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B L O O M’ S HOW TO WRITE ABOUT George Orwell K iM e. beCnel introduction by Harold bloom H2W Orwell_FNL.indd 1 9/10/10 12:18 PM Bloom’s How to Write about George Orwell Copyright © 2011 by Infobase Publishing Introduction © 2011 by Harold Bloom All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For more information, contact: Bloom’s Literary Criticism An imprint of Infobase Publishing 132 West 31st Street New York NY 10001 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Becnel, Kim. Bloom’s how to write about George Orwell / Kim E. Becnel ; introduction by Harold Bloom. p. cm. — (Bloom’s how to write about literature) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60413-703-3 (hardcover) ISBN 978-1-4381-3426-0 (e-book) 1. Orwell, George, 1903–1950—Criticism and interpretation. 2. Criticism—Authorship. I. Bloom, Harold. II. Title. PR6029.R8Z5875 2010 828’.91209—dc22 2010015752 Bloom’s Literary Criticism books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quantities for businesses, associations, institutions, or sales promotions. Please call our Special Sales Department in New York at (212)967-8800 or (800)322-8755. You can find Bloom’s Literary Criticism on the World Wide Web at http://www.chelseahouse.com Text design by Annie O’Donnell Cover design by Ben Peterson Composition by Mary Susan Ryan-Flynn Cover printed by Art Print, Taylor, PA Book printed and bound by Maple Press, York, PA Date printed: October 2010 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 All links and Web addresses were checked and verified to be correct at the time of publication. Because of the dynamic nature of the Web, some addresses and links may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. Contents Series Introduction Volume Introduction How to Write a Good Essay How to Write about George Orwell v vii 1 49 1984 73 Animal Farm 95 Homage to Catalonia 116 “Shooting an Elephant” and Other Essays 138 Down and Out in Paris and London 162 Keep the Aspidistra Flying 183 The Road to Wigan Pier 206 Index H2W Orwell_FNL.indd 3 228 9/10/10 12:18 PM H2W Orwell_D.indd 4 8/30/10 9:47 AM Series Introduction B loom’s How to Write about Literature series is designed to inspire students to write fine essays on great writers and their works. Each volume in the series begins with an introduction by Harold Bloom, meditating on the challenges and rewards of writing about the volume’s subject author. The first chapter then provides detailed instructions on how to write a good essay, including how to find a thesis; how to develop an outline; how to write a good introduction, body text, and conclusion; how to cite sources; and more. The second chapter provides a brief overview of the issues involved in writing about the subject author and then a number of suggestions for paper topics, with accompanying strategies for addressing each topic. Succeeding chapters cover the author’s major works. The paper topics suggested within this book are open-ended, and the brief strategies provided are designed to give students a push forward in the writing process rather than a road map to success. The aim of the book is to pose questions, not answer them. Many different kinds of papers could result from each topic. As always, the success of each paper will depend completely on the writer’s skill and imagination. v H2W Orwell_D.indd 5 8/30