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> extreme personal poverty Always by choice. He did live in poverty but his family was always there if he decided to call on them and his education and class p

> extreme personal poverty Always by choice. He did live in poverty but his family was always there if he decided to call on them and his education and class position meant that there were crappy jobs available for the asking, like being a tutor.

hutzlibu 5y ago
"> extreme personal poverty Always by choice. " Allmost no one chooses extreme personal poverty. But some like Orwell, choose their own (idealistic) way, over giving in to the other way, even if it means poverty. I would argue, he would/could not have written 1984 or animal farm, if he would have choosen the shallow, but comfortable life, that his class would have allowed for.
- nindalf 5y ago
  You’re mistaken. Orwells choice to live as a homeless person was entirely about collecting material. He eventually wrote the book Down and Out in Paris and London based on his experiences. I respect the man, I respect his work, I even respect that he did the research first hand instead of relying on second hand accounts. But at any point he wanted he could go to his home or to his friends and family, get a hot meal and a bath. That was not an option for actual homeless people. When he was down and out in Paris, he could rely on his aunt for financial support. When he was down and out in London he could write to his parents for money. Which he actually did. And they sent him money. > Allmost no one chooses extreme personal poverty. So let’s be clear - he experienced poverty only so he could write a book, not because he was truly destitute. Almost no one chooses that, but he did.
  - hutzlibu 5y ago
    Allright, if so I am misstaken. I guess I have to read a bit further on his personal life.
dghf 5y ago
From chapter 25 of Down and Out in Paris London: As soon as we were inside the spike [homeless shelter] and had been lined up for the search, the Tramp Major called my name. He was a stiff, soldierly man of forty, not looking the bully he had been represented, but with an old soldier's gruffness. He said sharply: 'Which of you is Blank?' (I forget what name I had given.) 'Me, sir.' 'So you are a journalist?' 'Yes, sir,' I said, quaking. A few questions would betray the fact that I had been lying, which might mean prison. But the Tramp Major only looked me up and down and said: 'Then you are a gentleman?' 'I suppose so.' He gave me another long look. 'Well, that's bloody bad luck, guv'nor,' he said; 'bloody bad luck that is.' And thereafter he treated me with unfair favouritism, and even with a kind of deference. He did not search me, and in the bathroom he actually gave me a clean towel to myself -- an unheard-of luxury. So powerful is the word 'gentleman' in an old soldier's ear.

hutzlibu 5y ago

"> extreme personal poverty Always by choice. " Allmost no one chooses extreme personal poverty. But some like Orwell, choose their own (idealistic) way, over giving in to the other way, even if it means poverty. I would argue, he would/could not have written 1984 or animal farm, if he would have choosen the shallow, but comfortable life, that his class would have allowed for.

nindalf 5y ago
You’re mistaken. Orwells choice to live as a homeless person was entirely about collecting material. He eventually wrote the book Down and Out in Paris and London based on his experiences. I respect the man, I respect his work, I even respect that he did the research first hand instead of relying on second hand accounts. But at any point he wanted he could go to his home or to his friends and family, get a hot meal and a bath. That was not an option for actual homeless people. When he was down and out in Paris, he could rely on his aunt for financial support. When he was down and out in London he could write to his parents for money. Which he actually did. And they sent him money. > Allmost no one chooses extreme personal poverty. So let’s be clear - he experienced poverty only so he could write a book, not because he was truly destitute. Almost no one chooses that, but he did.
- hutzlibu 5y ago
  Allright, if so I am misstaken. I guess I have to read a bit further on his personal life.

dghf 5y ago

From chapter 25 of Down and Out in Paris London: As soon as we were inside the spike [homeless shelter] and had been lined up for the search, the Tramp Major called my name. He was a stiff, soldierly man of forty, not looking the bully he had been represented, but with an old soldier's gruffness. He said sharply: 'Which of you is Blank?' (I forget what name I had given.) 'Me, sir.' 'So you are a journalist?' 'Yes, sir,' I said, quaking. A few questions would betray the fact that I had been lying, which might mean prison. But the Tramp Major only looked me up and down and said: 'Then you are a gentleman?' 'I suppose so.' He gave me another long look. 'Well, that's bloody bad luck, guv'nor,' he said; 'bloody bad luck that is.' And thereafter he treated me with unfair favouritism, and even with a kind of deference. He did not search me, and in the bathroom he actually gave me a clean towel to myself -- an unheard-of luxury. So powerful is the word 'gentleman' in an old soldier's ear.