George Orwell is undoubtedly one of the most insightful essayists in the realm of modern literary tradition. However, it is rather sad that of all his literary works, his essays have been left ignored--certainly in comparison to his dystopian novels. George Orwell was equipped with the acumen to entertain and invoke within his readers a deep sense of contemplation.
Many journals had a direct influence on the kind of essays that Orwell wrote. His essays, much like his other works, comprehensively challenged the political ethos that surrounded him, helping him design a distinctive and idiosyncratic narrative that is today considered very characteristic of his works. The political motif is prevalent in The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius, in which Orwell contemplates and puts forth the idea of a much needed socialist revolution since the prevalent class system has hindered the progress and triumph in the time of war.
Orwell's conscience and awareness of the political culture that surrounds him can be seen in Shooting an Elephant, where he extensively critiques and condemns British Imperialism and exposes the moral fallacy of being ambivalent to such an enterprise.
In Politics and the English Language, Orwell draws the connection between the fall in the standard of language and the rise and triumph of political dogma as it exists in his society. In this essay, he deconstructs the very language used in politics to understand the stagnation in the political ethos.
