A Hanging – George Orwell

George Orwell - Biography

• Eric Arthur Blair (25 June
1903 – 21 January 1950), better
known by his pen name George
Orwell, was an English author.
His work is marked by a
profound consciousness of social
injustice, an intense opposition
to totalitarianism, and a passion
for clarity in language.

• Considered perhaps the 20th

century's best chronicler of
English culture, he wrote works
in many different genres
including novels, essays, polemic
journalism, and poetry. His most
famous works are the satirical
novel Animal Farm (1945) and
the dystopian novel Nineteen
Eighty-Four (1949).
A Hanging - Context

 In the 1920’s the south-

east Asian country,
Burma, (now known as
Myanmar) was part of
British Empire.

 As a young man, George

Orwell enlisted with the
Indian Imperial Police
and quickly attained the
rank of Assistant District
Superintendent.
A Hanging - Context

 During his time as a British

police officer in an Asian
country, Orwell experienced, George Orwell
first hand, the social
inequalities present in a
country ruled by a foreign
power.

 These experiences went on to

inform much of his written
work including his essay, A
Hanging.
Summary - Note
• A Hanging is a reflection on
one of the many judicial
executions witnessed by
Orwell in his official capacity as
a chief of justice.
• Orwell’s detailed observations
of the prisoner and the events
leading up to his eventual
death illuminate the banal
reality of death and highlight
his strong anti-capital
punishment sentiments.
 Writer’s Purpose - Note

• When producing a written piece of work all writers

will have a particular purpose in mind which they
wish to communicate to the reader. In A Hanging,
Orwell makes a social comment about capital
punishment.
• Through his clever use of language techniques such
as imagery, symbolism, tone and word choice
Orwell evokes the reader’s sympathy for the
prisoner’s plight.
• Orwell paints a wonderfully intense picture of the man condemned to
death, the jailers walking away, and the dog's unpredictable actions amidst
the solemn occasion.
• The execution's formality allows the participants to automatically and
thoughtlessly conduct their business.
• The condemned man's automatic action of side-stepping the puddle,
important to one's own continuing comfort later in the day, makes Orwell
begin to think about the difference between being alive and being dead,
and the horror of what is being done in killing the man. He is alive, his
toenails are growing, his blood is pumping, yet he avoids wetting his feet in
that moment while in the next moment he will be dead, gone from the
world.
• Ultimately, Orwell contemplates how tradition and ritual prevent
participants from thinking about their actions. Such ideas resonate through
Orwell's writing through to Nineteen Eighty-Four.
 Questions – Paras 1 and 2

1. What evidence is there for the poor condition of the prisoners?

For each quote explain, in as much detail as you can, the reason
for your choice.

2. Why do you think Orwell chose to include such detailed

description of the prisoner’s conditions?
Sympathy for the Prisoner - Setting
• The setting described in the opening lines of the essay immediately
highlights the poor conditions in which the prisoners are kept.
• “A sickly light…” – connotations of prisoner health
• “small animal cages” – inhumane conditions
• “ten feet by ten feet and was quite bare”
 Sympathy for the Prisoner –
Physical Description
• “squatting” – continues animal image
• “a puny wisp of a man” – suggests malnourishment and neglect.
• “sprouting moustache, absurdly too big for his body” - comic image
further emphasises the prisoner’s frailty.
 Question

1. How does the description of the prisoner compare with the

descriptions of the guards in paragraphs 2 and 4?

In what way does this comparison contribute to the writer’s

purpose?
 Contrast – Guards and Prisoner

• The prison guards are described as “tall Indian warders” and one, in
particular, as a “fat Dravidian”
• These descriptions of healthy, well-fed guards contrast with the ill
treatment of the prisoners .
• In doing so Orwell stimulates the reader’s sympathy for the prisoners,
who seem so frail and vulnerable in comparison – writer’s purpose.
 Can the Punishment Ever
Fit the Crime?
For what crime is the prisoner being executed?

• Orwell omits to mention the prisoner’s crime as he does not want

the reader to make any judgement about the whether or not the
death penalty was justified.
• By focussing solely on the process of killing another human being
Orwell exposes the brutal reality of capital punishment – writer’s
purpose.
Symbolism – The Dog

Why do you think Orwell decided to include a detailed description of the

dog’s appearance in the prison yard?

• By noting that the dog goes directly to the prisoner instead of the officials
Orwell uses symbolism to suggest that all people are equal regardless of
their circumstances.

• The reaction of the prison officials to the appearance of the dog

demonstrates their underlying discomfort at having to take a life –
“Everyone stood aghast…”

• This symbolises Orwell’s further belief that not only is capital punishment
wrong, it is also against human nature to kill another person.
 Symbolism – The Puddle

What does Orwell suggest in his description of the prisoner avoiding

a puddle while being led to the gallows?

• Although the prisoner is being led to his death he instinctively avoids

a puddle in order to minimise his discomfort; a seemingly futile
action.

• Symbolises human survival instinct and reiterates Orwell’s belief that

taking life is against human nature.
 Questions on ‘A Hanging’
1) See paragraph 2. What impression do you get of the prisoner?
2) How does this compare to the impression you get from the warders who guard
him?
3) What techniques are used by Orwell in this paragraph and what do you think
Orwell’s purpose is in using them?
4) In paragraph 3-5, what impression do you get of:
a) the superintendent b) Francis the head jailer.
Consider their attitude towards the proceedings and their character.
5) What is interesting about the structure of paragraphs 1 -7?
6) Look at paragraph 6. What is unusual/interesting about the ideas and structure of
the sentence:
“Two warders marched on either side of the prisoner, with their rifles at the slope; two
others marched close against him, gripping him by arm and shoulder, as though at
once pushing and supporting him”.
7) Look at paragraph 6. Write down three words or phrases that describe the
behaviour of the dog. What impression does Orwell give of it and what is his purpose
in doing so?
8) Look at paragraph 7. What is ironic about the phrase “bloody brute”?
9) Why do you think the incident with the dog is so upsetting for the characters and
for the reader?
10) Look at how paragraphs 6, 9 & 11 begin. Can you see any similarities? Why has
Orwell structured his writing this way?
 Answers

1) See paragraph 2. What impression do you get of the

prisoner?
Pathetic/defenceless/feel sympathy/comic so non-
threatening.

2) How does this compare to the impression you get from the
warders who guard him?
Aggressive/Threatening/Many of them/Contrasts with the
prisoner.
3) What techniques are used by Orwell in this paragraph and what do
you think Orwell’s purpose is in using them?

• Characterisation – contrast prisoner with warders – in order to make

you feel that their actions are wrong and unjustified.
• Figurative language – emphasise above.
• Oxymoron “careful, caressing grip” – ironic to pretend to care
considering what they will do to the man.

4) In paragraph 3-5, what impression do you get of:

a) the superintendent.
b) Francis the head jailer.
Consider their attitude towards the proceedings and their
character.
A) Superintendent – severe, serious figure. Not likeable. Like an army
sergeant – discipline, order - in order to cope with his job.
B) Francis – Comical figure (accent) “bubbled” etc. Not likeable –
seems sycophantic. Official phrases – order – ritual.
5) What is interesting about the structure of the first seven paragraphs?

• Paragraph 5 & 7 very short stand alone lines. Both seem to highlight
the attitude of those in charge (job/ritual) and cruelty.
• Each step of the proceedings made clear at beginning of paragraphs to
emphasise the stages of the proceedings – the journey to the gallows.

6) Look at P6. What is unusual/interesting about the ideas and

structure of the sentence:
“Two warders marched on either side of the prisoner, with their rifles at the slope; two
others marched close against him, gripping him by arm and shoulder, as though at once
pushing and supporting him”.
Long sentence to emphasise the number of warders restraining the
prisoner and the number of ways they do this. Emphasises impending
violence/threatening atmosphere.
 Characterisation
Consider Orwell’s description of the prisoner and his wardens. What
impression do you get of this man compared to the men who guard him?

• One prisoner had been brought out of his cell. He was a Hindu, a puny wisp
of a man, with a shaven head and vague liquid eyes. He had a thick,
sprouting moustache, absurdly too big for his body, rather like the
moustache of a comic man on the films [. . .] But he stood quite unresisting,
yielding his arms limply to the ropes, as though he hardly noticed what was
happening.

• Six tall Indian warders were guarding him and getting him ready for the
gallows. Two of them stood by with rifles and fixed bayonets, while the
others handcuffed him, passed a chain through his handcuffs and fixed it to
their belts, and lashed his arms tight to his sides.
 Notes

• “puny wisp of a man” – weak, skinny, unable to defend himself.

• “vague liquid eyes” – sadness, confusion.
• “too big for his body, rather like the moustache of a comic man on the
films” – not at all threatening. Small body – child-like.
• “quite unresisting” – passive acceptance.
• “limply” – weak and resigned to his fate.

JUXTAPOSED with the wardens (Juxtaposition)

• Many of them. Tall, where prisoner is tiny.

• They carry weapons where he is defenceless.
• “lashed his arms tightly” – violence and force where prisoner is weak
and passive.
 Narrative Structure
• The focus of the essay is the prisoner’s walk to the gallows. Orwell
repeatedly mentions the gallows and how the distance decreases.

• The effect is to convey the increasing sense of tension as the prisoner’s

execution approaches.

• This concentration on the gallows throws Orwell’s thoughts on killing the

prisoner into sharp focus.

• The incident with the dog is probably an ironic device. Its intrusion delays
the prisoner’s execution. However, more importantly, we compare the
dog’s horror of what happens to the authorities’ cruel detachment. That a
mere dog seems shocked that human beings could act in such a way shows
these humans’ lack of morals and sensitivity.
 Irony
Orwell uses irony as an indictment of capital punishment.

• The dog’s reaction is just one example of irony.

• Another is, as the prisoner cries out, Orwell wishes the man
was dead so he could no longer witness such a disturbing
scene.
 Irony

• One of the predominant tones throughout the essay is irony.

• For example, the prisoner dodging the puddle is ironic

because he is going to die anyway.

Task
Find and underline 3-4 further examples of irony in the essay.
In each case explain how these examples relate to purpose of
the essay.
Look at paras 12, 14, 17, 18, 23 and 24
 Irony - Note

“The hangman, a grey haired convict…”

• The authorities task the prisoners with killing other prisoners
• Passing burden of responsibility – taking life unnatural.

“the same thought was in all our minds: oh, kill him quickly…”
• Orwell appears to want the killing to happen even though he is
against it.
• Indicates the discomfort of everyone in the vicinity.
 Irony (cont.)

“He’s all right, said the superintendent”

• The prisoner is far from alright: he’s dead.
• Callous and uncaring statement – reader feels sympathy for the
prisoner.

“it seemed like quite a homely, jolly scene”

• An absurd sentiment indicating the relief of the officials now that the
execution had been completed.
• What does this tell you about their feelings towards capital
punishment?
 Irony (cont.)

“My dear fellow…think of all the pain and trouble you are
causing us”
• One of the prison staff recalls an incident when a prisoner
had to be forced to go to the gallows. This is a serious and
gruesome anecdote and yet the officials laugh, which
indicates a lack of compassion.
• The light-hearted atmosphere, after the killing, is a false
emotion and acts as a coping mechanism for the men –
emphasises inhumane practice, and how dehumanising it
can for those who carry it out.
 Irony

What is the purpose of the parenthesis in paragraph 10? How does

this contribute to the writer’s purpose?

• The parenthesis contains a list of bodily functions - “bowels digesting

food, skin renewing itself, nails growing, tissues forming”
• Orwell’s reflection on the prisoner’s muscles, nails, and tissue
conveys the idea that we all presume that life goes on. Here, the
prisoner’s body is renewing itself yet the man himself will be dead
within seconds.
• This reminds the reader that the prisoner is a healthy human being
who is not ready to die.
• Very poignant reflection; it is unnatural to cut “a life short when it is
in full tide”.
 Theme

• Orwell’s reflection is not part of the narrative. When Orwell

thinks about the morality of killing someone, it acts as an
insertion rather than part of the story of what happened.
• Orwell uses many verbs to stress the continuous nature of
action: walking, seeing, hearing, understanding...
• In contrast, death is conveyed as being abrupt and
deliberate:
“with a sudden snap” – use of onomatopoeia, sibilance
• The enormity of what is lost, a man’s life, is stressed by the
phrase “one mind less, one world less” - parallel structure
 Theme

11) When does the passage alter in tone, with

Orwell’s personal thoughts on the hanging becoming
defined?

12) Obviously, Orwell is against the death penalty.

What are his main objections?

13) What are we told (or not told) about the prisoner
which makes the reader feel sympathy for him?
 Climax
• Orwell uses delayed revelation or climax. The hanging is
delayed by the intrusion of the dog and the time given for
the prisoner to pray to his god.

14) What is the effect of both incidents? Do they add or

lessen the sense of tension?
 Climax
• Another feature is the end of the essay - it does not end with the
actual hanging.
• The officials’ grisly anecdotes about past executions are ironic:
“We reasoned with him.. ”think of all the trouble you are causing
us”.
• These stories being inappropriate are slightly humorous. This
reflects the easing of tension in the men after the execution.
• The mundane (feeding the prisoners) continues. Life goes on (the
officials have a drink) in contrast with the sudden end to the
prisoner’s life.

15) How does the last line highlight this juxtaposition?

 Understatement - Litotes
• Orwell’s use of understatement (or litotes) to describe awful
events is so shocking it is almost comic.
• At the beginning the superintendent refers to the execution
as “this job”.
16) What is Orwell trying to stress about the official and the
effect that such work has had on him?

The same official’s response to the prisoner’s death is even

more shocking.
17) As with the description of the horrific anecdotes, what
point is Orwell making about those who deal with
executions?
 Question

In paragraph 10 there is a change in tone where, for the first time,

Orwell openly states his opinion on the events he witnessed.
• Find one phrase from this paragraph which indicates Orwell’s
reflection on the events.
• Find one phrase which clearly indicates Orwell’s feelings.
 Tone - Note

• “It is curious…” – reflective tone where Orwell goes on to describe

his own feelings on the subject.

• “The unspeakable wrongness…” – frankness of tone leaves the

reader in no doubt about his opinion on capital punishment.
 Question

• In paragraphs 1 and 2 there are a number of examples of figurative

language (metaphor, simile, personification etc.)
• Quote 2-3 examples and in each case explain the comparison being
made and how this contributes to the writer’s purpose.
 Figurative Language (cont…)

“…like small animal cages…”

• Describes prisoners’ living conditions.
• Evokes reader sympathy.

“it was like men handling a fish which is still alive…”

• Continues comparison between prisoners and animals.
• Highlights the helplessness of the prisoner – sympathy.
Figurative Language (cont…)

“the Indians had gone grey like bad coffee…”

• Indicates the discomfort felt by the guards – emphasises

dehumanising effect of the execution on the men.
• Orwell suggests that everybody involved in the execution is a victim.
Sentence Structure (cont.)

• The line, “one mind less, one world less” is an example of a rhetorical
device called ANAPHORA

• This involves the repetition of one or more words at the beginning of

two or more balanced clauses.

• Designed to make a point more memorable.

Anaphora - Note

• OTHER FAMOUS EXAMPLES?

• “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”

• By ending the paragraph with the line, “one mind less, one world
less”, Orwell emphasises that the prisoner is a living human being
who is, not yet, ready to die – writer’s purpose.
 Sentence Structure (cont.)
The final two sentences of the essay are designed for maximum
impact.

“We all had a drink together, native and European alike, quite
amicably. The dead man was a hundred yards away.”

• The jovial scene of the penultimate sentence is contrasted with

the nearby dead man.
• The final sentence is a short statement which neatly summarises
Orwell’s message.
• Upon finishing reading the essay the reader is left to contemplate
this vulgar scene – IMPACT
 The Task
Choose a novel or a short story or a work of non-fiction which
deals with an important issue or theme.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the issue or
theme is explored.

Detail Understatement
Style Irony
Setting Climax
Structure Theme
Characterisation Language
 Structuring the Essay

There are two different ways to organise/structure your essay.

1) Writing about a different technique in each paragraph.

2) Writing a paragraph about each significant part of the text and the
techniques used for each.
 Paragraph Plan
Thesis/overall argument: Orwell explores the issue of the
immorality of capital punishment, and the impact it has on
those who encounter it.

Key parts of the text (on which to write a paragraph):

• Setting at the beginning.
• Characterisation at beginning.
• The incident with the dog (delaying climax – tension).
• The puddle (author’s epiphany) variety of techniques – v
emotive.
• The hanging itself (mention structure – tension).
• The officials’ behaviour afterwards/the end.
Introduction
• TART – Title, Author, Refer to Task
• Briefly summarise essay
• Outline points
 Sample Essay

‘A Hanging’ by George Orwell is a provocative essay within which

the writer explores the cruelty and wider impact of capital
punishment. Orwell gives a poignant and emotive description of
a hanging he witnessed in 1920’s Burma while working in the
police and the effect this horrific event had on his opinion of
Capital Punishment. Orwell’s use of detail, style and setting
effectively portray the immorality of such severe punishment, as
well as explore the effect such work has on the officials who
must carry out this most awful of tasks.
 Structuring Paragraphs
• Your topic sentence should make a clear Point that relates to your question.
This may include the techniques used by Orwell to explore this theme/issue.
• You must not simply tell a bit of the story – this is not a point!

• Evidence
• Remember to provide context of quotation: make it clear which part of the
essay you are referring to (who/where etc).
• Quotation: Choose one that allows you to analyse as many techniques as
possible. Not one that you could simply explain in your own words.

• Evaluation: Wring that quotation dry! Link your analysis of the quotation to
the task. This should form the bulk of your paragraph.
Paragraph 1

• Opening
• The essay begins with a negative description of the setting
which instantly has an impact on the reader, emphasises
how immoral this punishment is.
• Setting – pathetic fallacy
• Animal cages
The opening lines of Orwell’s essay immediately depict a vivid image of the setting,
which foreshadows the awful conclusion and creates sympathy for the prisoners. I
the opening lines, Orwell uses pathetic fallacy to create a sense of the bleak,
depressing prison:
“It was Burma, a sodden morning of the rains. A sickly light, like yellow tinfoil, was
slanting over the high walls into the jail yard.”
The mood of these lines is very fitting to the events which will later take place: a
horrible, miserable day on which a gut-wrenching, macabre task will be carried out.
The word “sickly” suggests not only the notion of decay, but also the idea of
something being ill or wrong. Moreover, this use of pathetic fallacy is symbolic of
sadness, foreboding, and imminent tragedy, all of which is apparent here. This
contributes greatly to the mood of this particular essay, and the tragedy contained
within it. Orwell’s exploration of the immorality of capital punishment is also
noticeable for the first time in the opening of the essay, when we are given a
description of the prison’s cramped and crowded conditions:
“We were waiting outside the condemned cells, a row of sheds fronted with double
bars, like small animal cages.”
Words such as “high walls” and “jail yard” are used to make it clear that Orwell’s
essay is set in a high security jail, again re-iterating the restriction and foreboding of
the prison. As well as this, the imagery used to describe the conditions the prisoners
are kept in show us that they are essentially treated as animals, dehumanised,
emphasising the cruelty they experience, and increasing our sympathy for them.
Paragraph 2

• Opening
• Juxtaposition – description of guards vs. prisoner
• Understatement – guard mentioning “this job”, desensitised
Paragraph 3

• Dog incident; delays to hanging

• Orwell structures the narrative of this essay in order to
delay the hanging and therefore create tension for the
reader.
• Ironic device – humans’ lack of morals
• Repetition of “the gallows”; decreases as essay progresses
• Prisoner praying to his god - delayed revelation/climax
Orwell introduces an anecdote involving a dog in paragraph six,
an ironic insertion into the action of the essay:
“It came bounding among us with a loud volley of barks…
before anyone could stop it, it had made a dash for the
prisoner, and jumping up tried to lick his face.”
The dog is ecstatic to come across this large group of humans
for in its experience, humans represent fun. The dog is
completely oblivious to the fact that it has intruded upon the
most grave of situations. It has ironically come upon a group
who are about to engage in the ritualistic killing of one of its
members. Orwell’s point of view seems particularly clear when
he describes the prisoner’s last gasp attempt at maintaining his
dignity:
“And once, in spite of the men who gripped him by each
shoulder, he stepped slightly aside to avoid a puddle on his
path”
The harsh reality of the heart-breaking situation is evident: the
man is going to lose his life, yet he retains enough dignity and
pride to take the kind of precautions that any other person
would when avoiding puddles.
Paragraph 4

• Puddle Incident
• Orwell’s personal feelings on Capital Punishment soon
become apparent when the prisoner encounters a puddle
on his way to the gallows and at this point I found the essay
to be particularly provocative.
• Tone changes
• Wrong, unnatural, enormity of action
• Ironic contrast – does not want prisoner to die but wants
hanging to be over.
It is during his description of the man’s final walk to the gallows that
Orwell reaches an epiphany, realising how terribly wrong this type
of punishment is:
“When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I saw the
mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting short a man’s life
when it is in full tide”.
The word choice of “unspeakable” conveys Orwell’s depth of
feeling, suggesting that to commit such an act should not even be
spoken of, never mind carried out. He also rails against how
unnatural it is, killing a healthy man in “full tide” of his life. Orwell
underlines this point further, emphasising that this execution is
against nature :
“All the organs of his body were working – bowels digesting food,
skin renewing itself, nails growing, tissues forming.”
Orwell’s list of the functioning parts of the man’s body suggests he
is frantically attempting to find out all the reasons why the prisoner
should be allowed to live, thus further emphasising what he sees as
the immorality of this punishment.
The tone of “A Hanging” undergoes a drastic change following
the incident with puddle. The opening of the essay includes
factual, objective descriptions of the prison and its prisoners.
However, as the essay develops, and indeed by it sense of
finality, a highly personal tone has been adopted. Orwell has
clearly been touched by the progressing events, which is clear
in the alteration of his tone.
Paragraph 5

• After the Hanging

• The fact that Orwell does not end his essay with the
hanging but instead chooses to focus on the almost jolly
reactions of those involved, is something which provoked a
strong reaction in the reader.
• Understatement of guard. Immune to reality?
• Inappropriate anecdotes
• Juxtaposition: death and ‘life goes on’
Another most interesting aspect of Orwell’s essay is the extent to
which it continues after the hanging itself. The anecdotes which
follow the hanging are unexpected, out of place and certainly in bad
taste. However, the anecdotes also seem highly ironic and due to
their distastefulness, slightly humorous. This is particularly true of
the story concerning Francis, and the “troublesome” prisoner who
struggled to avoid being executed:
“We reasoned with him…”
Given the situation in hand, the use of the word “reason” seems
highly inappropriate and therefore slightly humorous. This humour
appears to reflect the easing of the considerable tension which has
built up throughout the process of the execution. This is also
extremely important within the context of the essay. Orwell’s use of
numerous verbs: “seeing”, “feeling” and “walking” emphasise the
continuous nature of action:
“In two minutes, with a sudden snap, one of us would be gone.”
The suddenness of the prisoner’s death is described in a particularly
saddening way: the man’s life is over, yet those around him
continue to laugh and joke.
Similarly, Orwell uses understatement in such and apparently
unfeeling way that it is almost comical:
“He’s all right,” said the superintendent”
Orwell attempts here to show the dehumanising which occurs
when one takes part in the killing of another person. Through
his use of understatement, he is forcing us to share his view on
the “essential wrongness of taking another human being’s life”.
 Conclusion
• You must clearly explain EACH STAGE of the development of Orwell’s views on
this issue. Explain which technique was used at each stage.

e.g.
• Through the setting Orwell shows the vulnerability of the prisoners about to face
execution…
• When Orwell writes about his first observation of the prisoner and the way he is
treated, his characterisation suggests that he is beginning to see the wrongness
in the authorities, who have a duty of care, executing a human being…
• Orwell’s criticism of capital punishment become more solidified when [puddle]. . .
The reader feels…
• The way Orwell describes the hanging itself through powerful imagery makes us…
• The powerful and disturbing ending of the essay…
• Overall, ‘A Hanging’ is a… essay which makes the reader contemplate…
Conclusion

• TRY NOT TO BEGIN WITH: In conclusion/To conclude…

• ‘A Hanging’ is undoubtedly a provocative essay which I
believe Orwell has carefully constructed in order to make a
great impact on the reader. From the essay’s opening with a
negative description of setting, through the building tension
as the prisoner makes his way to the gallows, to the guards’
reactions after the prisoner has been hanged, we are left in
no doubt about Orwell’s views on the immorality of capital
punishment. By the end of the essay, the reader feels that it
has such an impact on us that we too share Orwell’s views.