Summary

Stage directions suggest that John and Winston are again in their cell, and that it is “a few days later” (207).

John keeps his face hidden as Winston puts on a makeshift wig and set of breasts – his costume for Antigone. When he is ready, he tells John he can look, but is not happy when John laughs. Winston becomes increasingly angry as John pantomimes various activities with “Antigone,” and eventually throws the wig and costume to the ground, saying he will not do it.

John tries various means to convince Winston to keep going with their plan. He makes jokes, he talks about how many people are depending on him, and then finally urges Winston to believe that the laughter of the people watching is not going to matter. They will definitely laugh at first, he says, but eventually they will pay...