the girl in question answers “Some troublesome misogyny from the...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about 1984:

Some troublesome misogyny from the book: At one point, Julia asks Winston what his first impressions of her were. And he states: "'I hated the sight of you...I wanted to rape you and then murder you afterwards." When I read this, I was like----WTF!!?? Anyone else have similar reaction and/or insight into this strange and troubling moment in the book?

the girl in question I agree -- Winston Smith is clearly an unlikable character throughout the novel, although I of course root for him because I do not love Big Brother. …moreI agree -- Winston Smith is clearly an unlikable character throughout the novel, although I of course root for him because I do not love Big Brother. Growing up in poverty with his poor mother and dying sister, he was a complete spoiled brat, demanding what little food they had left for himself and just generally being an awful little child. I think he has or had a sense of entitlement and obviously has issues with women. He hates his mother, which is usually where it all stems from -- and he hates women who are pretty and won't have sex with him. Winston does explain this later in the book. I haven't read any of Orwell's other works apart from Animal Farm, so I don't know if he holds misogynistic views, but I somehow doubt it. I think he created the character of Winston to be unlikable.(less)

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