Syme has vanished just as Winston predicted, although the reason for his disappearance remains unconfirmed. Preparations for Hate Week are in full swing, keeping all Party members working far beyond their already-intensive weekly hours. Winston fantasizes about the apartment above Charrington’s shop, about living a simple prole life, and about his love affair with Julia. He tries to talk to Julia about the Brotherhood, but Julia dismisses the idea. She doesn’t agree with the Party’s oppressive nature, but she sees it as an oppression against the individual rather than a large-scale oppression of the people.

Winston encounters O’Brien in the hallway at work, and they converse briefly before O’Brien offers to lend Winston a copy of the forthcoming Eleventh Edition of the Newspeak Dictionary. Winston is ecstatic, believing O’Brien’s invitation is a veiled way of inviting him into the Brotherhood. He reflects on all that has brought him to this moment, believing this to be a turning point that can end only in his inevitable death for having crossed the Party.

Winston awakes in the apartment with Julia by his side. Dreams of his mother unleash memories of life after his father’s disappearance.