Discussion Questions
1. What is the main purpose of writing this essay? What is the historical impetus? What according to Orwell does "bad usage" lead to?
a) According to Orwell, in what way has the English language
'degenerated' and what are its cause? What is "the great enemy of clear
language"? How does "bad usage" spread?
b) If the language has "degenerated", does Orwell provide some
defenses? What are they?
c) What is the trend of modern prose? Is this a problem? How?
d) What is Orwell's theory of language? When is language abused and
what is proper "use"? Why is this important?
e) Did Orwell write this essay with the intent to play 'the arbiter of proper
English"? (Provide textual evidence.)
2. According to Orwell, how are images used in writing? (Also notice how does Orwell use images in this essay.)
3. Orwell offers a "modern translation" of Ecclesiastes in this essay. What is wrong with the modern translation? Provide ample examples.
4. Why is Orwell particularly interested in prose style? What might it mean to him?
5. What are the four main criticisms Orwell develops against modern writing? Provide an explanation and discuss the importance of each. How is each related to his professed aim in this essay?
6. How is this essay related to his final novel 1984?
7. At the end of the day, what seems to be the most important thing to Orwell? How do you know? (Provide ample textual evidence.)
8. What is problematic about the use of the word 'democracy' during Orwell's time? Elucidate. Is it still a problem?
9. Do some of the points an criticism made by Orwell overlap with what we have gone over in class? Explain.
1. What is the main purpose of writing this essay? What is the historical impetus? What according to Orwell does "bad usage" lead to?
a) According to Orwell, in what way has the English language
'degenerated' and what are its cause? What is "the great enemy of clear
language"? How does "bad usage" spread?
b) If the language has "degenerated", does Orwell provide some
defenses? What are they?
c) What is the trend of modern prose? Is this a problem? How?
d) What is Orwell's theory of language? When is language abused and
what is proper "use"? Why is this important?
e) Did Orwell write this essay with the intent to play 'the arbiter of proper
English"? (Provide textual evidence.)
2. According to Orwell, how are images used in writing? (Also notice how does Orwell use images in this essay.)
3. Orwell offers a "modern translation" of Ecclesiastes in this essay. What is wrong with the modern translation? Provide ample examples.
4. Why is Orwell particularly interested in prose style? What might it mean to him?
5. What are the four main criticisms Orwell develops against modern writing? Provide an explanation and discuss the importance of each. How is each related to his professed aim in this essay?
6. How is this essay related to his final novel 1984?
7. At the end of the day, what seems to be the most important thing to Orwell? How do you know? (Provide ample textual evidence.)
8. What is problematic about the use of the word 'democracy' during Orwell's time? Elucidate. Is it still a problem?
9. Do some of the points an criticism made by Orwell overlap with what we have gone over in class? Explain.