1984 George Orwell Betrayal Essay

Commonly, betrayal is a fundamental feature that leads individuals to follow their pursuit of security of themselves. This is apparent in George Orwell’s novel 1984 in which the Inner Party is very arrogant against unfaithfulness by society. There is no trust that individuals have for one another due to the thought police and the fear that lies in Room 101. Additionally, despite the romantic relationship that the characters of Winston Smith and Julia once shared, they eventually betray each other. Furthermore, in the end the character of Winston Smith betrays his own mind, leading him to accept Big Brother as his leader once and for all. Individuals who plan against Big Brother and the Party as a whole, will eventually either betray themselves

Where Winston resides, the government abrogates loyalty amongst loved ones. This is made evident when Parsons states “It was my little girl, said Parsons with a sort of doleful pride. She listened at the keyhole. Heard what I was saying, and nipped off to the patrols the very next day. Pretty smart for a nipper of seven, eh? I don’t bear her any grudge for it. In fact I’m proud of her. It shows I brought her up in the right spirit anyway” (Orwell, 245). Young Party comrades like the Parsons are so beaten with devotion for and propaganda by the Party that they inquire and have their own parents imprisoned for thought crime. This shows the lack of trust in Oceania as even young ones betray their family. In actuality, the majority of families hold a high degree of trust within one another without suspicion of any sort, but in Oceania this is shown otherwise.

Winston does not understand that his misdeeds must not be left exposed as they are too perilous. His betrayal towards Julia is the situation that causes his own self-betrayal. This is made evident when the novel states, “There was only one and only one way to save himself. He must interpose another human being, the body of another human, between himself and the rats” (299). In Room 101 Winston is placed in a difficult position and he knows that he must betray Julia in order to survive. Winston sees no solution to the torture in Room 101, which leads him to use his last option and betray Julia. This is noteworthy as it was something that he never planned to do. Alongside the physical torture used on the captured rebels, the Party uses psychological torture as well. Both of these leave Winston in a tough spot, so he breaks through. Additionally, after Winston’s betrayal to Julia he idolizes Big Brother and disregards his once disloyal views on Big Brother and the Party. This is demonstrated when the novel states “He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right,