George Orwell 6: What's in Room 101? 1984 Part 2

Secret Life of Books

Content provided by Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole, Sophie Gee, and Jonty Claypole. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole, Sophie Gee, and Jonty Claypole or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

25d ago 55:49

MP3•Episode home

As Shakespeare almost wrote: Orwell That Ends Well. While our six-part series on George Orwell comes to a triumphant end, Orwell’s life - alas - did not. He died too young and deeply pessimistic about the future of the world.

In this last episode, Sophie and Jonty look at the bright side of life in Airstrip One, speculate what really lies within Room 101, and - REFORMATION ALERT - take a deep dive into the possible influence of 16th Century theological revolution on Winston Smith’s life (and betrayal).

Finally, we step away from 1984 to reflect on this Orwell series as a whole: how do we feel about Orwell now, knowing what we do about his life, his triumphs and failures, and the controversy surrounding his treatment of his wife and women in general?

Books referenced, quoted, or mentioned:

Orwell: The New Life (2023) by DJ Taylor

WIFEDOM (2023) by Anna Funder

The Ministry of Truth: A Biography of George Orwell’s 1984 (2021) by Dorian Lynskey

Essays by George Orwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56 episodes

#Arts #History #Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole #Jonty Claypole #Sophie Gee #Literature #Authors #Great Books #Writers #Novels #Books #Podcasting Education #Classical