George Orwell, particularly known as a novelist was an avid follower of politics who voiced his intense dislike against totalitarianism through his most famed works Animal farm (1945) and 1984 (1949). These two novels are the main contributions to Orwell’s esteemed reputation as an exceptional writer. However, during the course of his career, Orwell was recognized for his remarkable journalism and essays that seem to be written for modern times years ago. The famously brilliant six rules for writers by George Orwell are used even today as a basic key to better writing by writers all over the world.
Born on June 25, 1903, Eric Arthur Blair who later decided on George Orwell as his pen name was the second child of British parents Richard Walmesly Blair and Ida Mabel Limonzin who then resided in Indian Bengal where Richard was an employee of the British Civil Services. Blair was an outstanding student. He attended reputable educational institutions such as the St Cyprian’s School, Wellington College and Eton College on scholarships. When Blair did not obtain a scholarship to continue studies at a university, he joined the Indian Imperial Army in Burma but resigned a few years later with immense hatred for imperialism. His experiences in Burma were translated into writing in his first novel, Burmese Days (1934) and essays such as A Hanging and Shooting an Elephant. Similarly Down and Out in Paris and London (1933) was an account of his life in poverty after leaving Burma.
Later Orwell volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War for the Republicans where he was shot in the neck and had to flee for his life. During the World War II till 1940 Orwell wrote book reviews in the New English Weekly for a living. He also worked for the BBC Eastern Service. Orwell married Eileen O’Shaughnessy sometime during 1936 and 1945. They adopted a son, Richard Horatio Blair. When Eileen died in 1949, Orwell married Sonia Brownell.
During the 1930s Orwell published novels included A Clergyman’s Daughter (1935), Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1936), and Coming Up for Air (1939) along with two insightful documentaries The Road to Wigan Pier (1937) which is about the lives of poor miners in Lancashire, Wigan and Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences during The Spanish Civil War.
Although Orwell is acknowledged mainly for his novels by the present-day reader, his essays and journalistic work is evidence of his deep interest and understanding of the politics of his era. Strongly opinionated and impartial to his subject, Orwell wrote his mind in a way that still seems contemporary. The writing of George Orwell does not seek to entertain the reader on purpose; instead he captures the attention of his audience by the friendly and welcoming fashion of his words. Orwell stressed on simplicity, creativity and innovation in writing. His uniqueness is his lucid style. Going in and out of hospitals for 3 years, Tuberculosis became the reason of Orwell’s demise on January 21, 1950.