Essay Questions

Why is Gordon secretly envious of Ravelston?

The two men are friends - genuine friends, although the majority of the nice things done in friendship tend to come from Ravelston, who is instrumental in getting some of Gordon's poems published in book form, and who also publishes some of his work in his periodical even though his writing is not particularly outstanding. To be fair to Gordon, he doesn't know that the only reason his poems were published is Ravelston and his contacts, and he would probably despise Ravelston if he found out. Gordon resents Ravelston because he does not need to work for a living - he basically leads the life that Gordon feels he is entitled to. A few generations ago, Gordon's family were wealthy, just like Ravelston's, but unlike Ravelston's family, his frittered through all their money, and are now forced to work for a living, like the majority of the population. That Ravelson has the life to which Gordon feels entitled is what makes him jealous of his friend, despite the generosity that Ravelston shows him.

How does Gordon and his life mirror Orwell and his?

This novel is actually rather allegorical, because of the number of similarities between the two men. Prior to writing the book, Orwell lived in a tiny little flat and worked in a bookshop part time so that he would have time for the rest of the day for his writing. Like Gordon, he had a rich upper-class friend who purported to be a staunch socialist but who had no idea of the trials and tribulations of everyday people; Orwell was deeply resentful that although he had some articles and essays published, and was become quite successful as a writer, he earned in one year what his friend brought in in a month Whilst he appreciated his friend's help, he felt irked that he had a great deal of money for doing no job in particular.

He also draws upon his experiences "courting" his girlfriends in the suburb of Burnham Beeches, where Gordon takes Rosemary for the afternoon. On many occasions Orwell found it financially difficult to treat his lady friends in the manner he would like, and Gordon is unable to afford a pint of beer in a country pub without borrowing money from Ravelston. Although Orwell was not in poverty on purpose, like Gordon, he nonetheless experienced a lack of money that made him resentful of those who seemed to have an easier path through life because of their position in society. This makes him "share" Gordon's resentment of the upper classes.