Many works of literature contain a character who intentionally deceives others. The character’s dishonesty may be intended either to help or to hurt. Such a character, for example, may choose to mislead others for personal safety, to spare someone’s feelings, or to carry out a crime. In 1984, written by George Orwell, the protagonist, Winston Smith, lives in a dystopian country, Oceania, in which he tried to define every aspect from his life from wrong to right. However acting compulsively, trusting the wrong people, and becoming selfish leads him to unintentionally decievie the woman he loved and himself.
It is evident that the first reason Winston deceived himself through his compulsive actions was from feeling free to becoming incredulous. FInding himself in an antique store and impulsively acting by buying a journal was the commencement before his acknowledgment of his criminal thoughts. However, his obsession to learn more and go against Big Brother drove him to further his thoughts into actions. He proceeded to write in his journal aware that “if detected” he is anticipated to be punished “by death, or… labor camp” (pg 94). In this situation, Winston is ready to test the limits of Big Brother and the power they have within the people of the Four Ministires of Truth. He internally battles with himself to seek his past, and with failure, blames Big Brother for his present where he has missing memories and is not satisfied with his way of life. He later meets a woman who he truly loathed for being a younger generation. Ironically, meeting Julia and having sex with her is a an action he willinlgy takes, even when jeapordizing himself and Julia’s safety just to break a rule. “I hate purity, I hate goodness” (pg 206). Essentially, for Winston and Julia, they share the same opinion and act against the laws of Big Brother and their tyrant governor with the suspense of being caught sooner or later.
Henceforth, the belief of rebellion grows into the couple’s actions and thoughts and is uncovered through betrayal and diguise. With fear and admiration, Winston encountered himself being invited to see O’brein, an inner party member. “It is unwise even for party members…” O’brien says to convince Winston that he also acts against Big Brother by being part of the brotherhood (pg 249). In response, Winston takes O’brein’s word because with way, liar or not, Winston would be caught and his deep obsession over the power O’brein has blinds him to believe otherwise. O’brien continues with his disguise by discussing a book about “the true nature of the society” and the route in the book is the key to destroy it (pg 251). Physiologically, playing with one’s own high power to impersonate someone they are not is likely to be convincing because if one is not a stranger to the consequences which can result in an immense loss (high status) is insane unless they are led by deep emotions. Therefore, it was a piece of cake for Big Brother’s loyal members to expose the rebels. Mr. Charlington taking a part of their capture was unexpected for Winston. It was too late when he “with knowledge” relized Charlington was “a member of the Thought Police” (Pg 299). Blinded by his prior knowledge that the poroles were not considered humans to the members of Big Brother he felt safe within them since there were no telecreen around that would watch them. But once acting against Big Brother, he grew compassionate towards the paroles as he felt that he could relate and understood that they were the only ones who were actually free of Big Brother and free of the world. Despite all, this encounter brought him to be caught and taken by O’brein who resulted to be an actual believer of Big Brother. If he would have not gotten arrested or trust in O’brein, he probably would have the liberty of his own thoughts.
Nevertheless, his selfishness in custody was born from torture and instinct of being in the bridge of his own hell that succeeded him to betray Julia and be consumed by the guilt and reality of Big Brother. Julia had already forshadowed that “Everyone always confesses” but Winston had imputed that “confession is not betrayal” until they actually gave up their feelings for each other (pg 243). In general, like many dystopian books, having some sort of freedom or creativity is actually staying human and going against the illusion of a perfect functioning society. Big Brother has “won the victory over” Winston. “He loved Big Brother” (pg 370). For O’brien, it was not enough. O’brien agreed that even death was not a satification for Big Brother until they actually gave up entirely. With torture in room 101 his emotions became numb until he did not love Julia anymore or even hate Big Brother. At this, it was the actual betrayal he feared of. Without the feeling of love for Julia, and not questioning the system, Big Brother conquered him and owns him.
Essentially, Big Brother was able to defeat Winston, until his feelings, the only untethered human characteristic that was flowing in freedom, erupted into nothingless. His betrayal forn Julia for not loving her anymore created a lifeless human caused by his obsession to prove himself and the system less than they are, being tricked and blinded to becoming selfish enough for his own life and giving up Julia forever.
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