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How Does Orwell Show Betrayal In 1984

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Nature of Betrayal in Nineteen Eighty-Four Renowned author, George Orwell, successfully creates a dystopian environment in his futuristic novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Orwell continuously utilizes the theme of betrayal in order to illustrate the narcissistic ideals of a totalitarian society, and to highlight the fragile nature of relationships and how easily they are broken. Treachery is prevalent in Orwell’s dictatorial society through government manipulation and the betrayal of the novel’s protagonist by characters, Julia and O’Brien. Orwell highlights the government’s manipulative reputation and their ability to promote betrayal amongst the citizens of Oceania, through the establishment of the Thought Police and Room 101. Trust is an unattainable, unachievable …show more content…

Heard what I was saying, and nipped off to the patrols the very next day”, (Page 245). The government manages to prioritize themselves in the people’s lives, supplanting human instinct and morality. Encouraged by Big Brother’s possessive ideals, Parsons’ daughter decides to betray her own father and report him to the Thought Police. Idealistically, families are meant to offer one another unconditional trust and protection, without fear of exposure or treason. Parsons’ daughter however, oversees these morals, in order to prove her devotion to Big Brother and achieve her self-righteous motives. She, along with her father, justifies her actions as a proclamation of commitment to the Party, rather than one of delinquency and unfaithfulness to her family. Orwell’s purpose is to portray the possessive characteristics of the government, and how they impose their beliefs on the nature of their citizens. Relationships are bound to be unsuccessful, as selfish desires will evidently overrule all human emotion. Additionally, Orwell elaborates the concept of betrayal through the devious and menacing representation of Room 101.

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