I have chosen to write about George Orwell’s essay ‘Why I Write’, because it gave the possibility to learn more about the writer’s motives for writing. The essay that includes some ironic and comic statements shows his way of becoming a writer, influences on his way of writing, and conditions that made him writer.
G. Orwell claims that he knew he should be a writer from the very early age. His early literary ambitions were mixed up with the feeling of being isolated and undervalued, because of not feeling father’s support and being not popular throughout his schooldays. He created his imaginary world where he ‘could get his own back for his failure in everyday life.’ This world, where he imagined himself as Robin Hood or a hero of thrilling adventures, was the first step of becoming writer. As he grew up, the attitude toward his life and literary activities became more realistic, although writer considers his early creations to be failures. His ironical attitude to his creative work let him to escape from being self-centred and perfect his style of writing.
The early development of each writer is very important to realize a writer’ motives, because the first experience has a great influence. However, sometimes the first experience can stay the only one, if a young writer do not has success or support. G. Orwell suggests four great motives for writing, and he claims that they exist in different degrees in every writer. They are sheer egoism, aesthetic enthusiasm, historical impulse, and political purpose.
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