What do you think about the portrayal of women in Julia? Are women more or less likely to fully subscribe to propaganda than men?

What do you think about the portrayal of women in Julia? Are women more or less likely to fully subscribe to propaganda than men?

I think among the characters in the book, the women are shown as much stronger than the men. I keep thinking about the scene at the Ministry of Truth, and how Julia fought through her fears and took action. Vicky, too, was aware of the manipulation of the truth and overcame her circumstances. Julia's mother sacrificed herself to save her daughter, Julia escaped London to save her child... I could go on.

Now, whether one set of characters fully subscribed to the propaganda more than the other, I'm not sure. Julia loves Big Brother until the end of the novel when she actually meets him, so I don't think she completely rejects the propaganda until that point.

The women in “1984” are just placeholders, cardboard characters for the sake of the plot, Orwell’s larger purpose as he was writing a political fable, not fiction as we know it. His Julia character seemed to me completely unconvincing. Newman did a great job of bringing her, and all of the women to life. And in doing that, especially with the twist at the “happy ending,” she makes it clear that women are not morally superior to men, and just as susceptible to fantasy and manipulation. In the end, there is no meaningful difference between the “good guys” and the regime of Big Brother whom they defeat—-power corrupts. Julia realizes this, but it remains to be seen what she will do about it; her character ultimately represents humanity, not just women.

Newman fully fleshes out the women characters in her new novel, something that was missing in Orwell's "1984". As a female I felt more connected to her narrative, though I found that she portrayed men and women who were equally likely to subscribe to propaganda. There were individuals of both genders who sensed the misinformation and lies (though they may not have had the courage to act-and who could blame them!) and others who seemed to just totally accept whatever the Party spewed out. From the very beginning, Julia sees Winston turning green at talk of the many hangings and speaking Newspeak terms without looking pained. On the other hand, Syme who worked in Research at the Ministry of Truth clearly loves the Party. Julia is torn between the truth and the lies, but Essie- a senior mechanic in the Fiction section was "doggedly loyal to the Party".

Some of the decisions made by women in Newman's book (written in 2023!) suggest that women are better able to see and understand more of what makes this dictatorship work and how it might be circumvented - but Orwell - in 1949, remember - was trying to warn all of the West about a problem coming to the Western world - not develop characters (male or female) in a story.

Newman portrayal of Julia made her look like a very tough, headstrong, calculating, gritty woman. I sometimes found myself picturing her as looking like a grimy version of Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter. On the one hand, I admired Julia’s ability to plan and look for any opportunity to achieve her goals. At other times, I was saddened by her cold and calculating manner. I think Lesleyf made a good point about one of the differences between Julia and 1984 with regard to Orwell’s intent to warn the West about what would happen when people become complacent and accepting of misinformation, lies, etc.
I struggle with the question about whether women or men are more/less likely to subscribe to propaganda. Newman’s focus on Julia and the women in Oceania left me feeling single/younger women in the Outer Party were more likely to find ways to quietly rebuff propaganda. I think both genders of the proles denied propaganda because they discussed their beliefs and stayed together as a group.

I think that the women in Julia knew how to play the system a little better than the men to allow them to slide past some of the rules and regulations, but also in part this happened because women were not thought of highly in this system. Women also seem to be able to form friendships with each other to warn, help & mentor each other.
And yes there were women who expose other women to advance/get favor from those in control.

I agree that the women in Newman's novel are definitely stronger than in Orwell's version, but I wonder if being underestimated or calculated are strengths that are used to combat or just survive the system. This thought occurred to me when Vicky becomes Victory near the end despite the reality that she has simply swapped systems that demand the same uniformity of thought and behavior.