As with Julia, Winston also begins to feel a connection with O’Brien, the Inner Party member who compliments Winston on his “elegant” use of Newspeak. He lets Winston know that others, too, are impressed with his work. O’Brien makes a reference to Syme who, for all official purposes, has ceased to exist. Winston quickly latches on to the politically incorrect nature of this reference; seeing this as candor on O’Brien’s part, Winston believes he’s forged a bond with him.

O’Brien points out Winston’s habit of using a word that is no longer in the revised Newspeak dictionary. Winston says he prefers the phased out word since the new version has not yet been officially rolled out. O’Brien then asks Winston to come by to pick up a copy of the updated dictionary. Regarding this as a friendly invitation, Winston takes this as confirmation of O’Brien being a like-minded person. Nonetheless, Winston also realizes that this could very well push him a step closer to death.