1984 Dialectical Journal 3

“To the confusion of the thought police? To the death of Big Brother? To Humanity? To the future?”
“To the past,” said Winston.

The quote represents Winston’s dedication in preserving the past, the past that he desires to preserve the past. It represents that in the previous quote “Those who control the present control the past,” the fact that the overthrowing of Big Brother would allow Winston to reveal the past.

“We are the dead,” he said.
“We are the dead,” echoed Julia dutifully.
“You are the dead,” said an iron voice behind them.

It indicates that their generation is unable to overthrow the iron rule of the party. The cause seems hopeless, except, for to Winston, the human spirit that will live on forever. The plot turns spiraling down as the events unfold against the main characters. This is the one point, when Winston basically “jinxed” his words by uttering that sentence. They are now at the mercy of the Party, the dead, no more alive for the sake of the Brotherhood.