1984 By George Orwell: Character Analysis

A Triumph Among Turmoil Loyalty is defined as the quality of being loyal to someone or something. Naturally people are going to wonder if loyalty can be bought, sold, or stolen. In the novel 1984, by George Orwell, Orwell explored the depths of loyalty through the main character Winston Smith. Through this characters relationships, experiences, and where his loyalties rested. He discovered many things about himself when he decided to break away from the flow of his society and committed crimes that he knew were punishable by death. However, this did not stop him from expressing himself and putting his allegiance into people and acts that he believed were necessary. Although Winston was pressured by the government to be loyal to it, he showed
Winston formed a friendship with his wife Katherine, but separated because she did not want to have children. The party does not allow divorce but encourages separation if no children become of the relationship. Winston's life positively changed when he found another women whose name was Julia. While Julia and Winston were together they usually committed crimes such as sexual immorality or think crimes, which are punishable by death. Julia, along with other women in the party are taught their whole lives that sexual interactions are corrupt, and if you disobey this law then you lose your allegiance to the party. Although Julia and Winston's relationship was strong, when under torture Winston could not take the pain and deceived Julia. "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!" (Orwell 286). In this situation Winston crumbled under the pressure of rats which were about to savagely attack his face and gave into his weakness by betraying
Winston and Julia become close through their acts of dissent and together they formulated an idea that they wanted to discuss something important with a man named O'Brien. Winston talks to him about his suspicion that O'Brien is non conformed with the party. After talking to O'Brien he gives the two a false sense of hope that he is against the party and Winston is convinced that he is on their side. "Again the feeing of helplessness descended upon Winston. His eyes flitted toward the dial. He not only did not know whether "yes" or "no" was the answer that would save him from pain; he did not even know which answer he believed to be the true one" (Orwell 248). This quote is during the point of time when Winston is being tortured by O'Brien and makes knows that his assumptions about him disliking the party were false. Although this was painful to endure, Winston survived and felt stronger because of it, also feeling a sense of obedience to O'Brien. Throughout the story Winston's loyalty has shifted from a split loyalty between the brotherhood and Julia to a single allegiance to Big