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1984 Betrayal Theme

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The themes of Loyalty and Betrayal are apparent throughout 1984 by George Orwell. These two themes have a profound affect on Winston, the main character. It becomes rather apparent to the reader almost immediately that betrayal is a fear of his and loyalty is his desire. The author introduces these facts in the novel almost right away. The themes of Loyalty and Betrayal affect Winston throughout the novel by forcing him to alter his actions; he must hide his fear from the children spies, he gets betrayed by O'Brien, and he decides to trust Julia and be loyal to her.

In chapter one, Winston is confronted by two children who believe that he is a thought criminal. Since the children are under the influence of the party, Winston fears getting caught. This interaction between him and Mrs. Parson’s children introduces the reader to the fact that loyalty and betrayal are both common in this society. In this example, loyalty is used to betray. The children are loyal to the party, and the party wants these children to betray adults or even their families. On page 16 of the novel, the children even accuse Winston of being a traitor by saying, “'You're a thought-criminal! You're a Eurasian spy!”(Orwell 16).

Shortly after that incident in the book, Winston meets O’Brien. …show more content…

They fall in love and pledge ultimate loyalty to each other, even in the face of their greatest fears (Novels 1). This is the second example of loyalty in the book, and the spy children are the first. This alliance between Winston and Julia shows how it is human nature to have respect and be loyal to people you love. In the case of the spy children, their youth and The Party’s tricks have blinded them to the fact that they are loyal to the wrong people and are being used to betray their loved ones. So with all of these examples of loyalty in mind, George Orwell uses them to portray how it can be a good or a bad

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