Moment of conflict(climax): This paragraph is the climax of the rising action in this novel. Throughout the book, Winston has been fearing and not fearing being caught by the Thought Police. He knew it would come someday, but he didn't know when. The reader has been waiting for this moment this whole book: to see the thought police.
Characterization: Winston and Julia are faced with extreme terror: facing the thought police. This moment of trauma brings out the true characteristics of Julia and Winston. Throughout the novel, Winston has been building up a sort of "acceptance" that he will be caught one day, but when that day comes, he melts. "He could just stop his teeth from chattering, but his knees were beyond his control."(183) Winston being able to control his teeth, but not his knees shows that he can say he is not afraid, but really, he is. Julia, who has been previously characterized to be a "bad ass", now turns "milky yellow" at the sound of the telescreen behind them. Having even Julia scared of the Thought Police shows the total control they have over everyone.
Symbolism: Mr. Charrington speaks through the telescreen to Winston, after one of the Thought Policemen says "You may as well say good-by", Mr. Charrington says, "And by the way, while we are on the subject, Here comes a candle to light you to bed, here comes a chopper to chop off your head."(183) This is the ending of the nursery rhyme that Winston has been trying to piece together for so long. The significance of Mr. Charrington telling Winston the ending now, symbolizes Winston's fate to come, hence the "chopper to chop off your head." What really gives that "death" mood, is that Mr. Charrington says, after the man before says "you may say good-by", Mr. Charrington says "while we are on the subject" suggesting that the ending of this nursery rhyme is related to Winston and Julia being split up.
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