George Orwell

1. Which personal events seem to have affected Orwell most? Explain your reasons.

-Personal events which seem to have affected Orwell the most were living several years in
poverty, being homeless at times,and doing itinerant work.
I believe these events affected Orwell the most because, throughout his writings he
elaborates on the positive and negative things which have happened in his life.

2. What three wars had a powerful influence over Orwell? In which war did he actually fight?

-The wars which had a powerful influence over Orwell were the Spanish Civil War, WWI, and
WWII. Orwell fought in the Spanish Civil War.


3. Which fascist dictators rose to power during Orwell's lifetime?

-Hitler, Stalling


4. Which novel by Orwell is a direct satire about Stalin and his political practices?

-Animal Farm


5. Which "totalitarian" event occurred in the United States during World War II?

-Japanese internment camps


6. Which book gives evidence that Orwell's experiences at boarding school developed in him a
sympathy for the poor and a lasting dislike for social status and power based on wealth?

-"Such, such to the joys"


7. Into what social class was Orwell born? Was Orwell ever truly poor?

-Orwell classifies into being in the middle class. Orwell was never truly poor.


8. Looking at the themes and topics of Orwell's novels, is Hopkinson's statement above valid?
Why or why not?

-Yes Hopkinson's statement is valid, because he used his own personal experiences
throughout his works.


9. Which world event do you think had the most profound influence on Orwell as he wrote 1984?
Why do you think this?

- Russian Revolution had the most profound influence on Orwell as he wrote 1984, because it
was a visionary result of totalitarianism.


10. Was Orwell ever married? Did he have any children?

- Yes, Orwell was married to Eileeen O'Shaughnessy. Orwell never had any children of his
own. He also married Sonia Brownell after the death of his first wife.


11. Why didn't Orwell fight against the Nazis in World War II?

-Orwell didn't fight against the Nazis in WWII, because the Nazis would have dominated
Eastern Europe.


12. What did Orwell decide to do after he graduated from a prestigious preparatory (high)
school? Why do you think he disliked this job?

-Orwell worked for the imperial for the Indian Imperial Police in Burma. He disliked this job,
due to his resentment to the oppression of imperialism.


13. Was Orwell's first book based on his own experiences? Explain.

-Yes, Orwell's first book was based on his own experiences, because he writes about doing
itinerant work.


14. In what book did Orwell express a concern for the poor working class in England?

-"The Road to Wigan Pier"