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
Comrades," he said, "here is a point that must be settled. The wild creatures, such as rats and rabbits–are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote. I propose this question to the meeting: Are rats comrades?" The vote was taken at once, and it was agreed by an overwhelming majority that rats were comrades. There were only four dissentients, the three dogs and the cat, who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote questions the nature of friendship and alliances in society.
In this quote, George Orwell explores the complexities of loyalty and betrayal within groups. The debate about whether rats, usually seen as pests, should be considered allies highlights the subjective nature of friendship and the often arbitrary distinctions that societies create about who is considered a friend or enemy. This absurdity mirrors real-world dynamics in political and social spheres, where allegiances can shift based on circumstantial perspectives.
Themes
FriendshipLoyaltyBetrayalSocietyAlliance
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom discussion about societal values and allegiances.
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.
George OrwellRead
It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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