Books
by George Orwell
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Animal Farm & Nineteen Eighty-Four |
Having watched a school production of Animal Farm recently, I have re-read both of Orwell's classics. The revolt by the animals against an alcoholic bullying farmer is popular and initially successful but their democracy is soon replaced by an even worse form of dictatorship. "All animals are equal" becomes "Some animals are more equal than others". In Nineteen Eighty-Four, in a country controlled by "Big Brother" who watches everybody constantly, Winston Smith manages to elude this surveillance - including having a secret affair with Julia; they are betrayed and pay a terrible price for their illusory freedom. Both books are still powerfully valid.
(James Baker - bwl 69 Summer 2013) |
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Burmese Days |
A modern classic which has since become required reading for anyone travelling to Burma, this shocking portrait of British colonial life was Orwell's first, and somewhat stilted, novel. He based it on his experience as a policeman in the 1920's. Some say that the bigotry and corruption he paints were contributory factors behind Aung Sang's decision to take the country out of the Commonwealth on gaining independence in 1947. That may be overstating the case.
(Jeremy Miller - bwl 56 Spring 2010) |
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Politics and the English Language |
I last read this essay, written in 1945 and first published in Horizon, when studying O Level English in the 1950’s. His views on the debasement of language and linguistic decline are still pertinent and his contention that ‘political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible’ could not be better put. The Bodleian Library’s reprint, edited by D J Taylor, also reminds us of the clarity and elegance of Orwell’s literary output.
(Jeremy Miller - bwl 113 Summer 2024) |
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The Road to Wigan Pier |
Published in 1937, Section 1 reports on the working and living conditions of miners during the Depression and explores the roots of class distinction in England. Section 2 is an urgent call for Socialism to defend the West against Fascism. Despite Orwell’s hyperbolic style and dubious claims, could his Big Brother today be in the form of internet data collection, cctv cameras and propaganda regarding LGBTQ+, wokeism, cancel culture, racism, children being allowed to identify as cats etc? Highly recommended food for thought.
(Denise Lewis - bwl 109 Summer 2023) |
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