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A Hanging

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About this listen

“One mind less, one world less.”

A Hanging (1931) is a stark, reflective essay drawn from Orwell’s time as a colonial officer in Burma. Witnessing the execution of an unnamed, condemned man, Orwell is struck by the quiet humanity of the prisoner—especially when he instinctively steps aside to avoid a puddle. This small act causes Orwell to reflect on what it means to execute someone when they are healthy and conscious, exposing the brutal absurdity of state-sanctioned death and the dehumanising machinery of empire.

Born Eric Arthur Blair, George Orwell (1903-1950) was a British novelist, essayist, and critic famous for his insightful social and political commentary. His personal engagement with real world issues imbues his work with a sense of social conscience that continues to resonate with readers, and his two most famous novels, Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Public Domain (P)2021 SNR Audio Politics & Government Social Sciences
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As someone who is fascenated with capital punishment, I really wanted to read this. Orwell paints the images so vividly, I felt like I was almost there too. The dog nearly made me cry, and it really made me think about all the innocent people who suffered the same fate in our country, prior to 1964. I am going to read the book about Ruth Ellis, too.

Incredibly sad and heavy

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