George Orwell: Life and Works

Flashcards covering key aspects of George Orwell's life, works, and central themes.

Who was George Orwell born as?

Eric Blair

What prestigious school did George Orwell attend?

Eton

What job did George Orwell initially take after Eton?

Policeman in the British Colony of Burma

What is one of George Orwell's key works about his experiences in Burma?

Burmese Days

What major theme does 'Shooting an Elephant' explore?

The contradictions of imperialism and the role of a colonial authority.

What book marked George Orwell's first major success?

Down and Out in Paris and London

Which political ideology did Orwell begin to align with during his life?

Socialism

What is the primary focus of 'The Road to Wigan Pier'?

It documents the lives of the poor and unemployed in industrial England during the Great Depression.

What was unique about 'Animal Farm' in terms of its narrative style?

It is a farmyard fable that serves as a political allegory.

What dystopian theme is central to Orwell's '1984'?

Totalitarianism and the extreme manipulation of truth and language.

What health issue did George Orwell struggle with later in life?

Tuberculosis

Which event significantly influenced Orwell's perspectives on totalitarianism?

His experience in the Spanish Civil War.

What did Orwell mean by the term 'Doublethink'?

The ability to hold two contradictory beliefs simultaneously.

What phrase from '1984' has become synonymous with governmental surveillance?

Big Brother is watching you.

What is a central warning of Orwell's work, particularly in '1984'?

The dangers of losing control over language and truth.