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

Nigel Williams

Ed. by Peter Childs, 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 (Newman University), Louise McDonald (Newman University)

Dates

First circulation or publication Feb 1941

Places

United Kingdom (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

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

Resources

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 …

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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://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35011, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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