GEORGE ORWELL & THE WRITING OF 1984

a brief look at how politics and culture shaped creation of the famous novel

bio

Born Eric Blair in Bengal, 1903 British colony at the

time of his childhood Joined Imperial Indian

Police of Burma due to lack of funds for university education First up close

experience with imperialism “Shooting an Elephant” & Burmese Days

Pen name adopted in 1933, demonstrating deep connection to English culture and countryside

bio

1936: Orwell joins a sister army for the Republican Popular front during the Spanish Civil War Prompts the writing of “Homage to Catalonia,”

further reflecting Orwell’s opinions of social class & nationalism

Living and observing a “fear state,” experiences with secret police

Constant connection with war, fascist regimes, and totalitarian government led to the writing of Animal Farm and 1984

historical context of 1984 Published in London on 8 June

1949 General foundation of the novel

conceived in early to mid 1940s wake of WWI, WWII, the

Holocaust, and the onset of the Cold War propaganda, paranoia

Notes on Nationalism (1945), Politics and the English Language (1946) Published in a post WWII society emphasizing

dangers of offensive nationalism (BIG BROTHER), vague and easily manipulated language (propaganda Ministry of Truth)

impetus for 1984 & cultural references

sources

"Biography of George Orwell." George Orwell Biography. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. <http://www.george-orwell.org/l_biography.html>.

DANGERS OF TOTALITARIANISM

PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION

USE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR CONTROL

LANGUAGE AS A MEANS OF CONTROL

CHANGES IN HISTORY