January 21 - The Prophet of Big Brother: George Orwell’s Last Day
The Power and Responsibility of Words
This is the day George Orwell, British author of the dystopian masterpieces "1984" and "Animal Farm," died in London in 1950.
In today's lesson, we will explore how George Orwell's insights about language manipulation connect to our Christian responsibility in wielding words. What happens when we recognize language as a divine gift? How can we ensure our words bring life rather than death in an age of digital communication?
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." - James 3:9-10 (NIV)
This Date in History
Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, drew his final breath in University College Hospital, London. At just 46 years old, tuberculosis claimed the life of one of the 20th century's most influential writers. His masterwork "1984" had been published just months earlier, and "Animal Farm" had already established him as a piercing critic of totalitarianism.
Born into what he called the "lower-upper-middle class," Orwell's journey to literary prominence was marked by deliberate choices to experience life's harsh realities. After attending Eton on a scholarship, he chose to become a colonial police officer in Burma rather than attend university. This experience sparked his lifelong commitment to fighting injustice and speaking truth to power.
His early works drew from his experiences living among the poor and working class. "Down and Out in Paris and London" chronicled his voluntary poverty, while "The Road to Wigan Pier" exposed the brutal conditions of mining communities. These experiences shaped his democratic socialist views and his dedication to clear, honest writing.
The Spanish Civil War proved pivotal in Orwell's development. Fighting against Franco's fascists, he took a bullet through the throat and witnessed how propaganda could distort reality – themes that would later dominate his most famous works. "Animal Farm" (1945) and "1984" (1949) warned of totalitarianism's dangers through allegory and chilling prophecy.
Despite his worsening tuberculosis, Orwell worked feverishly to complete "1984" while living on the remote Scottish island of Jura. The effort likely hastened his decline, but he considered the message too important to delay. His death came just after arranging his second marriage to Sonia Brownell, who would become instrumental in preserving his legacy.
Orwell's personal life was marked by both tragedy and resilience. His first marriage to Eileen O'Shaughnessy in 1936 ended in heartbreak when she died during a routine surgery in 1945. They had adopted a son, Richard Blair, in 1944, but never had biological children. Orwell's second marriage to Sonia Brownell, just months before his death, was seen by some as a practical arrangement to ensure his literary legacy would be protected. Sonia indeed proved a fierce guardian of his work, though she struggled with financial difficulties and died in 1980, never remarrying.
The impact of Orwell's final works would far exceed his lifetime. "Animal Farm" became an immediate success upon its 1945 publication, particularly in the United States where its anti-Soviet message resonated during the early Cold War. "1984" initially sold moderately well, but sales exploded in the 1950s as the book became recognized as a powerful warning about totalitarianism. Both works quickly entered school curricula across the English-speaking world, with "Animal Farm" often introduced to middle school students as an allegory about power and corruption, while "1984" became standard reading for high school students grappling with themes of surveillance, propaganda, and individual freedom.
The enduring relevance of Orwell's work has only grown with time. Terms he invented or popularized – "Big Brother," "thoughtcrime," "doublethink," "Orwellian" – have become part of everyday language. By the 1980s, both books had sold millions of copies worldwide and been adapted multiple times for film and television. Together, they established Orwell not just as a novelist but as a prophet of the modern age, warning future generations about the fragility of truth and freedom in an increasingly complex world.
Historical Context
The late 1940s marked a period of intense ideological conflict as the Cold War began taking shape. The Soviet Union's iron grip on Eastern Europe, combined with the recent memory of Nazi Germany, created widespread fear about totalitarianism's spread. Meanwhile, rapid technological advances raised concerns about government surveillance and control of information.
Orwell's final years coincided with significant shifts in global power dynamics. The Chinese Communist Revolution in 1949, the Soviet Union's first nuclear test, and the formation of NATO all occurred while he was writing "1984." These events influenced public consciousness about political control and the manipulation of truth, themes that resonated deeply with readers of his final works.
Did You Know?
Orwell's birth name, Eric Arthur Blair, was rarely used in his adult life. Over time, "George Orwell" became so closely associated with him that few people knew his real name was Blair.
During his time in Burma, Orwell had several tattoos done on his knuckles, a highly unusual practice for a British colonial officer of that era.
The term "Room 101," now used to describe something particularly unpleasant, originated from Orwell's "1984" and was based on a conference room at the BBC where he had to sit through tedious meetings.
Before his death, Orwell created a list of suspected Communist sympathizers for the British government's Information Research Department, showing his complex relationship with political ideology.
"Animal Farm" was initially rejected by several publishers, including T.S. Eliot at Faber & Faber, because they feared it would offend Britain's Soviet allies.
Orwell's son, Richard Blair, was adopted in 1944 and never knew his adoptive father as a healthy man, as tuberculosis had already taken hold.
Today’s Reflection
In 1946, while struggling with the tuberculosis that would soon claim his life, George Orwell wrote "Politics and the English Language." In it, he argued that the corruption of language leads to the corruption of thought. This insight later fueled the creation of "Newspeak" in 1984, a language crafted to make complex moral thought impossible. Orwell's critique of political manipulation touches on a deeper spiritual truth: the profound responsibility we bear in how we use the gift of language.
Our capacity for language is a reflection of being created in God's image. God spoke the world into existence, and He entrusted us with a powerful, creative force in words. Like all divine gifts, language can be used for good or evil. "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be" James 3:9-10 (NIV). This contradiction should stop us in our tracks. How can we lift praises to God while degrading those who reflect His image?
The power of words goes far beyond Orwell's political concerns. When we speak, we take part in creation itself. "The tongue has the power of life and death" Proverbs 18:21 (NIV). Words can nurture hope or sow despair, build unity or divide, illuminate truth or obscure it. In our digital age, where a single tweet or post can ripple across the world, the stakes have only grown. Every careless word has the potential to encourage or wound in ways we may never fully realize.
In Orwell's 1984, Newspeak was designed to eliminate the ability to express dissent or contemplate morality. Similarly, in our time, language is often twisted to obscure truth or hide agendas. We call sin "personal choice," disguise gossip as "sharing concerns," and justify hurtful speech as "hard truths." Each subtle shift pulls us further from God's reality. Over time, this misuse of language dulls our spiritual discernment, much like Newspeak made certain truths unthinkable.
But God calls us to something better. "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" Proverbs 16:24 (NIV). When our words align with God's truth, they become instruments of healing, restoration, and life. Speaking truth with clarity and grace is an act of love. It doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations. Even Orwell's relentless honesty shows us that clear, intentional words can challenge and uplift. For Christians, it means ensuring that everything we say builds up rather than tears down.
Today, the challenge is to be as intentional with our words as Orwell was in exposing their misuse. Every word we speak or write reflects either God's character or something else entirely. In a world of harsh posts, angry comments, and divisive rhetoric, Christians have an opportunity to stand out. We can demonstrate a different way of speaking that honors both God and the people He created.
Orwell spent his final strength warning about the power of language to enslave. As followers of Christ, we have a greater calling: to use our words as God intended — to bring light, life, and hope to a world longing for truth and grace.
Practical Application
Take time today to examine your digital footprint – your social media posts, comments, and online interactions. Review your recent communications and evaluate whether they align with God's purpose for language. Choose one platform where you frequently engage and commit to making it a space where your words consistently build up others and reflect biblical truth. Consider creating personal guidelines for online communication that prioritize clarity, kindness, and truth-telling while avoiding the subtle language shifts that can compromise your witness.
THIS IS THE DAY Last Year
January 21 - Agatha Christie and the Detective
We explored the unrelenting pursuit of truth, drawing inspiration from Agatha Christie's iconic detective, Hercule Poirot. How do life's mysteries mirror our spiritual quest? What can Poirot's journey teach us about our search for divine understanding?
Closing Prayer
Gracious Father, we thank You for the gift of language and its power to shape hearts and minds. We are humbled by the responsibility You have given us as bearers of Your image to use words in ways that bring life and truth to our world. Forgive us for the times we have used this gift carelessly or destructively. Help us to be more intentional with our words, whether spoken or written, that they might always reflect Your character and bring glory to Your name. Guide us in using our voice to strengthen faith, encourage others, and speak truth in love. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Final Thoughts
Like Orwell's prophetic warning about the manipulation of language, we face a daily choice in how we wield the power of words. Our digital age amplifies both the opportunity and responsibility to use language as God intended. When we align our speech with divine truth and purpose, our words become instruments of grace that can transform lives and point others to Christ.
Author’s Notes
Around this time last year, we discussed the power of words to curse (January 20). It wasn’t the only time we talked about the power of words. We’ve talked about the destructive power words can have if not used well (July 11), the power of words in shaping culture (April 14), the power of words in the public sphere (March 4), and even the power of words to help enact change (June 12). The truth is words are powerful. Words matter. We live in a day and age where gaslighting (May 4) is a common occurrence - something Orwell predicted long ago. As Christians, we have a responsibility to choose our words well and guard our tongues.
In 2019, my son Truett was just six years old and on the third day of the 1st grade in the new school year. He got in trouble. The teacher told me he threw dirt on his “friend.” So, we had a talk about it.
JASON: Why did you throw dirt on your friend?
TRUETT: He's not my friend. He said he's invincible, but he's not.
JASON: That doesn't matter. Those are just words. We know that words can't hurt you if you don't let them, right?
TRUETT: Well, he said he's invincible, but he's not. (Matter of factly) I only had to throw dirt in his eyes, and he cried.
While Truett’s six-year-old reasoning was slightly flawed, it also demonstrates a lesson for us today. Lies and false words only work if they are never confronted with the truth.
This devotional is free to read. You can support this publication by becoming a subscriber, upgrading to paid subscriber status, liking (❤️) this post, commenting, and/or sharing this post with anyone who might enjoy it. You can also make a ONE-TIME DONATION in any amount. Thank you for your support!
Words absolutely have power, both positive and negative. I am continually abhorred by the vulgar culture in which we now live. It makes it difficult to find and watch modern movies and television. The apostle Paul said this in Ephesians 4:29, "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
Incredibly interesting. Read both books in high school but didn't know much about the author. Thank you, Jason, for telling the story and again making it relevant to our lives today!