I Must Betray You Essay Questions

Analyze the title I Must Betray You within the context of the story. How does betrayal play a role in the characters' lives and the world they live in?

Living under the Ceaușescu regime, the people of Bucharest are frequently faced with impossible choices to guarantee their survival. Cristian, like many of his peers, is blackmailed into informing for the Secu, an extensive citizen spy network. Though Cristian does not want to betray his friends, like Dan Van Dorn, by telling their secrets to the government, he feels compelled to comply with the Securiate to save his grandfather's life and protect his family. Similarly, Cristian's other family members feel they "must betray" their loved ones, as Cici informs on Cristian to the Secu, enduring sexual exploitation so she can obtain passports for herself and Cristian and save others' lives. Cristian's mother also exchanges information about Bunu to guarantee her children's safety. Thus, the title of the text indicates that betrayal is a complex choice that the oppressed characters must make to save themselves and others.

What role do the Secu reports play in the narrative and the creation of dramatic irony?

During his meetings with Agent Paddle Hands, Cristian attempts to undermine the Secu and obtain his own information by purposefully withholding information and connecting with Paddle Hands using their shared interests. Cristian leaves these meetings feeling that he "won" the interaction, justifying his choice to work as an informer and alleviating his fears. However, the Secu reports indicate that Agent Paddle Hands noticed Cristian's "smug" attitude and his attempts to "manipulate" the conversation. Additionally, the reports indicate that the Secu deemed Cristian disposable after Dan Van Dorn leaves Romania, putting Cristian in great danger. The Secu reports also create a sense of tension and mystery, as Cristian's private interactions with Liliana and other friends are detailed in Secu documents. Throughout the novel, the reader wonders who is really tracking Cristian.

Analyze the different forms of resistance characters use throughout the novel. How do small rebellions culminate in the Romanian revolution?

Cristian and his friends resist the regime's draconian rules by finding moments of joy and opportunities for self-expression. Neighbors, mainly Starfish, import contraband goods, like Coca-Cola, and host movie nights where teenagers gather to experience fun and escapism. Cristian resists censorship by recording his thoughts in his notebook, which he gives to Mr. Van Dorn, and using jokes to express his true feelings covertly. As Cristian and his peers connect more with the world outside Romania through these small rebellions, they grow increasingly discontent and unwilling to maintain the silent status quo, like their parents. Thus, when the Soviet Union begins to fall, young people lead Romania to independence.

Why is Cristian's dream of being a writer significant to his character development?

Cristian initially takes English classes to get close to Liliana, his romantic interest. However, by learning English, he gains access to taboo writings, such as travelogues critical of Romania, American newspapers and magazines, and the work of classic philosophers. Cristian dreams of becoming a writer as he feels unable to fully express his experiences and thoughts under the regime. He also connects with Liliana over their shared love of literature and begins to imagine a future for himself, which emboldens him to protest the dictatorship.

Analyze how surveillance and deception influence Cristian's interpersonal relationships.

Like everyone else in Bucharest, Cristian lives his life constantly afraid of surveillance. Knowing his apartment is bugged, he speaks in code, using jokes to express his discontent and hiding his journal under the floors. Cristian's relationship with his parents is tense and distant, as his father remains silent for fear of surveillance, and his mother discourages him from speaking his mind. When Cristian begins his relationship with Liliana, he frequently questions if she is informing on him, which makes him feel guilty and mistrustful. Because he grew up in an environment where surveillance and deception were commonplace, Crisitan suspects his best friend, Luca, of informing on him and creates distance, eventually escalating their feud to physical violence. Cristian values his relationship with Bunu over all others, as Bunu's willingness to ignore surveillance makes their relationship authentic and deep.