Critical Analysis of George Orwell's the Lion and the Unicorn
George Orwell, the author of ' 'The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius," wrote this essay during the British leadership crisis in the beginnings of World War II. Wanting to unify the English, he reminds them of their past and how it makes them stand out as a nation. While writing to the elite intellectuals, he also worked to unify the middle and working classes. He writes to the English people to relate to them through maintaining their tradition, culture, and faith in the government by using culture and customs that both are familiar to and will unite the country. In this way, he reminds the people that although they may be different they all live in the same country. Though Orwell strongly was against some of the things his country did, he believed he always had a duty to her. Many people thought he was anti-war and military, but, in fact, he said he would always fight for his country no matter what the battle. He even tried reenlisting on September 9th, 1939 (Rossi, p128).
To fully understand the content, knowledge of Orwell 's personal history, Britain 's history, customs and culture are necessities. At this time, Britain was about to go into war. Germany and Italy had led their countries by dictators and totalitarianism. Orwell hated totalitarianism because it supported the intellectuals and upper class. He also did not see much of a difference between fascism and capitalism. He believed that both gave too much power to too few and that would corrupt the English. Orwell 's goal was not only to educate and bring together Britain 's people, but almost threaten the intellectuals. He tries to show England that they are unique in comparison to other countries because they do not need communism, capitalism, or fascism. About England he says, "the beer is bitterer, the coins are heavier, the grass is greener… mild knobby faces, their bad teeth, and gentle manners, are different from a European crowd (Orwell p57)." In this quotation, Orwell
To fully understand the content, knowledge of Orwell 's personal history, Britain 's history, customs and culture are necessities. At this time, Britain was about to go into war. Germany and Italy had led their countries by dictators and totalitarianism. Orwell hated totalitarianism because it supported the intellectuals and upper class. He also did not see much of a difference between fascism and capitalism. He believed that both gave too much power to too few and that would corrupt the English. Orwell 's goal was not only to educate and bring together Britain 's people, but almost threaten the intellectuals. He tries to show England that they are unique in comparison to other countries because they do not need communism, capitalism, or fascism. About England he says, "the beer is bitterer, the coins are heavier, the grass is greener… mild knobby faces, their bad teeth, and gentle manners, are different from a European crowd (Orwell p57)." In this quotation, Orwell
Bibliography: Orwell, George. "The Lion and the Unicorn; Socialism and the English Genius ' ' London 1941Partington, S. John. ' 'The Pen as Sword: George Orwell, H.G. Wells and Journalistic Parricide Journal of Contemporary ' ' January 01, 2004, Vol. 39 Number 1 p45-56, 12pRossi, John P. "George Orwell 's Concept of Patriotism." Spring 2001, Vol. 43 Issue 2, p128, 5pVaninskaya, Anna. "The bugle of justice: the romantic socialism of William Morris and George Orwell." Contemporary Justice Review, March 2005, Vol. 8 Number 1 p7-23, 17p