Orwell: “It is possible to be a normal decent person and yet be fully alive.”
There’s a common script about about artists who live hard and die young. It says that the combination of a self-destructive lifestyle and art means that they were in some way fully alive, in a way that would be impossible, say, for some happily married husband and father, living in the suburbs and working as … Continue reading Orwell: “It is possible to be a normal decent person and yet be fully…
George Orwell once remarked, "It is possible to be a normal decent person and yet be fully alive." This statement is found in a book review he wrote in the New English Weekly on July 23, 1936. In the review, Orwell responds to a piece by Cyril Connolly titled "The Rock Pool" and "Almayer's Folly" by Joseph Conrad.
Orwell begins by acknowledging that modern mechanized life can become monotonous and oppressive, with money exerting a heavy grip on everyone. He then outlines three potential escapes from this dreariness. First, there's religion, which he sees as a possible way to cope. Second, there's unending work, which he believes can keep one engaged.
However, the third option is what Connolly seems to admire - a lifestyle characterized by indulgence and disregard for societal norms, such as sleeping late, drinking heavily, and living a seemingly carefree life.
Orwell concedes that this third option is the worst of the three, but he emphasizes a more important point: it's crucial to cling to the idea that normal decent people can still be fully alive. In our sensitive age, even using terms like "normal" and "decent" might be met with resistance. However, Orwell does not claim that only those who fit this description can live fully. Instead, he suggests that the concept of living fully in this way should be highly valued, like a lifebelt in a dangerous situation.
Orwell's point resonates even more in today's world, where many people seem to react negatively to the idea of normal decent people being fully alive. This sentiment appears to be particularly strong in the 21st century. Orwell's observation serves as a reminder that life is not restricted to a particular lifestyle or set of values. Rather, being fully alive can be achieved through various paths, including living a normal and decent life.
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