preview

1984 Betrayal Essay

Decent Essays

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a fiction novel about totalitarianism and the destiny of a man who tried to escape from a political power. The book was written by George Orwell in 1948 and had the Soviet Union as a prototype of the government described in it. In the book, betrayal is a recurring theme. Every single character in the book has betrayed one another throughout the story. A Nineteen Eighty-Four society is very untrustworthy. Orwell explores various kinds of betrayal, including the main character’s self-betrayal, to heighten the mood of loneliness and alienation. Through the Two Minutes Hate, the daily telescreen propaganda and Junior Spies, citizens of Airstrip One are filled with fear of the Party, independent thinking is destroyed, …show more content…

Initially, Winston believes she is deeply connected to the party, but once she approaches him, they begin a love affair. Their actions and feelings of hope and love are a symbol of the Party’s weakness. Their love affair is a direct rebellion to what the Party allows. It was not just the simple act of being together, but everything that it involved. Winston had to rent a secret room from the shop owner, Charrington. This meant that not only did he trust Charrington, but that he had a safe haven away from the eyes of Big Brother. Until Winston met Julia, he believed no one could be trusted. He saw betrayal in everyone, including neighbors and children. He even believes at one point that he may have murdered his own mother. However, Julia was very carefree. Her rebellion to the Party was not for the intent to overthrow it, but simply for her own amusement. While she was a member of the Anti-sex league, she secretly had affairs with many men. Winston’s affair with Julia gives him the courage to approach O’Brien about the Brotherhood, an underground group trying to overthrow the Party. However, eventually, both Winston and Julia are captured by the Thoughtpolice because Charrington was secretly a part of them. Orwell details the torture of Winston and the great lengths that O’Brien has

Get Access