The
note says "I LOVE YOU."
It's an odd sequence in the book, because
other than , the reader sort of assumes that all of the other characters are emotionless
automatons. Perhaps anger and fear are felt, but love? That's not something the reader really
sees. Nevertheless,discreetly passes the note on to Winston while he is on his way to the
bathroom. Julia is walking toward him, fakes a trip and a fall right in front of Winston, and
Winston helps her get back up. It's a completely innocuous encounter, and Julia uses the moment
to pass the note on to Winston.
Nevertheless it had
been very difficult not to betray a momentary surprise, for in the two or three seconds while he
was helping her up the girl had slipped something into his hand. There was no question that she
had done it intentionally.
The next few pages are a
lesson in building suspense, because the reader, and Winston, are not allowed to read the note
immediately. Winston has to keep the note hidden, but deeply wants to read it. He has to
unfold it within his pocket while using the bathroom. Then Winston has to casually toss the
note on his pile at work, so as to make it look like a useless piece of scrap. Then he goes
about working and tells himself to wait "five minutes" before looking at it. Only
then does he read it, and he tries to make sure it looks like a normal part of his work routine.
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