First lovemaking in the clearing

As a thrush pours out its song in the afternoon hush, Winston and Julia cling together and then go back to the clearing. She tears off her clothes with a magnificent gesture, just as she did in his dream. They make love on the grass among the fallen bluebells. Winston asks if she has done this before, and she says, 'Hundreds of times - well, scores of times, anyway.' For Winston, the act is a political act, a blow struck against the Party. They fall asleep for about half an hour, and when Winston wakes he feels a pitying, protecting tenderness toward her.