“The flat was seven flights up, and Winston, who was thirty-nine, and had a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, went slowly, resting several times on the way.” (1)
A varicose ulcer is the lack of skin at the drainage point of a varicose vein. Varicose veins are enlarged veins caused by high blood pressure in the veins. They are most common in the legs and feet because standing and walking increases the blood pressure to the lower extremities. Orwell uses Winston’s varicose ulcer to show when Winston is worried or anxious; during these moments, Winston’s ulcer begins to itch. Winston’s job is mostly sedentary, so for him to have acquired a varicose ulcer means that he must do a lot of walking and standing outside of his job. There is no mention of motorized transport, so Winston must have to walk a long distance between his job and his home in order to have acquired a varicose ulcer.
Works Cited: "varicose ulcer." The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary. 2007. Houghton Mifflin Company 28 Mar. 2009 http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/varicose+ulcer
"Varicose veins." Mayo Clinic. 16 Jan. 2009. 28 Mar. 2009 <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/varicose-veins/DS00256>.
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