The Post That Was Late.

Person of Interest: George Orwell

So I don't know about many of you but I did in fact have to read Orwell's works in high school and college. And by works I mean his two most famous titles, Animal Farm and 1984. I will admit to you here and now for all the world to see I did not enjoy Animal Farm, however, I loved 1984. I think the concept and idea of that kind of world and the possibilities is fascinating.

More often than not in order to understand an author's writings you have to understand their life itself.

George Orwell was actually born Eric Arthur Blair, in Bengal, India in 1903. He attended the prestigious college of Eton (which is the equivalent of high school if you are American and have never watched skins) and did not continue on to university. Instead he joined the Indian Imperial Police and went on to fight in the Spanish Civil War until he took a bullet to his neck ending his soldiering career. During World War 2 he worked as a corespondent and editor for the BBC, the Observer, and the Tribune. Beginning his writing career. All through out his life career Orwell, wrote more than 350 articles, 17 well received poems, scripts, a play and 29 collections of short stories. In addition to his two most popular novels Orwell wrote four other novels. Of course he didn't get to bask in the fame of his two most popular novels long. A year after 1984 was published he died of tuberculosis.

This man known for very little, has created so much and experienced so much. My favorite essay written by Orwell is one I relate to. Yes relate to, not understand or enjoy but I legitimately relate to an article written 60 odd years ago in a time period I can not begin to understand what was like. I'm a twenty-two year old female who has never left home. I haven't experienced a tenth of what this man has and the fact I can read one of his essays and understand it completely. This is one of the most powerful aspects of writing.

You can find that article here.

So I am going to end today's short post with a fun fact: Eric Arthur Blair chose the name George for the patron saint of England and the last name Orwell from the River Orwell in Suffolk, one of his most beloved sites. He chose a pen name that stressed his affection for the English tradition and countryside.