Why Orwell Matters
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Christopher Hitchens |
| Products | Biographical essay |
Why Orwell Matters, published in the UK under the title Orwell's Victory, is a biographical essay authored by Christopher Hitchens that explores George Orwell's perspectives on issues including the British Empire, political ideologies on the Left and Right, the United States, English social norms, feminism, and his contentious British Foreign Office blacklist.
The British Empire
While working for the BBC's radio program 'Voice' aimed at audiences in India, Orwell openly voiced his steadfast opposition to imperialism. He condemned the British government's inconsistent policies regarding Indian autonomy and was a consistent advocate for India's independence. Orwell's tenure at the BBC influenced concepts later developed in Nineteen Eighty-Four, such as doublethink, which illustrates rapid and contradictory shifts in political messaging. His commentary on colonialism reveals a persistent engagement with themes of authority and subjugation, providing valuable understanding of Britain's transformation from an imperial power to a diverse society—an enduring aspect of Orwell’s relevance highlighted by Hitchens.
The Left
Orwell contributed extensively to socialist publications in England, championing democratic principles, decolonization efforts, and social equality while denouncing authoritarian regimes. His direct encounters with Stalinist oppression during the Spanish Civil War profoundly affected his outlook. After sustaining injuries in Spain, he returned to England and narrowly escaped imprisonment due to his affiliation with the POUM militia and suspicions of Trotskyist sympathies. Orwell actively brought attention to the plight of those persecuted by Stalinist governments and supported their families. These experiences informed key themes within Nineteen Eighty-Four. Unlike many contemporaneous socialists who idealized the Soviet Union, Orwell rejected it as a form of state-controlled capitalism rather than genuine socialism. His outspoken criticism estranged him from some left-wing circles both during his lifetime and posthumously, particularly among the New Left movements of the 1960s and 1970s who resented his candid societal assessments. As Orwell observed, numerous leftists desired to oppose totalitarianism without challenging communism itself.
The Right
Throughout adulthood, Orwell distanced himself from his Conservative Party upbringing, though he retained certain views commonly associated with right-wing ideology such as individualism, patriotism, a clear moral compass regarding right and wrong, and skepticism toward bureaucracy and government overreach. He placed great importance on liberty and equality, advocating for "a society of free and equal human beings," a vision often at odds with Britain's prevailing laissez-faire ethos. In Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell underscores the contradiction that sacrificing freedom for security is detrimental. Despite accusations of criticizing the Labour Party Government, he affirmed his support for Labour; his novel primarily revealed systemic corruption within centralized economies exemplified by communism and fascism. By situating the narrative in Britain, Orwell emphasized that totalitarian regimes could emerge anywhere if unchecked.
In 1945, Orwell rejected involvement with the right-wing, anti-communist League for European Freedom because their positions on democracy and British rule in India conflicted with his beliefs. He declared, "I belong to the Left and must work inside it, as much as I hate totalitarianism and its poisonous influence." While Orwell held some conservative tendencies—such as traditional views on morality and sexuality, opposition to abortion and homosexuality, along with occasional anti-Semitic remarks—critics acknowledge he spent much of his life striving to overcome these prejudices, often hindered by bouts of illness or depression. As Hitchens remarks, "Orwell was conservative about many things, but not about politics."
America
Orwell never traveled to the United States, showing minimal interest and a skeptical stance toward its consumer-driven and material-focused society. He criticized America's imperialistic pursuits and what he saw as crudeness, yet he held American literature in high regard and acknowledged the ongoing, albeit incomplete, quest for freedom, which he discussed on the BBC. As he neared death from tuberculosis, Orwell grew to appreciate North America's vast landscapes and ethos of individualism, particularly admiring the writings of Jack London. Friends encouraged him to visit, highlighting the country's favorable climates for his health and the availability of streptomycin. Although he briefly contemplated spending time writing in the southern U.S., his declining health ultimately prevented such travel.
According to Hitchens, had Orwell lived an additional ten years, he probably would have made a trip to America, influenced by acquaintances in New York. Orwell recognized the importance of figures like Thomas Paine and foundational documents such as the U.S. Constitution, referencing American history and ideals accurately but sparingly. Hitchens concludes that America represented a significant missed opportunity for Orwell.
Feminism and women
In his chapter "Orwell and the Feminists: Difficulties with Girls," Hitchens explores debates surrounding Orwell’s purported fear or dislike of women. He points out that Orwell primarily wrote for a male readership, often portraying female characters with limited intellectual complexity. Nevertheless, Orwell maintained meaningful relationships with intelligent women, including his first wife, Eileen O'Shaugnessy, who contributed valuable feedback during the development of Animal Farm. Hitchens notes that while Orwell was drawn to femininity, he remained cautious of dominant or masculine women as well as effeminate men.
Hitchens conclusion on Why Orwell Matters
Hitchens asserts that Orwell’s relevance endures because he tackled themes such as mechanization, authoritarianism, warfare, and psychiatry. Despite his declining health due to tuberculosis, Orwell’s prose remains clear, compelling, and vibrant. Hitchens highlights Orwell’s core message: power exists only to the extent it is permitted by individuals, emphasizing personal accountability over blaming external forces. This lasting resonance ensures Orwell will continue to be both celebrated and critiqued—a duality he likely anticipated.
At the conclusion of the book, Hitchens offers a critique of Orwell’s novels and legacy. An additional essay titled "Why Orwell Still Matters" appears in John Rodden's 2007 volume The Cambridge Companion to George Orwell.
Orwell's life as a writer
Orwell grew up in a conservative upper-class family that was unsympathetic toward the poor. His father was engaged in the Indian opium trade. Serving as an Indian Imperial Police officer in Burma provided material for his debut novel, Burmese Days, which features a policeman living with his mistress and servant. Hitchens suggests that Orwell resigned from this role out of concern he might develop racist or sadistic tendencies—a self-awareness that profoundly influenced his later work. He anticipated elements of postcolonial critique by recognizing early on how some exercise authority through punishment.
Prior to the political upheavals of the 1930s, Orwell immersed himself in impoverished settings to gain firsthand insight into harsh social realities. His participation in the Spanish Civil War further solidified his socialist beliefs. He remained steadfast in these convictions even when they challenged or altered his perspectives. Although he strove to overcome prejudices such as anti-Americanism, homophobia, misogyny, and antisemitism, he was unable to fully eradicate them.
Unlike many journalists of his era who were often swayed by power or influence, Orwell resisted compromising his principles for financial gain or popularity. His writings were neither commercially successful nor widely praised during his lifetime; he doubted their impact and composed Nineteen Eighty-Four while gravely ill. The recognition he enjoys today would likely have astonished him.
Reception and criticism
Publishers Weekly commended Hitchens for his extensive expertise on Orwell, suggesting that longtime admirers will value his erudite defense, while new readers may find motivation to delve into Orwell’s writings. George Packer of The Independent provided a somewhat critical perspective, labeling the book as lacking focus and somewhat challenging to engage with, despite recognizing Hitchens’s empathetic interpretation. Packer pointed out that the numerous digressions and interruptions detracted from more profound analysis.
Alex Lee from the Yale Review of Books concluded that Hitchens convincingly illustrated Orwell’s ongoing significance, encouraging readers to revisit Orwell’s original texts to fully appreciate his lasting insights. John Rossi, a history professor at La Salle University, praised the book as one of the finest recent explorations of Orwell, emphasizing its effectiveness both as an introductory overview and a succinct critique that solidifies Hitchens’s authority.