Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in a literature class.
Professor: Okay, many of you might already be familiar with the work of Eric Arthur Blair. No? I forgot to mention that he wrote under the name of George Orwell. That seems to ring more bells… Most people remember him for his later works, such as 1984. Tonight you’ll read one of his earlier essays, “How the Poor Die.” This work, along with his book, Down and Out in London and Paris, highlight themes that concerned him as a young man…thus, I thought that if we discussed those issues today, it might enrich your experience—as certainly, his concerns are relevant in today’s world.
So…Orwell came from a family you might call gentry, or part of the privileged class, but not particularly wealthy. You know, if you’ve read any Dickens, David Copperfield or something, you know um…archetype. He finished university after the First World War and then, largely out of financial necessity, served as a government official in Myanmar, which was called Burma then. In fact, his first writing was about Asia and is far more, ah, empathetic…to the indigenous culture than you’d expect from an Englishman of his times. Check out his book Burmese Days, for example.
Anyway…after five years, Orwell returned to England and began writing. Although this was before the Great Depression, there was a great deal of hardship, unemployment, and homelessness. As you’ll see in tonight’s reading, this is the subject Orwell embraced. He really threw himself into this work documenting the suffering and degradations of poverty. You probably don’t know that he researched his articles and books by going forth as a homeless beggar and a tramp himself…for weeks at a time. In 1928, while living in a working class neighborhood in Paris—working as a dishwasher for part of that time—Orwell became very sick and was bedridden in a public hospital. That experience in the common ward led to “How the Poor Die.”
So what was Orwell’s point? As you read it, you’ll note that Orwell’s concern goes beyond the horrific conditions. Indeed, his primary complaint is the dehumanization that the poor endure. Describing and decrying such treatment—and the smug moral superiority with which society dispensed it—is the constant theme of his work at this time. Yes, as you might have guessed, Orwell considered himself a man of the left—a socialist, in fact. He even attended Communist Party meetings. This may affront some of you. But it is best to note that Orwell was really a humanist. That is, his political stance stemmed far more from an advocacy of human decency and individual freedom than a, um…any loyalty to Marxist tenets. His enemies were callousness and hypocrisy rather than democracy or capitalism per se.
I would argue that Orwell’s humanity in this sense should earn your respect, regardless of your political leanings. For his allegiance to that banner never wavered. How many people do you know who live by their principles? Please keep that in mind as you read tonight’s assignment. And I say this based on his actions and work in the remainder of his life.
You see, in 1936, a civil war broke out in Spain between the duly elected Democratic Socialist government and the essentially fascist force led by General Franco. Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy aided the fascists. On the other hand, progressive young men from across Europe and even America flocked to Spain to fight for the Loyalists. Many of them joined the communist-organized International Brigades. Orwell planned to do so as well. However, for several reasons, he ended up joining a more anarchist-centered militia. So…consequently, he was in Barcelona when the majority communists launched a bloody purge against Orwell’s cadre on false charges of disloyalty. Orwell saw it for the naked power play that it was. And that the communists were undermining the common goal of defeating the fascists in favor of exterminating those that had strayed from Stalinist ideology. And, once again, he was repulsed by both the hypocrisy and the vicious tyranny of the Stalinists.
Not too long thereafter, Orwell was wounded in combat and went back to England. He then wrote Homage to Catalonia, which detailed the treachery of the orthodox Communist Party. This won Orwell many enemies. Remember, this was 1938, and many viewed the Communist Party as the noble defender of the common man against the established elite, who seemingly were not suffering from the Great Depression as the masses were. Orwell stood firmly on the side of humanism. He severed his connections with leftist organizations. From this point on, his works attacked Stalinism as the greatest threat to freedom. And thus came about the works of his that you may have already read, such as 1984 and Animal Farm.
What is the main purpose of this lecture? |
Gist-content. The lecture discusses the primary concerns of Orwell’s earlier works and his convictions. |
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| ✗ | A To illustrate the constancy of Orwell’s political affiliations throughout his life and career |
The professor notes that Orwell remained true to his convictions. However, the last part of the lecture discusses a change in his political affiliations—specifically, his repudiation of the Communist Party. |
| ✓ | B To provide background information to help students evaluate an essay by Orwell |
Correct. The first part of the lecture states that this is the professor’s goal. |
| ✗ | C To describe Orwell’s position on health care |
“How the Poor Die” is described as an example of Orwell’s concern for the mistreatment of the poor in general, not specifically about health concerns. |
| ✗ | D To show how Orwell was fooled by Marxism |
The professor mentions that Orwell became disillusioned with Stalinism but does not indicate that Orwell was fooled in any way. |
What is Orwell’s primary criticism of society in the assigned essay, “How the Poor Die”? |
Detail. The professor says that the dehumanization of the poor was Orwell’s main point. |
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| ✗ | A That capitalism is a callous and hypocritical system |
The professor notes that Orwell was not an enemy of democracy or capitalism per se. |
| ✗ | B That the British government treated indigenous populations badly |
The professor says that Orwell was more sympathetic than many. But this point is not related to the essay in question. |
| ✗ | C That dishwashing is an unhealthy occupation |
“How the Poor Die” is described as an example of Orwell’s concern for the mistreatment of the poor in general, rather than an essay about the treatment he received specifically. |
| ✓ | D That the poor are treated with inhuman callousness |
Correct. In the middle of the lecture, the professor says that the dehumanization of the poor was Orwell’s main point in this essay. |
How did Orwell feel about Burma? |
Detail. The professor discusses Orwell’s feelings about Burma early in the lecture. |
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| ✗ | A He supported its colonial status. |
The professor notes only that Orwell went there out of financial necessity. |
| ✗ | B He championed its quest for independence. |
This idea is not mentioned in the lecture. |
| ✓ | C He was unexpectedly sympathetic to the native population there. |
Correct. Early in the lecture, the professor says that “his first writing was about Asia and is far more, ah…empathetic to the indigenous culture than you’d expect from an Englishman of his times.” |
| ✗ | D He did not find it of professional interest. |
The professor mentions that Orwell wrote a book about it, Burmese Days, which indicates interest. |
What point does the professor make when he mentions that Orwell presented himself as a beggar and a tramp? |
Function of What Is Said. The professor mentions this point as evidence of Orwell’s dedication to his research and his interest in humanism. |
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| ✗ | A The point is evidence of Orwell’s communist sympathies. |
This information comes before any discussion of Orwell’s dressing up as a beggar or tramp. |
| ✗ | B The point is evidence of Orwell’s impoverished upbringing. |
This period occurred during his adulthood and was a professional activity. Besides, the professor notes that Orwell was born into a reasonably wealthy family. |
| ✓ | C The point is evidence of Orwell’s dedication to his research. |
Correct. The professor states that “… this is the subject Orwell embraced. He really threw himself into this work documenting the suffering and degradations of poverty. You probably don’t know that he researched his articles and books by going forth as a homeless beggar and a tramp himself.” |
| ✗ | D The point is given as the cause of Orwell’s poor health. |
The professor only states that he became ill in Paris, and does not imply that going forth as a beggar and a tramp, in and of itself, had anything to do with his becoming ill. |
What does the professor imply about himself when he says that Orwell’s humanity deserves respect? Choose 2 answers. |
Speaker’s Attitude. The professor makes this statement in the middle of the lecture. Shortly thereafter he asks, “How many people do you know who live by their principles?” |
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| ✗ | a He holds communist sympathies. |
The professor believes that respect for Orwell should be given regardless of any political affiliations. |
| ✓ | b He respects commitment to principles. |
Correct. The professor makes it clear that he respects people who live by their principles. |
| ✗ | c He believes humanity is the most important character trait. |
The professor does not indicate that he believes humanity to be the most important character trait. He merely states that it merits respect. |
| ✓ | d He believes that humanity is a worthy principle. |
Correct. This is a trait that the professor cites as worthy of respect. |
Narrator: Listen again to part of the lecture. Then answer the question.
Professor: He then wrote Homage to Catalonia, which detailed the treachery of the orthodox Communist Party. This won Orwell many enemies. Remember, this was 1938, and many viewed the Communist Party as the noble defender of the common man against the established elite, who seemingly were not suffering from the Great Depression as the masses were.
Narrator: Why does the professor say this?
Professor: Remember, this was 1938…
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Inference. In this quote, the professor gives a caveat, or caution, about what time period he is referring to. He gives this caveat in order to clarify that the Communist Party was looked at differently at that time than it may be viewed by his students today. |
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| ✗ | A To highlight the primitive nature of the war in Spain |
The level of sophistication of the war in Spain is not discussed in the lecture. |
| ✗ | B To explain why Homage to Catalonia is not better known today |
The fame of the book is not discussed. |
| ✗ | C To excuse Stalinist excesses occurring during the period in question |
Neither the professor nor Orwell excuses Stalin. |
| ✓ | D To indicate that the Communist Party may have been viewed differently at that time |
Correct. Immediately thereafter, the professor says that the Party was viewed as “defender of the common man against the established elite,” implying that at that time, the Party may have had a different reputation from the one the professor’s students might imagine. |