The middle section of 1984 is centred on the relationship between Winston and Julia.

Julia, who is earlier known simply as the dark-haired girl, approaches Winston in the Ministry of Truth where, feigning injury, she staggers just as Winston passes her in the corridor. As he helps her to her feet, she secretly passes him a note which reads 'I Love You.'

Understandably taken aback and still suspicious - for they have never spoken - Winston cautiously enters into a relationship with this stranger. Taking separate routes, they agree to meet in the countryside, away from the telescreens and in an environment which is en Edenic utopia compared with the grey and intrusive London of the text.

Julia highlights the difference between appearance and reality in 1984. Despite wearing the red sash of the Junior Anti-Sex League, Julia informs Winston that he is just one of many lovers she has taken. This tells us that clandestine sexuality must be widespread despite the state's best efforts. This encourages, for Winston, the idea that the Party is not as omnipotent as it would appear. Moreover, Julia is the only person with whom WInston can openly discuss their mutual hatred of system and government. Their relationship is liberating not only sexually, but also emotionally, as Julia provides an outlet for Winston's hidden feelings and vice versa.

As their relationship progresses, Winston rents a room above the antique shop in the Prole quarter. In seeming privacy, Julia and Winston perform acts that would be unthinkable otherwise. These include the wearing of make-up and the consumption of Inner-Party foodstuffs such as real coffee and jam. This happy period is interrupted by the discovery of a rat - a terrible phobia of Winston's.

During their time together, Winston and Julia explore the cultural memory of London before the war. They begin this accidentally, when Winston relays a nursery rhyme about London's churches, which Julia remembers from her own youth. Though Winston feels that this loss of memory, caused by the Party's policy of revisionism, is important, Julia does not share his interest. Her thoughts are governed by a sense of sensuality and the present. This intellectual schism is a sign that their relationship is not entirely suited. As the story progresses, they both sense an ominous ending ahead. In another instance of repressed memory, Winston has a troubling dream about his mother, who he cannot remember. His dream indicates that the young Winston was somehow responsible for the death of his mother & sister, through and act of selfishness. This is a further portent of later dread.

O'Brien compliments Winston on his writing and invites him to his home. Winston believes he has made contact with The Brotherhood, through O'Brien. This is the opportunity he has been hoping for. This is also the riskiest path he could take.

Winston takes Julia to O'Brien's, where they confess their hatred of the state. O'Brien confirms their allegience to The Brotherhood, and promises Winston access to 'the book', a seditious work by Emmanuel Goldstein, and perhaps the key to a workable revolution. During this exchange, O'Brien reveals his own knowledge of the nursery rhyme. This leaves Winston confused.

Reading the book above Charrington's shop, Winston remains unsatisfied with what he finds within. The book explains 'How' the Party operates, he wants to know 'Why'.

At the end of the section, the sanctuary is exposed to be a trap. A telescreen has been monitoring them the whole time and Charrington is affirmed to be a member of the Tought-Police.