I have been reading George Orwell:Essays and thought it would be interesting to see dopers discussing him and his views/theories. Also, it was the aniversary of his death just a few days ago, so it seems a sensible time to bring him up (not literally!)
I won’t be specific, just want to see a general debate about George and his writings.
George Bushes senior and junior call each other 41 and 43 for the number of their presidencies. 41 + 43 = 84
George Orwell’s 1984
HA!
Roman culture is all alike. Be it Communist or Capitalist. Czar comes from caesar, football players are gladiators in the collosium.
Dal Timgar
QUOTE=Lobsang]I have been reading George Orwell:Essays and thought it would be interesting to see dopers discussing him and his views/theories. Also, it was the aniversary of his death just a few days ago, so it seems a sensible time to bring him up (not literally!)
I won’t be specific, just want to see a general debate about George and his writings.
[/QUOTE]
If I new much about Orwell’s writings on Britain and WW2, perhaps I could be a tad more helpful.
Animal Farm was spot on, however.
If there’s any way in which Orwell was significantly right (in the context of 1984, that is), then it isn’t surveillance cameras and oppression, it is political spin - the crushing regime and all that was just a backdrop to the key point that he who controls language controls thought.
You’re probably gonna have to be. He had lots of ideas. Pick one or two.
OK then I will. One of the few passages I’ve read is ‘The Lion and the Unicorn’ in which he talks about England, it’s chances of winning the war, how to win the war (via a socialist revolution), the damaging views of the left wing intelectuals about the war, capitalist inadequacy to win the war (profit more important than efficiency)
Heck, if you have a view then you’ve read the passage, and if you’ve read the passage then I don’t need to summarize it.
P.S. What happened to the dope smileys? and why isn’t my delete key working?
Bump.
His statement that that “only socialist countries can fight effectively” was clearly wrong. I still think its a good essay though, and contains some important insights. Orwell was very perceptive, and on occasion was able to make shrewd predictions. I don’t think he was all that scientific though, he was at heart a political activist, and didn’t feel the need to quantify his theories.