Love

"O'Brien was a person who could be talked to. Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood." (Page 252).

This excerpt is taken from the scene where O'Brien is torturing Winston. Winston concludes from this torture that the brainwashing aspects of his society are beneficial to everyone. He does not believe this prior to physical torture, but mind is proven to be insignificant when physical pain is applied. At first Winston believes that he loves O'Brien, but then realizes that he feels this way because he understands O'Brien. The man causing him excruciating pain is easy for Winston to converse with. This statement returns to Winston's love affair with Julia. Julia and Winston were attracted to each other because they comprehended each other. The couple may not have been in love, but rather seeked each other for the right to be understood.