St. Clements' dane

Winston, in chapter 8, returns to the shop where he bought the diary. As he is talking to the shop owner he finds a painting of The Dane of St. Clements and Mr. Charrington, the owner, tells him a rhyme about two churches. Winston tells himself that after a month or so he will come back and buy the painting and leaves the store. He, however leaves the store very carelessly, "For perhaps five seconds exaltation made him careless, and he stepped out onto the pavement without so much as a preliminary glance through the window." When he steps out onto the street he forgets to look for anything or anyone that might give him away. It was slightly unnerving to see Winston let his guard down and become scared when he sees the dark haired girl following him. It also made me disappointed in Winston to see that he had become so careless when he was so close to making a revolution work. This happening is extremely significant to Winston because it confirms that the dark haired girl is following him and increases his paranoia. Winston becomes frighted that that night he would be "disappeared" by the thought police because of his actions. In the passage there is a lighthearted tone of happiness when he exits the store that quickly turns to cold dread when he sees the dark haired girl following him. This sudden turn could be an omen for things to come for Winston.