Orwell’s War: The Nightmare (1938-39)

About this episode

The episode explores George Orwell's responses to the events of the Second World War and his evolving political views.

Today’s episode is the first in a new series about how the greatest political writer of the 20th century tried – and failed – to make sense of the central political event of the century. How did George Orwell respond in real time to the epochal events of the Second World War and how do his struggles relate to the uncertainties of our own time? What did he get right, what did he get wrong and what did he fail to understand at all? How did a writer who had vigorously opposed the war before it started find himself defending it as soon as it was underway? Who or what did he really want to win? And what did Orwell believe was worse than fascism? Join us this Friday 17th April at the Regent Street Cinema in London for the second film in our new season: a screening of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut followed by a live podcast recording with David and director and campaigner Beeban Kidron. Tickets available now ⁠https://bit.ly/3O5rSEY⁠ And find details of all our upcoming film events here ⁠https://www.ppfideas.com/events⁠ You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes…

People in this episode

Host: David Runciman

Guest: Beeban Kidron

Topics covered

• George Orwell
• Second World War
• political writing
• historical analysis
• cultural commentary

Keywords

• Orwell
• Second World War
• political writer
• historical events
• cultural analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

Places: London

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