Trust

In the world depicted in the novel, 1984, there is little trust among peers and even among families. You can't tell a person belonging to the thought police from a regular party member. Everyone is a potential enemy. Winston and Julia are particularly careful about who they talk around and when they are seen together. It must be in secret or else inconspicuous to those around them. Every time they have met, they have done it in this way save for one time: when they involve Mr. Charrington.

It is strange to consider that both Julia and Winston would trust Mr. Charrington so quickly. Historically, all their meetings had been planned so that they avoided any other people. They weren't having obvious conversations in public and they were meeting in deserted places so that they could be together. Winston is not the mastermind behind these schemes but he suggests the room above the antique shop. "When he had suggested it to Julia she had agreed with unexpected readiness." (page 146) Julia is normally the cautionary, controlled person in the relationship who knows how to avoid detection by the Party. She doesn't even check out the place first. She agrees without knowing anything about it. It seems very strange. It could possibly be because he is a Prole. Maybe the Proles do not feel the same loyalty and fear towards the Party and she knows this. Mr Charrington and his room get different treatment based on where they are which doesn't seem very smart and Julia and Winston could pay for this lack of care.

The nation of Oceania in 1984 is a place of no trust. People don't trust those they call their friends, family or co-workers. It's just not done because you never know who could be working for the thought police. Julia and Winston are particularly careful about the people who know of their affair and before Mr. Charrington that was nobody. They have let someone else into their secret and therefore diminished the likelihood of it remaining secret.