Introduction
George Orwell was one of the finest authors and political critics of the 20th century. Known for his famous satirical works Animal Farm and 1984, Orwell was galvanized by the fascist turmoils that defined the 1930s and '40s. As you research his life, think about how his experiences informed his writing.
Task
Use the following websites to answer the questions below:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Orwell
https://www.biography.com/writer/george-orwell
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/546150/facts-about-george-orwell
1. What is George Orwell's real name?
2. Where was he born?
3. What prep school did Orwell attend? How was he socially/economically different from the other boys?
4. After graduating from his boarding school, where did Orwell go? What was his job?
5. Define imperialism. Why was Orwell so strongly against it?
6. What did Orwell do after his time in Burma? How did this affect his writing?
7. What war did Orwell fight in? Why did he volunteer for it?
8. Define communism. How did Orwell's experiences in the war inform his opinion on this political ideology?
9. What circumstances led him away from the war?
10. What did Orwell do during the beginning of World War II (1941-43)? Why did he quit?
Evaluation
Exit Ticket/Homework:
Write a thesis/claim on how Orwell's past experiences formed his political beliefs.