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

and idolize Big Brother, or be betrayed and uncovered to the Party by one of their fellow members. Overall, differing types of disloyalty are explored as a means to intensify the state of mind of separation and isolation, hence illustrating the hopelessness and flaws within the political system
Firstly, the society in Oceania is altered by the government by means of ruining trust among individuals, the establishment of the thought police and the suspicion within Room 101.

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.

Additionally, the function of the thought police in Oceania is to seek any disloyalty towards Big Brother and take action towards it. This is showcased when Winston states that “It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within range of a telescreen. The smallest thing could give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself- anything that carried with it the suggestion of abnormality, of having something to hide” (65). This government control either causes one to betray another with Big Brother’s approval or it allows the disclosure of any betrayal in regards to Big Brother. By regularly seeking symptoms of rebellious thinking by citizens, the thought police guarantee that betrayal in regards to Big Brother is not a concern. The residents who do betray Big Brother are taken care in Room 101. Winston, being such an individual endures manipulation. In the end individuals like Winston agree that no amount of loyalty can withstand the actions in Room 101. As a result, neither Winston nor Julia are able to stay loyal despite the relationship they were once a part of. In sum, due to the control by the thought police, individuals are not able to trust anyone expect themselves, not even their own parents.
Secondly, as a consequence of characters such as O’Brien’s betrayal to Winston and Julia’s betrayal to Big Brother and Winston, this leads to the ultimate arrest of Winston. O’Brien appears to be a trustworthy friend of Winston for the majority of time, but as time passes, this changes as well. This is evident when the novel states “I am with you, O’Brien seemed to be saying to him. I know precisely what you are feeling. I know all about your contempt, your hatred, your disgust. But don’t worry, I am on your side” (19). At the beginning, it seems as if Obrien is someone that Winston can trust as one would with a friend. Towards the end, however, O`Brien opposes the trust that Winston imparted in him. O`Brien becomes Winston`s investigator and the one who tortures him as opposed to the friend that he once appeared to be. This is significant as it shows how such occurrences made Winston keep hope that others were against the Party as well. Furthermore, Julia disguises as a member of the Junior Anti- Sex League although she betrays the Party by having sex with Winston. Julia rebels against the Party to a small degree as a means for sexual pleasure, but not to the extent of Winston. This is made clear when Julia states, “I don’t mean confessing. Confession is not betrayal. What you say or do doesn’t matter: only feelings matter. If they could make me stop loving you- that would be the real betrayal” (173). Julia says that betrayal would be not loving him, but she demonstrates while in the Ministry of Truth when she does indeed stop loving Winston. By doing so, Julia ends up betraying both the Party and Winston. In the end, the betrayal of Julia is evident as she looks at Winston cluelessly. These events are what lead Winston to the action of self- betrayal ultimately.
Furthermore, Winston’s eventual betrayal to himself evolves as the storyline continues, and in the course of time it results at him viewing Big Brother as superior to him.

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,

everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother” (311). At one point, Winston was devoted to his views and his choice to die for independence. Later on, Winston revaluates his decisions by betraying his views and himself, and becoming a loyal devotee of Big Brother. Winston’s battle with his attentions to betray the party prove to be pointless as in the end he betrays himself.
Overall, betrayal results in being a constant force in the society and the lives of the main characters, O’Brien and Julia. By way of several misguided events of disloyalty the protagonist, Winston Smith, showcases his last act of betrayal, which is to himself. The government boosts citizens to betray one another by eliminating trust and making it clear that disloyalty towards Big Brother will be dealt with immediately. O’Brien’s demonstrates that others cannot trust one another easily, but can easily be disloyal to them as a result of his many experiences. The betrayals of Julia and Winston illustrate that one must never succeed in opposing to Big Brothers government, no matter what the situation is. Truly, no amount of love or loyalty towards something or someone can ever succeed the ways of life that one is accustomed to, causing acts of betrayal.

Works Cited
Orwell, George. 1984. Penguin Group. Toronto: Penguin Group (Canada). 2008.