The Perspective on the Lower Class in George Orwell's Translated Literature

Abstract

This study examines George Orwell's portrayal of the lower class through an analysis of seven translated works: three non-fiction books (Down and Out in Paris and London, Homage to Catalonia, and Selected Essays) and four novels (Burmese Days, A Clergyman's Daughter, Animal Farm, and 1984). The research reveals Orwell's nuanced depiction of the lower class in both colonial and Western contexts, highlighting their strengths and limitations. In colonial settings, the lower class is characterized by generosity but also cunning and a lack of foresight. In Western societies, Orwell portrays them as generous and industrious, while also exhibiting traits such as cunning, short-sightedness, lack of discipline, and arrogance. This analysis provides insights into Orwell's complex understanding of class dynamics across different societal structures.