Orwell's Life
What year was George Orwell born in?
1903
How many sisters did George Orwell have?
2
How many wives did Orwell have?
When did George Orwell die?
21 January 1950
What was the name of the poem he wrote at the age or 4/5?
Tiger
True or False?
George Orwell attended a prestigious boarding school in England as a scholarship student.
True
True or False:
Orwell's family was part of the upper-middle-class.
False.
Orwell grew up LOWER-middle-class.
Name Orwell's two wives.
Eileen O'Shaughnessy and Sonia Brownell
(1 point each name)
What was the cause of his death?
A hemorrhage in his lungs (complication of his illness - tuberculosis)
What was his first professional publication?
A poem he wrote about WWI (Awake! Young Men of England)
What was his occupation following his schooling?
Policeman (1 Point)
British Imperial Policeman in Burma (2 Points)
What were the names of Orwell's sisters?
Avril and Marjorie
(1 point each name)
True or False:
Orwell's biological son is named Richard Horatio Blair
False.
Richard is Orwell's adopted son.
What book did he write while in the hospital?
1984
Give an example mentioned of a personal experience he had that further inspired him to become a writer.
His experiences as a police officer in Burma.
Fill in the blanks:
The rise of dictators (eg. Hitler and Stalin) further sparked his hatred for _________ and ________ ___________.
totalitarianism and political authority
(1 point each term)
Name one of Orwell's parents
Richard Walmesley Blair and Ida Mabel Blair
How did his first wife (Eileen) die?
Heart failure
What was the name of the wife that comforted him during his final moments?
Sonia (Brownell)
True or False:
He went through a period in his life where he tried to abandon the idea of become a writer.
True
Orwell lived among the coal miners in northern England. This made him come to the conclusion that he wished to support what politcal system?
Democratic socialism
What is Orwell's mother's nationality?
French
Name one of the impacts his wife Sonia had on his writing.
Literary connections and legacy (kept his literary legacy alive)
Emotional influence (her presence comforted him, underscoring themes evident in his later works)
What is the name of the hospital he was admitted to?
University College Hospital London
Why were these first interactions significant for his future career? (State one reason)
Skill development - Early exposure and practice allowed him to develop technical skills and narrative style.
Confidence and identity - Early recognition helped build his confidence and solidify his identity as a writer.
Foundation for themes - Personal experiences and observations are reflected in his writing.