a hanging e28093 questions and analysis (1)

8/10/2019 A Hanging e28093 Questions and Analysis (1)

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A HANGINGGEORGEORWELL


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GEORGEORWELL- BIOGRAPHY

Eric Arthur Blair(25 June

1903 21 January 1950),better known by his pen nameGeorge Orwell, was an Englishauthor. His work is marked by aprofound consciousness ofsocial injustice, an intenseopposition to totalitarianism,and a passion for clarity inlanguage.

Considered perhaps the 20thcentury's best chronicler ofEnglish culture, he wrote works

in many different genresincluding novels, essays,polemic journalism, and poetry.His most famous works are thesatirical novelAnimal Farm(1945) and the dystopian novelNineteen Eighty-Four(1949).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GeoreOrwell.jpg


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A HANGING- CONTEXT

In the 1920s the south-east Asian country,

Burma, (now known asMyanmar) was part of

British Empire.

As a young man, GeorgeOrwell enlisted with the

Indian Imperial Policeand quickly attained therank of Assistant DistrictSuperintendent.


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A HANGING- CONTEXT

During his time as aBritish police officer in anAsian country, Orwellexperienced, first hand,the social inequalitiespresent in a country ruledby a foreign power.

These experiences wenton to inform much of hiswritten work including hisessay,A Hanging.

George Orwell


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SUMMARY- NOTE

A Hangingis a reflectionon one of the many judicial

executions witnessed by

Orwell in his official

capacity as a chief of

justice. Orwells detailed

observations of the

prisoner and the events

leading up to his eventual

death illuminate the banal

reality of death and

highlight his strong anti-

capital punishment

sentiments.


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WRITERSPURPOSE- NOTE

When producing a written piece of work all

writers will have a particular purpose in

mind which they wish to communicate to the

reader. InA Hanging,Orwell makes asocial commentabout capital

punishment.

Through his clever use of language

techniques such asimagery, symbolism,tone andword choice Orwell evokes the

readers sympathy for the prisoners plight.


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QUESTIONSPARAS1AND2

1. What evidence is there for the poor condition

of the prisoners?

For each quote explain, in as much detail as you

can, the reason for your choice.

2. Why do you think Orwell chose to include

such detailed description of the prisoners

conditions?


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SYMPATHYFORTHEPRISONER-

SETTING

The setting described in the opening lines of theessay immediately highlights the poor conditions inwhich the prisoners are kept.

A sickly light connotations ofprisoner

health small animal cages inhumaneconditions

ten feet by ten feet and was quite bare


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SYMPATHYFORTHEPRISONER

PHYSICALDESCRIPTION

squatting continues animal image

a puny wisp of a man suggests

malnourishment and neglect.

sprouting moustache, absurdly too big for hisbody. Comic image further emphasises the

prisonersfrailty.


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QUESTION

1. How does the description of the prisoner

compare with the descriptions of the guards in

paragraphs 2 and 4?

In what way does this comparison contribute to

the writers purpose?


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CONTRASTGUARDSANDPRISONER

The prison guards are described as;

tall Indian warders and one, in particular, as a fatDravidian

These descriptions of healthy, well-fed guardscontrast with the ill treatment of the prisoners .

In doing so Orwell stimulates the readers sympathywriters Purpose


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CANTHEPUNISHMENTEVER

FITTHECRIME?

For what crime is the prisoner being executed?


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CANTHEPUNISHMENTEVER

FITTHECRIME?

Orwell omitsto mention the prisoners crime as he

does not want the reader to make any judgement

about the whether or not the death penalty was

justified.

By focussing solely on the process of killing another

human being Orwell exposes the brutal reality of

capital punishmentwriters purpose.


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SYMBOLISMTHEDOG

Why do you think Orwell decided to include a

detailed description of the dogs appearance in the

prison yard?


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SYMBOLISM- NOTE

By noting that the dog goes directly to theprisoner instead of the officials Orwell usessymbolismto suggest that all people areequalregardless of their circumstances.

The reaction of the prison officials to theappearance of the dog demonstrates theirunderlying discomfortat having to take alifeEveryone stood aghast

This symbolisesOrwells further belief thatnot only is capital punishment wrong, it isalso against human nature to kill anotherperson.


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SYMBOLISMTHEPUDDLE

What does Orwell suggest in his description of the

prisoner avoiding a puddle while being led to the

gallows?


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SYMBOLISMTHEPUDDLE

Although the prisoner is being led to his death he

instinctively avoids a puddle in order to minimise his

discomfort; a seemingly futile action.

Symbolises human survival instinct and reiterates

Orwells belief that taking life is against human

nature.


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IRONY

One of the predominant tones throughout the essay

is irony.

For example, the prisoner dodging the puddle isironic because he is going to die anyway.

Find and quote 3-4 further examples of irony in the

essay. In each case explain howthese examplesrelate to purpose of the essay.

(look at paras 12, 14, 17, 18, 23 and 24)


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IRONY- NOTE

The hangman, a grey haired convict Theauthorities task the prisoners with killing otherprisoners - Passing burden of responsibilitytakinglife unnatural.

the same thought was in all our minds: oh, killhimquickly

Orwell appears to wantthe killing to happen eventhough he is against it. Indicates the discomfort ofeveryone in the vicinity.


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IRONY(CONT.)

Hes all right, said the superintendent

The prisoner is dead. Callous and uncaringstatementreader feels sympathy for the prisoner.

it seemed like quite a homely, jolly scene

An absurd sentiment indicating the relief of theofficials now that the execution had been

completed. What does this tell you about theirfeelings towards capital punishment?


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IRONY(CONT.)

My dear fellowthink of all the pain and

trouble you are causing us

Another callous statement directed at a

doomed prisoner. The resulting laughterfrom this anecdote indicates a lack of

compassion.

The light-hearted atmosphere,after the

killing, is a false emotionand acts as a

coping mechanismfor the men

emphasises inhumane practice.


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QUESTION

In paragraph 10 there is a change in tone where,for the first time, Orwell openlystates his opinionon the events he witnessed.

Find one phrase from this paragraph which

indicates Orwells reflection on the events. Find one phrase which clearly indicates Orwells

feelings.


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TONE - NOTE

It is curious Reflective tonewhere Orwell

goes on to describe his own feelings on the subject.

The unspeakable wrongness Franknessoftone leaves the reader in no doubt about his

opinion on capital punishment.


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QUESTION

In paragraphs 1 and 2 there are a number of

examples of figurative language (metaphor, simile,

personification etc.)

Quote 2-3 examples and in each case explain the

comparison being made and how this contributes to

the writers purpose.


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FIGURATIVELANGUAGE(CONT)

like small animal cages

Describes prisoners living conditions. Evokesreader sympathy.

it was like men handling a fish which is still alive

Continues comparison between prisoners andanimals. Highlights the helplessness of the prisoner

sympathy.


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FIGURATIVELANGUAGE(CONT)

the Indians had gone grey like bad coffee

Indicates the discomfortfelt by the guardsemphasises dehumanising effectof the execution

on the menOrwell suggests that everybody

involved in the execution is a victim.


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QUESTION

1. What is the purpose of the parenthesisin

paragraph 10? How does this contribute to the

writers purpose?


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SENTENCESTRUCTURE(CONT.)

The final two sentences of the essay are designed

for maximum impact.

We all had a drink together, native and European

alike, quite amicably. The dead man was a hundred

yards away.

Thejovial sceneof the penultimate sentence iscontrastedwith the nearby dead man.

The final sentence is a short statementwhichneatly summarisesOrwells message.

Upon finishing reading the essay the reader is leftto contemplate this vulgarsceneIMPACT

a hanging e28093 questions and analysis (1)

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