George Orwell was one of the most brilliant writer, essayist, journalist, poet and critic of the 20th Century. He is mainly known for his works like 1984 and Animal Farm. But it was not the only book he wrote over his illustrious career. Keep The Aspidistra Flying By George Orwell was published on 20th April 1936 and is one of the most underrated Orwell’s works. So, let’s look and dive into this piece of literature and critically analyse the significant context and message of the book.
A Brief Summary Of Keep The Aspidistra Flying By George Orwell
Keep The Aspidistra Flying follows the story of Gordon and his struggles to find his place in the world that he despises. He was a failed poet who wanted to make something out of his work but was not able to finish his work. Also, his anti-capitalist and money ideology stands in the way of living an everyday life. The love of his life, Rosemary, his friend Ravelston, and his sister Julia wanted him to work for the betterment of life, but his stubborn values are against it. However, when Rosemary got pregnant, Gordon decided to fight his ego and surrender himself to the ways of the world to live an ordinary life.
Living In Tough Times
Gordon was a talented writer who quit his excellent job to live according to his anti-money philosophy. But he paid a great price as his financial and living conditions deteriorated over the years. However, this did not impact him since he was living according to his beliefs. This made him stuck in a continuous downfall—a sort of abyss that he enjoyed falling into.
The Concept Of Money And Prosperous Life
Money has been a prominent topic in Orwell’s work. Being a socialist he was always thinking about the different classes of the society. And this is clearly reflected in his work where he indulges in challenging his vision with the parameters of the time. Thus, Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell bridges the dependency on money in ordinary life.
An Ordinary Life
Life is difficult for people, and money offers the solution to most of those problems. However, Gordon’s vision is different. He believed that money is the root cause of every major problem. That’s why he defied being bound in the chains of worshipping money and rejected the so-called ordinary life. However, he was defeated when he realised that he needed money for the people he cared about.
Final Thoughts: Keep The Aspidistra Flying By George Orwell
Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell is one of his best works. In it, he challenges his own philosophical ideas. Plus, it is set in a romantic setting, which makes the stakes a lot higher and mundane when talking about ordinary people. So, if you have enjoyed Orwell’s work before, this book will not disappoint you.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
What does keep the aspidistra flying mean?
Keep the Aspidistra Flying is a book by George Orwell that challenges the worshipping of money in modern society.
Who is the main character in Keep the Aspidistra Flying?
Gordon is the main character in Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
What plants are associated with George Orwell 1936?
Aspidistra is the plant in Orwell’s 1936 work.
