An Analysis of George Orwell's Essay Why I Write
Kevin milone
Mrs. Cangelosi
11AP Language and Composition
October 4th, 2012
“Why I Write”
George Orwell and Joan Didion, in their essay, “Why I Write,” imply that writing has affected each author to abdicate adversity and to accept failure. Orwell and Didion support their implications by explaining how each author attempted to embrace the abstract ideas in writing, but learned to view themselves as mediocre writers, neither good nor bad, whose self-reflection in writing produced a solemn atmosphere. Their purpose is to educate the reader on relevant motives and authenticity associated with writing to help them conceive a profound piece of work through self-reflection. Both authors establish a formal but moderately depressing tone, appealing to young Americans who hope to become writers. George Orwell, in the essay, “Why I Write” utilizes the rhetorical strategy of explanation in order to effectively deliver his message to the attending audience. Orwell, at first, introduces a statement about his childhood and his ambitious goals to become an inspiring writer. Suffering from depression and solitude during his adolescent years, Orwell often constructed solemn pieces of literature in order to reflect upon his current lifestyle. This idea of self-reflection assisted Orwell in becoming an exalt writer. Through exemplification, Orwell introduced the “four great motives for writing.” Orwell reflects upon the subject of sheer egotism, arguing that writers often write to be remembered. The author further elaborates on this idea, stating that serious writers care more about personal self-reflection than making money. In the motive of aesthetic enthusiasm, Orwell views himself as a moderate writer, illustrating how writers make their writing sound and look good by appreciating the aesthetics. The author eventually provides an example for these motives, by appealing to the pathos in his Spanish-civil war poem, often
Mrs. Cangelosi
11AP Language and Composition
October 4th, 2012
“Why I Write”
George Orwell and Joan Didion, in their essay, “Why I Write,” imply that writing has affected each author to abdicate adversity and to accept failure. Orwell and Didion support their implications by explaining how each author attempted to embrace the abstract ideas in writing, but learned to view themselves as mediocre writers, neither good nor bad, whose self-reflection in writing produced a solemn atmosphere. Their purpose is to educate the reader on relevant motives and authenticity associated with writing to help them conceive a profound piece of work through self-reflection. Both authors establish a formal but moderately depressing tone, appealing to young Americans who hope to become writers. George Orwell, in the essay, “Why I Write” utilizes the rhetorical strategy of explanation in order to effectively deliver his message to the attending audience. Orwell, at first, introduces a statement about his childhood and his ambitious goals to become an inspiring writer. Suffering from depression and solitude during his adolescent years, Orwell often constructed solemn pieces of literature in order to reflect upon his current lifestyle. This idea of self-reflection assisted Orwell in becoming an exalt writer. Through exemplification, Orwell introduced the “four great motives for writing.” Orwell reflects upon the subject of sheer egotism, arguing that writers often write to be remembered. The author further elaborates on this idea, stating that serious writers care more about personal self-reflection than making money. In the motive of aesthetic enthusiasm, Orwell views himself as a moderate writer, illustrating how writers make their writing sound and look good by appreciating the aesthetics. The author eventually provides an example for these motives, by appealing to the pathos in his Spanish-civil war poem, often