ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
5
A STUDY OF CLASS IDENTITY AND SOCIAL CRITICISM IN GEORGE
ORWELL’S WORKS
Roʻziyeva Mehribon Gʻofurjonovna
Master ʼs of degree student
Faculty: Language and Literature English
Nordic International University
Email: mehribonruziyeva@gmail.com
Phone number: +99891-922-19-83
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15294314
Annotation:
This thesis investigates the themes of class identity and social
criticism in the works of George Orwell, focusing on major literary texts such as
Animal Farm, 1984, The Road to Wigan Pier, and Down and Out in Paris and
London. Orwell's representation of social structures, class divisions, and the
critique of political systems reflect his personal experiences and ideological
development. The study reveals that Orwell's work consistently challenges the
injustices of hierarchical societies and warns about the corruption inherent in
power. By employing political allegory, dystopian fiction, and realistic reporting,
Orwell provides a timeless critique of inequality and oppression.
Keywords
: George Orwell, class identity, social criticism, totalitarianism,
proletariat, revolution, dystopia, political allegory, power, inequality.
Introduction.
Literature has long served as a means to critique society, expose injustices,
and advocate for change. Among the most powerful literary voices of the
twentieth century, George Orwell stands out for his relentless focus on class
identity and social criticism. His works reflect a deep concern for the oppression
of the working class and the corruption of political power. Born into the lower-
upper-middle class, Orwell's personal experiences in colonial Burma, poverty in
Europe, and participation in the Spanish Civil War profoundly shaped his
worldview.
Orwell’s major works — Animal Farm, 1984, The Road to Wigan Pier, and
Down and Out in Paris and London — reveal a consistent thematic
preoccupation with social injustice and class dynamics. Through various literary
forms including allegory, dystopian fiction, and journalistic reportage, Orwell
explores how social structures perpetuate inequality and how political
ideologies, even when born of revolutionary ideals, often devolve into systems of
oppression.
This study aims to examine Orwell’s portrayal of class identity and his
critique of social and political systems. By analyzing his major texts within
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
6
historical and biographical contexts, the thesis will illustrate Orwell’s
commitment to exposing social inequalities and warning against the abuse of
power.
Methodology
The research methodology for this study is based on qualitative analysis,
focusing primarily on close textual reading and contextual interpretation. The
thesis utilizes a comparative approach, drawing connections between Orwell’s
life experiences and the thematic elements of his literature.
Primary sources include Orwell’s major texts: Animal Farm, 1984, The Road
to Wigan Pier, and Down and Out in Paris and London. Secondary sources such
as critical essays, scholarly articles, and biographies are consulted to provide a
deeper understanding of Orwell’s ideological positions and historical context.
The analysis is structured as follows:
Examination of Orwell’s personal and political background.
Study of class representation and stratification in selected works.
Identification of literary techniques Orwell employs for social criticism.
Discussion of the broader historical and political significance of Orwell’s
themes.
A Marxist critical framework is also employed to analyze Orwell’s depiction
of class struggles and power relations.
Results
Orwell’s formative years were spent navigating the complex social
hierarchy of Britain. His scholarship to Eton College exposed him to the
privileged elite, while his service in the Indian Imperial Police in Burma revealed
the injustices of colonialism. His subsequent experiences living among the poor
in London and Paris and his participation in the Spanish Civil War against fascist
forces further radicalized his political views. Orwell identified himself as a
democratic socialist but was deeply skeptical of authoritarianism in all its forms,
including that found within leftist movements. This skepticism permeates his
works, where he criticizes both capitalist exploitation and the corruption of
socialist ideals.
Down and Out in Paris and London (1933):
Orwell’s first full-length work
presents a raw depiction of poverty. Through personal anecdotes and vivid
description, Orwell illustrates how systemic economic structures dehumanize
the poor. He shows that poverty is not simply a financial condition but an
existential crisis that robs individuals of dignity and agency.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
7
The Road to Wigan Pier (1937):
Commissioned to report on the conditions
of the working class in Northern England, Orwell provides a detailed sociological
account of miners’ lives. He exposes the harsh realities of industrial labor,
malnutrition, and substandard housing. Furthermore, Orwell criticizes the
detachment of many middle-class socialists from the realities of working-class
life, emphasizing the need for authentic solidarity.
Animal Farm (1945):
An allegory of the Russian Revolution, Animal Farm
explores how revolutionary ideals are corrupted by power. The initial vision of
equality among animals is gradually replaced by a hierarchical system where the
pigs dominate. Orwell’s portrayal of the pigs' ascent to power serves as a stark
warning about the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the creation of new
oppressive classes.
1984 (1949):
In his dystopian masterpiece, Orwell imagines a future where
the state exercises total control over every aspect of life. Society is divided into
the Inner Party (elite), Outer Party (middle-class bureaucrats), and Proles
(working-class masses). The Proles, though numerically superior, are kept in
ignorance and poverty, rendering them politically irrelevant. Orwell’s portrayal
of class division and systemic oppression in 1984 is perhaps his most powerful
social criticism.
Discussion
Orwell’s works collectively demonstrate that class divisions are
perpetuated not merely through economic disparities but through systematic
control of information, education, and culture. In Animal Farm and 1984, the
ruling class manipulates language and history to maintain dominance,
preventing any meaningful rebellion. A central theme in Orwell’s social criticism
is the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. Whether through the pigs of Animal Farm
or the Party elites of 1984, Orwell illustrates how those who claim to liberate
often become oppressors themselves. His distrust of centralized power is a
consistent thread across his works. Orwell’s treatment of the working class is
nuanced. While he empathizes deeply with their struggles, he does not
romanticize them. He portrays the working class as human — capable of both
profound endurance and political apathy. This realistic portrayal underscores
Orwell’s belief that meaningful social change requires both awareness and active
resistance. The relevance of Orwell’s social criticism extends beyond his own
historical period. In the modern world, issues such as government surveillance,
economic inequality, and the manipulation of information echo the concerns
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
8
Orwell raised. Thus, Orwell’s work remains a vital touchstone for discussions of
power, class, and freedom.
Conclusion
George Orwell’s literature serves as a powerful and enduring critique of
class-based oppression and political corruption. Through his honest portrayals
and biting satire, Orwell challenges readers to question authority, recognize
systemic injustice, and advocate for genuine social change. His depiction of class
identity is informed by personal experience and a deep empathy for the
oppressed. Orwell’s works demonstrate that revolutionary rhetoric often masks
a struggle for power rather than a true desire for equality. His warnings against
authoritarianism and the manipulation of truth are more relevant today than
ever. This thesis concludes that Orwell’s commitment to social criticism and his
profound insights into class identity solidify his place as a pivotal figure in both
literature and political thought. His works encourage continuous vigilance
against the corrupting influence of power and the enduring structures of
inequality.
References:
1.Althusser, Louis. Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses. Monthly Review
Press, 1971.
2. Crick, Bernard. George Orwell: A Life. Penguin Books, 1980.
3. Orwell, George. 1984. 1949.
4. Orwell, George. Animal Farm. 1945.
5. Orwell, George. Down and Out in Paris and London. 1933.
6. Orwell, George. The Road to Wigan Pier. 1937.
7. Patai, Daphne. The Orwell Mystique: A Study in Male Ideology. University of
Massachusetts Press, 1984.
8. Rodden, John. The Politics of Literary Reputation: The Making and Claiming of
"St. George" Orwell. Oxford University Press, 1989.
9. Williams, Raymond. Culture and Society 1780-1950. Columbia University
Press, 1958.
