1984 Betrayal Essay

1229 Words5 Pages
In the novel 1984 written by George Orwell betrayal is an important theme that is emphasized in the novel. Betrayal is the act of “using treachery or disloyalty to expose someone’s true feelings”. Betrayal is greatly used in the society of Oceania from the government’s manipulation and by the acts of the characters like O’Brien and Julia, who betray Winston. Through the way the society is formed and O’Brien and Julia’s choices, Winston is faced with self- betrayal and changes by becoming loyal towards Big Brother. In Oceania the society is manipulated by the government through destroying trust of people, the creation of the thought police and the fear that lies in Room named 101. This government manipulation causes people to betray one another something which is approved by the ‘’Big brother” since it allows the discovery of any type of betrayal towards Big Brother. In the society where Winston lives the government has abolished the trust, love and bonding between family and friends, “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” (pg.245). There is no trust in Oceania considering that even children betray their own parents. In reality most families place their trust in each other with no fear of betrayal. The role of the thought police in Oceania is to destroy any thoughts made against the Big Brother, “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

More about 1984 Betrayal Essay

Open Document