George Orwell: Rebel to Patriot

Amber Boyd 5-10-02 George Orwell: Rebel to Patriot When the Spanish Civil war broke out, George Orwell was very much a political rebel. Orwell was a Democratic Socialist in England during a time when Socialism was not accepted. He joined the Spanish militia to help fight the fascist coup when the English government would do nothing to help the Spanish democratic government. Events that occurred while Orwell was in Spain, as described in Homage to Catalonia, and after he returned home caused Orwell to question his political views and the views he held toward his own country. These new, more patriotic, attitudes are expressed in the essay England, Your England. When Orwell arrived in Barcelona, a form of socialism had taken hold of the area. Orwell described it as such, "It was the first time that I had ever been in a town where the working class was in the saddle. In outward appearance it was a town in which the wealthy classes had practically ceased to exist." Orwell's immediate reaction to the situation was to find it odd, even dislike it, but at the same time, find it "worth fighting for." The Spanish militia was organized in a similar classless way. Everyone from private to general received the same pay, lived in the same conditions, and shared what little they had. Orwell gave part of the credit for success of socialism's early stages in Spain to the Spanish

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Write on the corruption of language as a theme and fear in Dystopian fiction

Write on the corruption of language as a theme and fear in Dystopian fiction In the Dystopian fiction of Huxley and Orwell, language is a central function in their critique of utopias: societies formed in subservience to ideology. As ideas have been seen to usurp reality, then language is seen to overcome thought. Thus Dystopian fiction also articulates a very contemporary fear (which developed into Postmodernism) that language, although the very core structure of perception, is - in the last analysis - without absolute foundation. Once language is manipulated, then reality becomes fluid too: language, as the route to a dictatorship of consciousness, shows that he who controls the word, controls the world. Dystopian fiction takes this pairing of language and society in their controlled, Utopian forms, and uses it not only to question the consequences of ideological idealism, but to posit an even more worrying possibility about 'real' society. Crucial to the concept of the Dystopian novel is the anti-hero. Both Orwell and Huxley are careful to make their protagonists misfits. The physical weakness of Bernard is a direct analogue for the insipid, aging body of Winston. Both are given to solitary, socially marginalised (and hence secretive) pursuits. Bernard is treated with mistrust because he does not participate in the liberated sexual play. In the more sinister society of

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Analysis of "Animal Farm" By - George Orwell -

"Animal Farm" By - George Orwell - Sitting in front of my computer and reflecting about a historical representation, where I should bring in evidence it's political underlying, which of course is one and the same with its author's political views. I thought about this animated movie that I saw long time ago and later read the book from which originated, during my high school years," The Animal Farm" of George Orwell, a book that I should say I loved it . The story of the book is related to a true eveniment that happened in Russia and later would change not only the history of the country but of the entire world, where everyone had a different sentiment about what was happening and expressing it in also in many different ways. George Orwell decides to write a book where he will express his ideas and opinions by using one of the oldest weapons in the history of literature the language of Aesop; Symbology and Satire. George Orwell gives a very vivid and accurate account of what happened in Russia after Czar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate .Being a satire, most of the characters and events have a parallel in Stalinist Russia. Minor characters in the story also symbolize things that are very relevant to the history of Russia. Mr. Jones is the embodiment of the old government, of the monarchy where the autocrat takes all without giving anything; he is the last of the

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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A.J.P Taylor : A Controversial Historian.

ID Number: 200142100 HIST 101 Summative Essay Topic: A.J.P Taylor: A Controversial Historian 'As an historian, Taylor was constantly let down by his impulse to show off: it led him to sensationalise, and thereby to trivialise, his subject.' Discuss Alan Taylor was one of the leading and arguably one of the most famous if not the most famous historian of the twentieth century. His narrative style of writing won him much praise and criticism. He was once quoted as saying, when speaking of one of his most greatest works English History 1914 - 1945, 'The first function of an historian was to answer the child's question, "What happened next?"'1 In many peoples eyes he was seen as an historian of the people. Taylor was an enormously charismatic and authoritative figure, he was fiercely articulate, intelligent and authoritative. He was widely read, it has been estimated he read over 7,100 books between 1914 and 1985,2 he had a retentive and analytical mind. He was renowned for his quickness, he gained this reputation from the many debates he took part him. However this quickness, lead many to believe he was rather superficial, he did not probe deeply enough into his subjects, which leads us to the question of whether he did trivialise his subjects through his exhibitionist nature. In order to answer this question, one ought to look at three of Taylor's most famous works,

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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After reading Caputo's book called "A Rumor of War", I gained a better understanding and appreciation for the Vietnam War

After reading Caputo's book called "A Rumor of War", I gained a better understanding and appreciation for the Vietnam War. Caputo's autobiographical account of his time as officer assigned to help the South Vietnamese recover, will take you on a journey from out of class and place you into " the muddy foxholes with him, make you feel the heat and annoyance ever-present insects, and snipers shots that will deprive you of sleep. If you really want to know what "Nam"was really like, and you can handle the despair of being stranded in the jungle with no reason, then I strongly recommend reading the book called "A Rumor of War" written by Philip Caputo.Before Philip Caputo landed at Da Nang in 1965 with the first U.S Group combat unit committed to fight in Vietnam, he was like most American boys excited about joing the U.S Marines in search of adventure and patriotic desire of serving there country, his mission was very clear, "were going to stay there a month go 90 days,help the South Vietnamese recover, and then we would get out there". There was such a strong moral and there was a kind of feeling .."that being US. Marines, our mere presence was going to terrify the enemy into quitting." As the story continues, we eventually learn that Caputo as would eventually learn that the US would make a massive commitment to Vietnam. The book continues with showing how a normal mentally

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Shooting an Elephant Analysis

Jessica Greenwood Ms. Hemann APLAC Period 6 20 September 2007 Shooting an Elephant Analysis George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant" is a well-written retelling of an event that took place in Orwell's younger years. However, it is more than just a story. When Orwell wrote this essay, he wanted to do more than simply recount an event. Orwell's essay discusses his view on politics and morals, and through his writing he was able to go through a personal catharsis. Throughout "Shooting and Elephant," Orwell talks about the evils of imperialism. He was a European policeman in Burma, and the Burmese feeling toward all Europeans was extremely negative. Orwell was aware that the Burmese people hated him, and for this he was resentful towards them. On one hand he was furious with the Burmese people who jeered at him, but on the other hand he knew they had a good reason to be doing so. Secretly, though, he agreed with them, and he knew that the government he was working for was unfairly oppressing the Burmese. As he says in his essay, "imperialism was an evil thing," and he was "all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British" (69). Later on in the essay, he reminisces that the incident of shooting an elephant helped him to realize "the real nature of imperialism - the real motives for which despotic governments act" (70). At first he did not want

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Why was Orwell compelled to shoot the Elephant and what was his feeling at the end?

**Why was Orwell compelled to shoot the Elephant and what was his feeling at the end? - "I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I have done it solely to avoid looking like a fool". So ends George Orwell's poignant reminiscence of an incident representing the imperialist British in Burma. Orwell is one of the greatest practitioners of English prose and "Shooting an Elephant", vivid, passionate, but simple, clear and direct, is an excellent example of political writing at its best. It chronicles an incident in which Orwell confronts a moral dilemma and abandons his morals to escape the mockery of the native Burmese. The story takes place in colonial Burma where there is a lot of tension between the British and the Burmese. Orwell being the sub divisional police officer was obviously hated by the Burmese. One day he got news of an elephant ravishing the bazaar and goes there to see what he can do about it. As Orwell came upon the elephant peacefully eating grass, he knew that he is not going to harm the animal, but rather watch him and make sure it doesn't go mad again. Orwell then notices the immense crowd of natives that has formed around him, all hoping to get a little entertainment. At this moment Orwell decided to shoot the elephant, although he had no intention of doing so before. Now the question is why did Orwell shoot the elephant, when he already

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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George Orwell is issued a challenge, one that seems near next to impossible to defeat.

George Orwell is issued a challenge, one that seems near next to impossible to defeat. The challenged offered by Victor Gollanez, a left - wing publisher. Orwell is to stay in Wigan Pier, the Northern part of Britain, and write about his experience. This experience influenced Orwell's political views, and strengthened his perspective on the position of class. Orwell is a pro socialist who believes that the depression of a country is all blamed on the system. Living alongside miners, he is shown conditions which his 'bourgeoisie' side hasn't been exposed to before. The miners, who work countless hours despite being underpaid, are looked down upon as dirty and as if they do not bath, by the middle class. Orwell is led to believe that the reason the miners are this way is the result of industrialism and the system they live in: "You cannot disregard them if you accept the civilization that produced them." (Orwell,14)1. The historical events, and 'money - grubbing' people have let all this happen: "...and this is where it all led...with sickly aging people creeping round and round like them black beetles." 2 Orwell notices that the 'slum' people can't help it as he watches this young woman, in the depths of survival, who "knew exactly what was happening to her."3 Another aspect of the masses that Orwell exaggerates is 'the smell, the dominant and essential thing, is

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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1984 - George Orwell

"On each landing, opposite the lift shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran." (Orwell 4 "Nineteen"). George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four presents a negative utopian picture, a society ruled by rigid totalitarianism. The government which Orwell creates in his novel is ruled by an entity known as Big Brother and consists of three branches. The Ministry of Truth, overseeing the distribution of propaganda and other printed materials, the Ministry of War, the millitary unit, and the Ministry of Love, the law enforcement division, make up the government. The main character, Winston Smith, does not completely accept the ideology that is fed to him by the government, through the concept of Big Brother. When one examines George Orwell's life, it can be clearly seen that he personifies his political perceptions, social and aesthetic characteristics, and self-examination of his own writing, through Winston Smith, in Nineteen Eighty-Four. Orwell's political perceptions, especially his skepticism of mass media, are given life through Winston Smith. Spending time working for the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), Orwell experienced many distorted truths and propaganda (Woodcock 9). This led to an intense

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Orwell & Marx Animalism vs. Marxism

Orwell & Marx Animalism vs. Marxism ³Every line I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism, quotes George Orwell in the preface to the 1956 Signet Classic edition of Animal Farm. The edition, which sold several millions copies, however, omitted the rest of the sentence: and for democratic Socialism, as I understand it.² It is in Animal Farm, written in 1944 but not published until after World War Two in 1945, which Orwell offers a political and social doctrine whose ideas and ideols can be seen in all of his proceeding works. In an essay published in the summer of 1946 entitled Why I Write,² Orwell claimed to have been motivated over the preceding ten years by a desire to make political writing into an art.² In the essay, he states that in Animal Farm he had for the first time in his writing career consciously tried to achieve this goal ‹ to harmonize political concerns with artistry² (Twayne, 17). Orwell, however, for reasons such as the omitted portion of his preface and misreadings of his novels, has been mislabeled a traitor of Socialism or a hero to the right wing by theorists and critics. His book, besides a parody of Stalinist Russia, intends to show that Russia was not a true democratic Socialist country. Looked at carefully, Animal Farm is a criticism of Karl Marx as well as a novel perpetuating his convictions

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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