A HangingA Hanging – George – George OrwellOrwell

George Orwell - BiographyGeorge Orwell - Biography Eric Arthur BlairEric Arthur Blair (25 June (25 June

1903 – 21 January 1950), 1903 – 21 January 1950), better known by his pen name better known by his pen name George OrwellGeorge Orwell, was an , was an English author. His work is English author. His work is marked by a profound marked by a profound consciousness of social consciousness of social injustice, an intense opposition injustice, an intense opposition to totalitarianism, and a to totalitarianism, and a passion for clarity in language.passion for clarity in language.

Considered perhaps the 20th Considered perhaps the 20th century's best chronicler of century's best chronicler of English culture, he wrote works English culture, he wrote works in many different genres in many different genres including novels, essays, including novels, essays, polemic journalism, and polemic journalism, and poetry. His most famous works poetry. His most famous works are the satirical novel are the satirical novel Animal Animal FarmFarm (1945) and the dystopian (1945) and the dystopian novel novel Nineteen Eighty-FourNineteen Eighty-Four (1949).(1949).

A HangingA Hanging - Context - Context

In the 1920’s the south-In the 1920’s the south-easteast

Asian country, Asian country, BurmaBurma, , (now known as(now known as MyanmarMyanmar) was part of ) was part of British Empire.British Empire.

As a young man George As a young man George Orwell enlisted with the Orwell enlisted with the Indian Imperial PoliceIndian Imperial Police and quickly attained the and quickly attained the rank of Assistant District rank of Assistant District Superintendent.Superintendent.

A HangingA Hanging - Context - Context

During his time as a British police During his time as a British police officer in an Asian country, Orwell officer in an Asian country, Orwell experienced, first hand, the social experienced, first hand, the social inequalities present in a country inequalities present in a country ruled by a foreign power. These ruled by a foreign power. These experiences went on to inform much experiences went on to inform much of his written work including his of his written work including his essay, essay,

A HangingA Hanging. .

Summary - NoteSummary - Note

A HangingA Hanging is a is a reflectionreflection on one of the on one of the many judicial executions witnessed by many judicial executions witnessed by Orwell in his official capacity as a chief of Orwell in his official capacity as a chief of justice. Orwell’s detailed observations of justice. Orwell’s detailed observations of the prisoner and the events leading up to the prisoner and the events leading up to his eventual death illuminate the banal his eventual death illuminate the banal reality of death and highlight his reality of death and highlight his strongstrong anti-capital punishment sentimentsanti-capital punishment sentiments. .

Writer’s Purpose - NoteWriter’s Purpose - Note

When producing a written piece of work all When producing a written piece of work all writers will have a particular purpose in writers will have a particular purpose in mind which they wish to communicate to mind which they wish to communicate to the reader. In the reader. In A Hanging,A Hanging, Orwell makes a Orwell makes a social commentsocial comment about about capital capital punishment. punishment.

Through his clever use of language Through his clever use of language techniques such astechniques such as imagery, symbolism, imagery, symbolism, tone tone andand word choice word choice Orwell evokes the Orwell evokes the reader’s sympathy for the prisoner’s plight.reader’s sympathy for the prisoner’s plight.

Questions – Paras 1 and 2Questions – Paras 1 and 2

1.1. What evidence is there for the What evidence is there for the poor condition of the prisoners?poor condition of the prisoners?

For each quote explain, in as much detail For each quote explain, in as much detail as you can, the reason for your choice.as you can, the reason for your choice.

2. 2. Why do you think Orwell chose to Why do you think Orwell chose to include such detailed description include such detailed description of the prisoner’s conditionsof the prisoner’s conditions??

Sympathy for the Prisoner - Sympathy for the Prisoner - SettingSetting

The The setting setting described in the opening described in the opening lines of the essay immediately lines of the essay immediately highlights the poor conditions in which highlights the poor conditions in which the prisoners are kept.the prisoners are kept.

““A sickly lightA sickly light…” – …” – connotations ofconnotations of prisoner healthprisoner health

““small animal cagessmall animal cages” – ” – inhumaneinhumane conditionsconditions

““ten feet by ten feet and was quite ten feet by ten feet and was quite barebare””

Sympathy for the Prisoner – Sympathy for the Prisoner – Physical Description Physical Description

““squattingsquatting” – ” – continues animal continues animal imageimage

““a puny wisp of a mana puny wisp of a man” – ” – suggestssuggests malnourishment and neglectmalnourishment and neglect..

““sprouting moustache, absurdly too sprouting moustache, absurdly too big for his bodybig for his body.” .” Comic image Comic image further emphasises the further emphasises the prisoner’sprisoner’s frailtyfrailty. .

QuestionQuestion

1.1. How does the description of the How does the description of the prisoner compare with the prisoner compare with the descriptions of the guards in descriptions of the guards in paragraphs 2 and 4?paragraphs 2 and 4?

In what way does this comparison In what way does this comparison contribute to the contribute to the writer’s writer’s purposepurpose??

NoteNote

The prison guards are described as;The prison guards are described as;““tall Indian warderstall Indian warders” and one, in ” and one, in

particular, as a “particular, as a “fat Dravidianfat Dravidian””

These descriptions of healthy, well-fed These descriptions of healthy, well-fed guards contrast with the ill treatment guards contrast with the ill treatment of the prisoners .of the prisoners .

In doing so Orwell stimulates the In doing so Orwell stimulates the reader’s sympathy – reader’s sympathy – writer’s Purposewriter’s Purpose

QuestionQuestion

For what crime is the prisoner being For what crime is the prisoner being executed?executed?

NoteNote

Orwell Orwell omitsomits to mention the to mention the prisoner’s crime as he does not want prisoner’s crime as he does not want the reader to make any judgement the reader to make any judgement about the whether or not the death about the whether or not the death penalty was justified.penalty was justified.

By focussing solely on the process of By focussing solely on the process of killing another human being Orwell killing another human being Orwell exposes the brutal reality of capital exposes the brutal reality of capital punishment – punishment – writer’s purposewriter’s purpose..

QuestionQuestion

Why do you think Orwell decided to Why do you think Orwell decided to include a detailed description of the include a detailed description of the dog’s appearance in the prison yard?dog’s appearance in the prison yard?

Symbolism - NoteSymbolism - Note By noting that the dog goes directly to the By noting that the dog goes directly to the

prisoner instead of the officials Orwell uses prisoner instead of the officials Orwell uses symbolismsymbolism to suggest that to suggest that all people are all people are equalequal regardless of their circumstances regardless of their circumstances

The reaction of the prison officials to the The reaction of the prison officials to the appearance of the dog demonstrates their appearance of the dog demonstrates their underlying discomfortunderlying discomfort at having to take a life at having to take a life – “– “Everyone stood aghastEveryone stood aghast…”…”

This This symbolisessymbolises Orwell’s further belief that not Orwell’s further belief that not only is capital punishment wrong it is also only is capital punishment wrong it is also against human nature to kill another against human nature to kill another personperson..

QuestionQuestion

What does Orwell suggest in his What does Orwell suggest in his description of the prisoner avoiding a description of the prisoner avoiding a puddle while being led to the puddle while being led to the gallows?gallows?

Symbolism - NoteSymbolism - Note

Although the prisoner is being led to Although the prisoner is being led to his death he instinctively avoids a his death he instinctively avoids a puddle in order to minimise his puddle in order to minimise his discomfort; a seemingly futile action.discomfort; a seemingly futile action.

Symbolises human survival instinct Symbolises human survival instinct and reiterates Orwell’s belief that and reiterates Orwell’s belief that taking life is against human nature.taking life is against human nature.

QuestionQuestion

One of the predominant tones throughout One of the predominant tones throughout the essay is the essay is irony.irony.

For example, the prisoner dodging the For example, the prisoner dodging the puddle is ironic because he is going to die puddle is ironic because he is going to die anyway.anyway.

Find and quote 3-4 further examples of Find and quote 3-4 further examples of irony in the essay. In each case explain irony in the essay. In each case explain howhow these examples relate to purpose of these examples relate to purpose of the essay.the essay.

(look at paras 12, 14, 17, 18, 23 and 24)(look at paras 12, 14, 17, 18, 23 and 24)

Irony - NoteIrony - Note

““The hangman, a grey haired convictThe hangman, a grey haired convict…” – …” – The authorities task the prisoners with The authorities task the prisoners with killing other prisoners - Passing burden of killing other prisoners - Passing burden of responsibility – taking life unnatural.responsibility – taking life unnatural.

“ “the same thought was in all our minds: the same thought was in all our minds: oh, killoh, kill him quicklyhim quickly…” …”

Orwell appears to Orwell appears to wantwant the killing to the killing to happen even though he is against it. happen even though he is against it. Indicates the discomfort of everyone in the Indicates the discomfort of everyone in the vicinity.vicinity.

Irony (cont.)Irony (cont.)

““He’s all right, said the superintendentHe’s all right, said the superintendent””The prisoner is dead. The prisoner is dead. Callous and Callous and

uncaringuncaring statement – reader feels statement – reader feels sympathy for the prisoner.sympathy for the prisoner.

““it seemed like quite a homely, jolly it seemed like quite a homely, jolly scenescene””

An absurd sentiment indicating the An absurd sentiment indicating the relief relief of the officials now that the execution of the officials now that the execution had been completed.had been completed.

Irony (cont.)Irony (cont.)

““My dear fellow…think of all the pain and My dear fellow…think of all the pain and trouble you are causing ustrouble you are causing us” ”

Another callous statement directed at a Another callous statement directed at a doomed prisoner. The resulting laughter doomed prisoner. The resulting laughter from this anecdote indicates a lack of from this anecdote indicates a lack of compassion.compassion.

The The light-hearted atmosphere,light-hearted atmosphere, after the after the killing, is a killing, is a false emotionfalse emotion and acts as a and acts as a coping mechanismcoping mechanism for the men – for the men – emphasises inhumane practice. emphasises inhumane practice.

QuestionQuestion

In paragraph 10 there is a change in In paragraph 10 there is a change in tone where, for the first time, Orwell tone where, for the first time, Orwell openlyopenly states his opinionstates his opinion on the on the events he witnessed. events he witnessed.

Find one phrase from this paragraph Find one phrase from this paragraph which indicates Orwell’s reflection on which indicates Orwell’s reflection on the events.the events.

Find one phrase which clearly Find one phrase which clearly indicates Orwell’s feelings.indicates Orwell’s feelings.

Tone - NoteTone - Note

““It is curiousIt is curious…” – …” – Reflective toneReflective tone where Orwell goes on to describe his where Orwell goes on to describe his own feelings on the subject.own feelings on the subject.

““The unspeakable wrongnessThe unspeakable wrongness…” – …” – FranknessFrankness of tone leaves the reader of tone leaves the reader in no doubt about his opinion on in no doubt about his opinion on capital punishment. capital punishment.

QuestionQuestion

In paragraphs 1 and 2 there are a In paragraphs 1 and 2 there are a number of examples of figurative number of examples of figurative language (metaphor, simile, language (metaphor, simile, personification etc.)personification etc.)

Quote 2-3 examples and in each case Quote 2-3 examples and in each case explain the comparison being made explain the comparison being made and how this contributes to the and how this contributes to the writer’s purpose.writer’s purpose.

Figurative Language - NoteFigurative Language - Note

“…“…like small animal cageslike small animal cages…”…”Describes prisoners’ living conditions. Describes prisoners’ living conditions.

Evokes reader sympathy.Evokes reader sympathy.

““it was like men handling a fish which it was like men handling a fish which is still aliveis still alive…”…”

Continues comparison between prisoners Continues comparison between prisoners and animals. Highlights the and animals. Highlights the helplessness of the prisoner – helplessness of the prisoner – sympathy.sympathy.

““the Indians had gone grey like bad the Indians had gone grey like bad coffee…”coffee…”

Indicates the Indicates the discomfortdiscomfort felt by the felt by the guards – emphasises guards – emphasises dehumanising dehumanising effecteffect of the execution on the men – of the execution on the men – Orwell suggests that everybody Orwell suggests that everybody involved in the execution is a victim.involved in the execution is a victim.

QuestionQuestion

1.1. What is the purpose of the What is the purpose of the parenthesisparenthesis in paragraph 10? How in paragraph 10? How does this contribute to the writer’s does this contribute to the writer’s purpose?purpose?

Sentence Structure - NoteSentence Structure - Note

The parenthesis contains The parenthesis contains a list of a list of bodilybodily functionsfunctions - “ - “bowels bowels digesting food, skin renewing itself, digesting food, skin renewing itself, nails growing, tissuesnails growing, tissues formingforming” – ” – which remind the reader that the which remind the reader that the prisoner is a prisoner is a healthy human beinghealthy human being who is who is not ready to dienot ready to die..

Sentence Structure (cont.)Sentence Structure (cont.)

The line, “The line, “one mind less, one world one mind less, one world lessless” is an example of a rhetorical ” is an example of a rhetorical device called device called ANAPHORAANAPHORA

This involves the This involves the repetition repetition of one of one or more words at the beginning of or more words at the beginning of two or more balanced clauses.two or more balanced clauses.

Designed to make a point more Designed to make a point more memorablememorable..

OTHER FAMOUS EXAMPLESOTHER FAMOUS EXAMPLES??

““One small step for man, one giant One small step for man, one giant leapleap for mankindfor mankind” ”

By ending the paragraph with this By ending the paragraph with this phrase Orwell emphasises that the phrase Orwell emphasises that the prisoner is a living human being who prisoner is a living human being who is, not yet, ready to die – is, not yet, ready to die – writer’s writer’s purposepurpose. .

Sentence Structure (cont.)Sentence Structure (cont.)

The final two sentences of the essay The final two sentences of the essay are designed for are designed for maximum impact.maximum impact.

““We all had a drink together, native We all had a drink together, native and European alike, quite amicably. and European alike, quite amicably. The dead man was a hundred yards The dead man was a hundred yards awayaway.”.”

The The jovial scenejovial scene of the penultimate of the penultimate (2(2ndnd last) sentence is last) sentence is contrastedcontrasted with the nearby dead man. with the nearby dead man.

The final sentence is a The final sentence is a short short statementstatement which which neatly neatly summarisessummarises Orwell’s message. Orwell’s message.

Upon finishing reading the essay the Upon finishing reading the essay the reader is left to contemplate this reader is left to contemplate this vulgarvulgar scene – scene – IMPACT.IMPACT.