1984 Betrayal Essay

Ratting Out Trust:

The Symbolism of Betrayal in George Orwell's 1984

In 1984, George Orwell shows us that betrayal isn't just a sin, it's a tool for oppression.

Winston, the main character, is stuck under the oppressive control of the government called The Party, who are workers for Big Brother. He experiences betrayal from his lover, Julia, and his friend, O’Brien, someone whom he thinks he can trust. Julia, who he thought was someone he would never be able to betray. He says to her “‘ Only feelings matter. If they could make me stop loving you – that would be the real betrayal ”’(166). O’Brien represented the rebelliousness and friendship that Winston had been seeking. He let his guard down around O’Brien and O'Brien ultimately betrays

Winston wakes up with a new memory that had come flooding to him from a dream. As the Party was taking control, fragmented food became scarce during these times. Chocolate was the only food they had left and they only had two little squares. His mother had given him his own square, but he instead chose to take the entire chocolate ration that was meant to be for the whole family, along with his own. Winston recollects that: “His mother drew her arm round the child and pressed its face against her breast. Something in the gesture told him that his sister was dying. He turned and fled down the stairs' with the chocolate growing sticky in his hand. He never saw his mother again. After he had devoured the chocolate he felt somewhat ashamed of himself” ” (122). Winston could tell from his mothers actions that he would be the reason of his sisters death. He had been the reason for his sisters death, and him along with his mother knew that. Feelings of shame arose inside of Winston because of his rat-like actions, while leaving his sister to starve, while he selfishly enjoyed his small piece of chocolate. Winston's guilty conscience was catching up to him, forcing him to recognize that his actions could not be undone and he must live with his past. He tried to push his thoughts away but the feeling

In Part III of the novel, when faced with his biggest fear, Winston betrays Julia, ratting her out so she is faced with torture instead of him, ultimately collapsing the strong loyalty bond between them. Winston was about to be faced with something he could have never imagined. Wisnton asked O’Brien what was in Room 101 and O’Brein responded that the thing that is in Room 101 is the worst thing in the world, and it varies from person to person. “In your case,' said O'Brien, 'the worst thing in the world happens to be rats…A sort of premonitory tremor, a fear of he was not certain what had passed through Winston as soon as he caught his first glimpse of the cage.” (283) The word “premonitory” is used in cases when someone feels uneasy or having a feeling that something is going to happen, especially something unpleasant. Although O’Brien doesn’t say his biggest fear is rats, Winstons experiences with rats always have betray tied to it, displaying that when Wisnton thinks of rats the reality is his fear of betrayal. Once he is in Room 101 he is faced with the cage of rats growing near and nearer to him. He was no longer able to take it when the rodents go to close: “He screams out,” ‘"Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don't care what you do to her. Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me!"’ (287) Winston is deperate not to be tortured by the rats and gives in, screaming to not be put