A poor writer as addict (symbol)
Throughout "Politics and the English Language," Orwell refers to poor use of language as a vice, implying that the one who uses language poorly acts as an addict, dependent on the bad habits of poor language, returning to those habits and having their thinking determined by those habits. Early in the essay he compares the use of poor language to drunkenness. The user of poor language would then naturally be the drunk. The symbol of the addict not only implies an inebriated, slurred, sloppy quality to poor political writing, but it also suggest that the political writer is in some way weak willed, unable to get a handle on their habits. Using the symbol of the addict, Orwell says that the cycle of poor thinking-poor writing can be broken; in this way he seems to suggest that all that's needed is some strength of spirit or will power.
Language as an instrument (symbol)
The concept of language as an instrument is placed in the introduction of the essay, but the symbol isn't developed through the remainder of the piece—at least not explicitly. Orwell calls language an "instrument" when he's refuting the idea of language as a "natural growth," but he doesn't explain what kind of instrument he means. It might be argued, however, that the essay that follows presents a complex and evolving explanation of this symbol. Without describing some device, he develops an idea of an instrument incomparable to any other type. If we run with the idea, the combined examples of his essay would reveal language to be a rare and unique instrument with a variety of effects. If used poorly, it can cause the user to continue to use it poorly. If used well, it can liberate and enlighten the user and others and, it seems, its uses and effects can continue to evolve.
