Orwell wrote this essay as a companion piece to another essay also published in 1946, called "The Prevention of Literature". It sets the stage and provides further context for "Politics and the English Language".
"At present we know only that the imagination, like certain wild animals, will not breed in captivity." ~ Orwell, Prevention of Literature (1946)
I'm gonna share something I probably shouldn't, but I can't stop laughing! Today is my birthday and I was so excited to see your post today... Oh, no... until I started reading! Wow. This is a dense hard read for me. But after two reads, real slow (because lunch was extra long today) I think I get it. You're warning us that what Orwell said back then is the same today: political language that is vague, inflated, and dishonest, is not by accident. It helps politicians hide the truth and avoid responsibility. This is how they manipulate the public. When writers rely on cliches and abstract phrases, they stop thinking clearly. And that fog spreads to everyone who reads or hears them. "Clear language forces clear thought, and clear thought is essential for a healthy democracy." [paraphrasing] So while we can’t fix it all overnight, each one of us can resist by choosing simple, concrete, honest words instead of ready‑made phrases that numb the mind and disguise reality. There's a part where he says something like: How can you fight Fascism if you don't know what Fascism means. And that kind of sums it up. The Trump administration confuses us by using words that mean nothing... going in circles. The irony of course, is that Orwell, also admits in the piece that he's doing the same thing - it's almost unavoidable, especially if we are not aware of it. I think/hope that's the gist. Okay -- eating my chocolate cupcake now. Nice to see you here on a Monday! It really is the little things that make my day! 🤗
Orwell wrote this essay as a companion piece to another essay also published in 1946, called "The Prevention of Literature". It sets the stage and provides further context for "Politics and the English Language".
"At present we know only that the imagination, like certain wild animals, will not breed in captivity." ~ Orwell, Prevention of Literature (1946)
I'm gonna share something I probably shouldn't, but I can't stop laughing! Today is my birthday and I was so excited to see your post today... Oh, no... until I started reading! Wow. This is a dense hard read for me. But after two reads, real slow (because lunch was extra long today) I think I get it. You're warning us that what Orwell said back then is the same today: political language that is vague, inflated, and dishonest, is not by accident. It helps politicians hide the truth and avoid responsibility. This is how they manipulate the public. When writers rely on cliches and abstract phrases, they stop thinking clearly. And that fog spreads to everyone who reads or hears them. "Clear language forces clear thought, and clear thought is essential for a healthy democracy." [paraphrasing] So while we can’t fix it all overnight, each one of us can resist by choosing simple, concrete, honest words instead of ready‑made phrases that numb the mind and disguise reality. There's a part where he says something like: How can you fight Fascism if you don't know what Fascism means. And that kind of sums it up. The Trump administration confuses us by using words that mean nothing... going in circles. The irony of course, is that Orwell, also admits in the piece that he's doing the same thing - it's almost unavoidable, especially if we are not aware of it. I think/hope that's the gist. Okay -- eating my chocolate cupcake now. Nice to see you here on a Monday! It really is the little things that make my day! 🤗
Spot on!
Eddie- I like the idea but too many words. Orwell's fault, not EG