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 past is whatever the records and the memories agree upon.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The past is shaped by collective memories and documented evidence.
This quote suggests that our understanding of the past is not merely an objective truth but is significantly influenced by both personal memories and official records. It emphasizes the idea that history can be subjective, as different interpretations and recollections can coexist and influence what we believe to be true about past events.
Themes
PastMemoryHistoryRecordsSubjectivity
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture about historical interpretation, one might cite this quote to highlight how history is often viewed through different lenses.
More from George Orwell
All quotes βThe 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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