George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius

Nigel Williams

Ed. by Peter Childs, Birmingham Newman University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

First circulation or publication Feb 1941

Places

United Kingdom (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Commentary / criticism
Non-Fiction
- Essay / Lecture (literary)

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One of Orwell’s most ambitious, powerful and polemic essays, “The Lion and the Unicorn” was first published in war-time Britain in February 1941. The essay subdivides into three parts, namely “England Your England”, in which Orwell holds up a metaphorical mirror to the English zeitgeist, a central chapter entitled “Shopkeepers at War”, and, finally, “The English Revolution”, in which Orwell outlines his manifesto for the overthrow of both fascism and capitalism by English Socialism.

Subjective in tone and uplifting in nature, the opening chapter of “The Lion and the Unicorn” (written shortly after the British army’s ignominious retreat from Dunkirk) unashamedly seeks to restore some pride in England’s tattered reputation as a world Imperial power. With an

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2099 words

Citation: Williams, Nigel. "The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 October 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35011, accessed 27 November 2024.]

George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius

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