Hegemonic Power and Betrayal in 1984 by George Orwell

Abstract

This thesis explores how power works in George Orwell’s novel 1984. It focuses on a power called hegemonic power. This type of power not only uses violence to control people but also shapes their beliefs and values. The study uses Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony to explain how the ruling group in the novel, known as the Party, keeps control over people by making them accept the system as normal. In 1984, the Party used many tools to control people’s minds and actions. These tools include constant spying, the use of a language called Newspeak, false information, and public rituals that make people express hate together. The goal is to break people’s ability to think clearly and to make them feel that loyalty to the Party is the only way to stay safe. Even families are not safe. Children are taught to report their parents if they say something wrong. Through these systems, the Party teaches people that betrayal is not only normal but also necessary. The thesis shows that betrayal in the novel is not just a result of fear. It is something planned by the system. People like Winston and Julia betray each other after being tortured, but their betrayal also shows how deeply the Party has taken over their minds. Other characters, like Mr. Parsons, feel proud when their own children report them. Those in power, like O’Brien and Mr. Charrington, pretend to help the rebels but later turn them in. These examples show that betrayal is not a mistake. It is part of how the Party maintains its power. The study also looks at Orwell’s real-life experiences to understand his message. Orwell fought in the Spanish Civil War and worked for the BBC. Both events taught him how truth can be twisted and how language can be used to control people. These experiences shaped his view of power and helped him create the world of 1984. The novel is not just fiction. It is a warning about what can happen when people stop questioning authority and accept control without thinking. In the end, this thesis shows that 1984 is a powerful message about how power can shape people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Orwell warns that when power takes control of language, truth, and relationships, people may lose the ability to resist. The novel teaches us to be careful of systems that demand loyalty at the cost of love, truth, and freedom. By using a strong literary story and deep political ideas, Orwell invites the reader to reflect on their own society and to ask how much control is too much.