Great piece, thanks Andrew. I agree, I love his essays. It’s also a pity that so many people today, appear to be using 1984 and Animal Farm as handbooks for the pursuit of Utopianism.
My 15-year old granddaughter who will be taking her GCSE's next year, loves English Language, loves English Literature and is already a published poet (please excuse the boast). Recently we were discussing what constitutes good writing and I suggested that she reads Orwell's essay , Politics and the English Language. which Andrew didn't mention. This she duly did and last week her Mum (my daughter) got an email from my GD's English master. Apparently they had had a class discussion on this very subject and he was incredibly impressed with her knowledge and her 'intelligent and fascinating contribution'. He also thanked her for introducing him to the essay which he was totally unaware of (of which he was unaware?).
Just one thing that has nothing to do with Orwell's work: I've often wondered why he chose that name. Does anyone know?
I think most people are unaware of Orwell's essays. I remember, at 18 in 1977, buying the 4 volume collected essays that were on offer at the time. I was so impressed with the range of his writing and interests. I have, in more recent years, acquired the full 10 volumes of Orwell's essays and letters. I hope people read more this aspect of Orwell as it stands in equal brilliance to 1984 and Animal Farm.
I don’t know know the essays very well. My favourite Orwell work to date is The Road to Wigan Pier. The opening in the lodging house that doubles as a tripe shop is priceless!
You must please forgive me if you think the following comment is not sufficiently germane to Andrew's article, but I have been looking for some time for somewhere possibly suitable to publish it
We are all aware of the endless but always relevant references to the prescient quality of Orwell's '1984' but to add to the tropes there seems to me to be one omission (as far as I can see) which is highly relevant today. When I see these legions of mindless mobs all chanting for the destruction of Jews and the deification of the genocidal warriors of Hamas and how this endless vile and ignorant parade continues on, it seems to me to fit so neatly with Orwell's creation of the Hate Week or the 'two minutes hate', -- but infinitely, as far as we can see, prolonged. The Mob spews hatred at their chosen version of Emmanuel Goldstein, mindlessly ignorant of the facts and characterizing as lies any facts that don't suit them.
Like George Orwell, but in almost every other way not like him, Titania McGrath has been reliably predicting future events in accurate detail. Do you know her as well as you clearly know Orwell and might comment on if and how she has read or been influenced by him?
"The human instinct for oppressive behaviour". True of extreme left and extreme right. Understanding this before pushing for one's own political desires is fundamental. That's why the moderates must win - to avoid rule by totalitarians.
I’m glad the Washington Post has published an article by a commentator that is not so left wing to have fallen off the edge of the World. Orwell’s distain of the British occupation of Burma, was mild when compared to the Japanese invasion in WW2. The WP is been kept alive by it’s multi billionaire owner. It is still passing odious gasses like that of a beached whale. As for the ultra left comments from their readers, well, they should ask themselves why Kamala could not even win against a felon.
When I consider the incessant unreasoning hatred directed at Jews over the centuries and when I then ask myself why are we the punch bag for so many people's vilest emotions, I sometimes come up with the answer that it is something to do with us being or at any rate being seen, , rightly or wrongly as the Lord's chosen people.
This at least chimes with one of our favourite prayers: ' Lord, I know you have made us your chosen people and, Lord, I am grateful for that, but please, Lord, next time can you choose someone else?'
Great piece, thanks Andrew. I agree, I love his essays. It’s also a pity that so many people today, appear to be using 1984 and Animal Farm as handbooks for the pursuit of Utopianism.
Spot on👍
Yes indeed...
https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/december-january-2022/orwell-shes-my-self-help-guru/
Tatania McGrath being one such example.
My 15-year old granddaughter who will be taking her GCSE's next year, loves English Language, loves English Literature and is already a published poet (please excuse the boast). Recently we were discussing what constitutes good writing and I suggested that she reads Orwell's essay , Politics and the English Language. which Andrew didn't mention. This she duly did and last week her Mum (my daughter) got an email from my GD's English master. Apparently they had had a class discussion on this very subject and he was incredibly impressed with her knowledge and her 'intelligent and fascinating contribution'. He also thanked her for introducing him to the essay which he was totally unaware of (of which he was unaware?).
Just one thing that has nothing to do with Orwell's work: I've often wondered why he chose that name. Does anyone know?
A great essay. I've quoted that one in the Washington Post piece.
I believe he took the name from the River Orwell in Suffolk.
I think most people are unaware of Orwell's essays. I remember, at 18 in 1977, buying the 4 volume collected essays that were on offer at the time. I was so impressed with the range of his writing and interests. I have, in more recent years, acquired the full 10 volumes of Orwell's essays and letters. I hope people read more this aspect of Orwell as it stands in equal brilliance to 1984 and Animal Farm.
Thanks, Andrew,excellent piece.
I don’t know know the essays very well. My favourite Orwell work to date is The Road to Wigan Pier. The opening in the lodging house that doubles as a tripe shop is priceless!
Dusty
It's an excellent book.
You must please forgive me if you think the following comment is not sufficiently germane to Andrew's article, but I have been looking for some time for somewhere possibly suitable to publish it
We are all aware of the endless but always relevant references to the prescient quality of Orwell's '1984' but to add to the tropes there seems to me to be one omission (as far as I can see) which is highly relevant today. When I see these legions of mindless mobs all chanting for the destruction of Jews and the deification of the genocidal warriors of Hamas and how this endless vile and ignorant parade continues on, it seems to me to fit so neatly with Orwell's creation of the Hate Week or the 'two minutes hate', -- but infinitely, as far as we can see, prolonged. The Mob spews hatred at their chosen version of Emmanuel Goldstein, mindlessly ignorant of the facts and characterizing as lies any facts that don't suit them.
Like George Orwell, but in almost every other way not like him, Titania McGrath has been reliably predicting future events in accurate detail. Do you know her as well as you clearly know Orwell and might comment on if and how she has read or been influenced by him?
Unfortunately I understand that Titania holds Andrew in complete contempt. I think she views him as a bit of a puppet master!!
"The human instinct for oppressive behaviour". True of extreme left and extreme right. Understanding this before pushing for one's own political desires is fundamental. That's why the moderates must win - to avoid rule by totalitarians.
I’m glad the Washington Post has published an article by a commentator that is not so left wing to have fallen off the edge of the World. Orwell’s distain of the British occupation of Burma, was mild when compared to the Japanese invasion in WW2. The WP is been kept alive by it’s multi billionaire owner. It is still passing odious gasses like that of a beached whale. As for the ultra left comments from their readers, well, they should ask themselves why Kamala could not even win against a felon.
When I consider the incessant unreasoning hatred directed at Jews over the centuries and when I then ask myself why are we the punch bag for so many people's vilest emotions, I sometimes come up with the answer that it is something to do with us being or at any rate being seen, , rightly or wrongly as the Lord's chosen people.
This at least chimes with one of our favourite prayers: ' Lord, I know you have made us your chosen people and, Lord, I am grateful for that, but please, Lord, next time can you choose someone else?'
Excellent, Andrew. I am a great admirer of Bernard Crick's biography of Orwell. What do you think of it?