Why We Write: Orwell and Me

[Ron Price]

SENSITIVE HUMAN TENDERNESS

George Orwell saw four reasons for writing: sheer egotism, aesthetic enthusiasm, historical impulse and political purpose. -Robert L. Savage et al, The Orwellian Moment: Hindsight and Foresight In the Post-1984 World, The University of Arkansas Press, London, 1989, pp.1-2.

It’s not so much the lie I want to expose,
Eric1, but to define the kind of world I see
and want to see in all its beauty and historicity.
I would like to wed my energy, my art, to my
hermeneutics and sincerity. This evil time which
was your concern is not the same for me: a
darkness so obscure, a million myths and truth
hidden behind a thousand veils, in search of a
context, a perspective, a structure of freedom
for our Age, with a profound change in the
standard of public discussion with a judicious
exercise, an etiquette of expression that avoids
blight and causes the blossoms and flowers to
bloom with sensitive to human tenderness.

Ron Price
26 April 1997



1Eric Blair(1903-1950) had a pen name, George Orwell.

[richie]

Hi there Ron. I am a Tasmanian (ex L'ton) living in China and lecturing in 20th century literature at university. Prior to reading your post I was unaware of the Savage text. I have managed to track it down and plan to use it in future lessons. Thank you for mentioning it here.

[Ron Price]

thanks, I say, 2 and 1/2 years after your post. Apologies for my tardiness.-Ron