What does O'Brien offer Winston?

In 1984, O’Brien first offers Winston the chance to visit his apartment and borrow an advance copy of the Tenth Edition of the Newspeak dictionary. This offer gives O’Brien a believable reason to speak privately with Winston, while also making Winston think O’Brien may be a secret enemy of the Party.

Just before this invitation, O’Brien refers to Syme, who has been vaporized and made an unperson. Since even mentioning Syme is dangerous, Winston takes the remark as a sign of trust. O’Brien then invites him home under the excuse of lending him the dictionary. To Winston, this feels like the opening he has been waiting for: a path toward the Brotherhood, the underground resistance he longs to believe is real.

At O’Brien’s apartment, the offer becomes larger and more seductive. O’Brien turns off the telescreen, serves Winston and Julia wine, tells them the Brotherhood is real, and promises to send Winston a book explaining the true nature of society and how it can be destroyed. He also says that after reading it, Winston and Julia will become full members of the Brotherhood. Winston even asks whether they will meet again “in the place where there is no darkness,” and O’Brien’s calm recognition deepens Winston’s trust.

All of these offers are traps. O’Brien is loyal to the Party, and his apparent generosity is a way of getting Winston to incriminate himself completely. What he offers Winston is the illusion of fellowship, knowledge, and rebellion, which makes his later betrayal especially devastating.