Posted by Mike on June 06, 2002 at 18:46:06:
In Reply to: What were the major issues/concerns during Orwell's lifetime? posted by Salvador on June 06, 2002 at 18:01:43:
I guess this is an essay question? You probably need to have a look at the historical events between the 1930's and 1940's:
* Rise of fascism (Hitler, Mussolini).
* Impact of communism and the "betrayal" of the Russian revaluation by Stalin.
* Spanish Civil War (a war fought by proxy between fascism and Communism/Stalinism)
* The Great Depression and the Second World War.
* Disillusionment with democracy (many people looked to right and left wing movements to save society, thinking democracy to unstable and weak).
* How effective mass propaganda could twist reality (used by both fascist and communist alike).
Orwell wasn't the cause of any of these, but was a very perceptive observer. He won't to Spain to fight fascism on the communist side, but found them to be as equally dangerous. Nor could Orwell "resolve" these problems - he tried to warn people of the dangers in his political writings. You can see all these concerns reflected in both 1984 and Animal Farm.
Read the Orwell biography on this site, it will give you good insight into his life and the world events that shaped them.
Cheers - Mike