George Orwell s A Hanging Essay - 2293 Words

In any account written by an author, real or fake, there is always a deeper goal—whether it is to persuade, inform, or just simply entertain. There is always some meaning at its heart. Sometimes, however, messages become swayed and it becomes difficult to recognize the author’s intentions in writing. Sometimes his or her stance is unclear, however—though one side could be strongly argued. â€Å"A Hanging† by George Orwell is a prime example of this type of work, as the 1931 essay provokes thought on the issue of capital punishment. The story details an experience Orwell had during his work in Burma in which he was present for one prisoner’s execution. There is certainly conflict within Orwell for taking part in this event, and for being in relation to the functionaries responsible for carrying out the sentence. While Orwell does not make his belief on capital punishment clear, there is fair reason to argue that he is, in fact, an abolitionist. This is due to his possible usage of the prisoner to represent the inhumanity of the death sentence, an excitable dog portraying the event through the eyes of an innocent creature, and the irony of the workers’ humorous words in contrast to the stark sobriety of the day—however, Orwell’s supposed objective, though strong, also comes under scrutiny in its effectiveness. In order to address this piece and analyze its methods of intention, it is preferable to first provide a summary of its events so that a fluent discussion is allowed. TheShow MoreRelatedGeorge Orwell s Shooting An Elephant And A Hanging 860 Words   |  4 PagesIn George Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant and A Hanging. The setting of both the spots was in Burma, a nation in Asia. In A Hanging the setting was principally in a correctional facility while in Shooting an Elephant was in a Moulmein, in lower Burma where an Elephant went quiet . The Characters in A Hanging were for the most part a Hindu who was little whit no hair and obscure fluid eyes, additionally he had a thick, mustache which was humongous for his body. Additionally George OrwellRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s A Hanging 1765 Words   |  8 PagesUnder the pen name of George Orwell, Eric Arthur Blair writes an essay titled, â€Å"A Hanging,† to show how capital punishment is wrong. This essay is a past experience Orwell has been across. Orwell changes his view on capital punishment, who has the right to shorten someone’s life. Orwell witnesses a hanging of a Hindu man and realizes that it is inhumane and immoral to take a life away from someone. Although Orwell has helped with hangings in his past he realizes that capital punishment is wrong andRead MoreA Hanging By George Orwell799 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"A Hanging† by the visionary English writer, George Orwell, is a non- fiction prose. A Hanging is an account of Orwell’s experience of capital punishment. Orwellâ⠂¬â„¢s purpose of A Hanging is to evoke reader’s sympathy for the plight of the prisoner. This essay will discuss how Orwell’s account made the reader consider their views on the ongoing concern of capital punishment, through the use of effective language. The Autobiographical account is set in Burma during the 1920’s, when Orwell was stationedRead More Biography George Orwell Essay1135 Words   |  5 Pagesopinions like George Orwell. Orwell got to express his opinions in his writings. He wrote about the sociopolitical conditions of his time. For a man whose career started as a dishwasher, he came a long way to be known as the great author he is known as today. In this paper George Orwells early life, his variety of jobs before becoming a writer, his many successes and failures and some of his best known novels and critiques of them, and his sad death will all be discussed. George Orwell was born inRead MoreA Case Where Human Morality Hangs In The Balance. George1457 Words   |  6 PagesA Case where Human Morality hangs in the balance George Orwell, one of the most perceptive writers of his age, portrays the inherent wrong of capital punishment in his short prose work, â€Å"A Hanging†. More specifically, Orwell’s story relates a dramatic experience of the writer while he was working in the Indian Imperial Police in 1920’s colonial Burma. That’s why John Rodden figures out how depressed he was there as he mentioned, â€Å"after he returned from what lie called ‘five wastedRead More A Hanging and A Tell-Tale Heart1541 Words   |  7 PagesWithin a short story, there is usually an obstacle that the main character has to persevere through. Between the characters of the guard from George Orwell’s â€Å"A Hanging† and the servant from Edgar Allen Poe’s â€Å"A Tell-Tale Heart†, they both experience the act of taking another person’s life. The guard from â€Å"A Hanging† works at a prison in Burma where felons await execution. His job is to lead the convicted men to their doom and makes sure everything goes routinely and swift. While the servant fromRead MoreGeorge Orwell s 1984 And One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest1675 Words   |  7 Pagesboth 1984 and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Fear is used in both of these stories to discipline the domestic population and ends up being effective. These two novels are ran by totalitarian like structures. The characters are under a certain person s rule, creating the totalitarian government. In these societies, fear is used to gain power in these governments. The manipulation of fear is used in both 1984 and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in the manner of which the authoritarians control everyRead MoreSymbolism in 1984841 Words   |  4 PagesGeorge Orwell, in his dystopian novel 1984, includes many symbolic objects, themes, and characters. These symbols are important to a deeper understanding of the book and its purpose. The language in 1984 is symbolic of the Party s manipulation of its members. The development of Newspeak, although seeming to improve the civilization, depletes thought, creativity, and individualism in its speakers. This represents the Party s main goal of brainwashing and taking complete control. The termsRead MoreBurmese Days1142 Words   |  5 PagesRacism in Burmese Britain owned many colonies throughout the 1800’s including Burma. While the British were able to manufacturing raw materials from Burma until the early 1900’s, British Imperialism would forever influence the Burmese Natives. In George Orwell book â€Å"Burmese Days,† racism is one example of this British Imperialism influence. British Imperialism allowed the use of racism to influence the European Club members and British military. Some British authority used racism to diminish theRead MoreConformity And Love In George Orwells 19841344 Words   |  6 PagesConformity and Love in 1984 The ability to love is possibly one of the most recurring aspects of humanity. Everyday people fall in and out of love with each other s personalities, opinions and lifestyle choices. In his novel 1984, George Orwell depicts a dystopian, loveless society. The technology, newspeak, and doublethink force conformity on Oceania, the setting of the book. The lack of diversity in people creates a world, where there isn’t any reason to love anyone else. Family relationships