If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
The birds sang, the proles sang. the Party did not sing. All round the world, in London and New York, in Africa and Brazil, and in the mysterious, forbidden lands beyond the frontiers, in the streets of Paris and Berlin, in the villages of the endless Russian plain, in the bazaars of China and Japan — everywhere stood the same solid unconquerable figure, made monstrous by work and childbearing, toiling from birth to death and still singing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the resilience and spirit of common people despite oppressive societal structures.
In this quote, George Orwell illustrates the enduring spirit of the proletariat, depicted as 'the birds' who continue to sing and voice their existence amidst the silent oppression of the authoritative 'Party.' It suggests that while the ruling powers may seek to suppress joy and expression, the basic human spirit remains vibrant and unyielding, as seen through the universal experience of workers across diverse cultures and landscapes, who toil yet still find a reason to sing.
Themes
ResilienceOppressionHuman SpiritProletariatWorkJoy
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about labor rights, one could use this quote to emphasize the resilience of workers.
More from George Orwell
All quotes →The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
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Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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