important they not betray each other by ceasing to love one another. Julia agrees and says the Party can make a person say anything, but they can't force a person to believe what that person doesn't want to. Winston concurs with her statement, believing the "inner heart" to be "impregnable" (167).