Why Did George Orwell Return to Barcelona?

In the spring of 1937, George Orwell, the acclaimed British author of Animal Farm and 1984, returned to Barcelona after a brief stay in England. The Spanish Civil War was raging on, and Orwell had come to Spain as a volunteer to fight against the fascist regime led by General Francisco Franco.

The Political Climate in Spain

At that time, Spain was a politically polarized country divided between Republicans and Nationalists. The Republicans were left-wing liberals who opposed Franco’s dictatorial rule, while the Nationalists were right-wing conservatives who supported him. The war started in 1936 and quickly escalated into a brutal conflict that lasted for three years.

Orwell’s Motivation to Return

So why did George Orwell return to Barcelona? Orwell was not just a writer but also an ardent socialist who believed in fighting for justice and equality. He had joined the fight against Franco’s fascist regime out of a sense of moral duty and solidarity with the people of Spain.

Orwell had previously fought with the POUM (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista), a revolutionary Marxist party that had split from the Communist Party of Spain due to ideological differences. However, when he returned to Barcelona, he found that the political climate had changed dramatically.

The Political Turmoil in Barcelona

The Communist Party of Spain (PCE) had gained significant influence among Republican forces, and they saw POUM as their main rival. In May 1937, PCE launched an attack on POUM members in Barcelona which resulted in street battles and violent clashes between different factions.

Orwell was caught up in this political turmoil when he arrived in Barcelona. He witnessed first-hand how his comrades from POUM were being persecuted by Stalinist agents who accused them of being Trotskyist traitors. This experience left a deep impression on Orwell and influenced his later writings.

The Impact on Orwell’s Writing

Orwell’s experience in Barcelona had a profound impact on his writing. He wrote Homage to Catalonia, a memoir of his time in Spain, which vividly describes the political turmoil and violence he witnessed in Barcelona. In this book, Orwell criticized the Communist Party of Spain for their betrayal of the socialist cause and their willingness to collaborate with Stalinist agents.

Orwell’s time in Spain also influenced his later works such as Animal Farm and 1984, which are scathing critiques of totalitarianism and propaganda. His experience in Barcelona taught him the importance of political freedom and the dangers of ideological conformity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, George Orwell returned to Barcelona out of a sense of moral duty and solidarity with the people of Spain. However, he found himself caught up in a complex political situation that left a deep impression on him. His experience in Barcelona influenced his writing and shaped his ideas about politics and society.