“The Age of Democracy” - “You and the Atomic Bomb”
Orwell expounds, “The great age of democracy and of national self-determination was the age of the musket and the rifle. After the invention of the flintlock, and before the invention of the percussion cap, the musket was a fairly efficient weapon, and at the same time so simple that it could be produced almost anywhere. Its combination of qualities made possible the success of the American and French revolutions, and made a popular insurrection a more serious business than it could be in our own day.” Weapons are crucial in the "age of democracy” for they permit nations to liberate themselves from subjugation. In the absence of weapons, revolutions would not have ensued; thus, colonialism would have transpired for long. Weapons are contributory in the fights for autonomy for they aid the revolutionaries to confront the enemies who are opposed to their self-determination. Therefore, weapons, are not absolutely bad, they have remedied situations which could have destroyed democracy forever.
The Imagery of Gandhi's Ideology - “Reflections On Gandhi”
Orwell explains, “At about the time when the autobiography first appeared I remember reading its opening chapters in the ill-printed pages of some Indian newspaper. They made a good impression on me, which Gandhi himself at that time, did not. The things that one associated with him — home-spun cloth, ‘soul forces’ and vegetarianism — were unappealing, and his medievalist programme was obviously not viable in a backward, starving, overpopulated country. It was also apparent that the British were making use of him, or thought they were making use of him. Strictly speaking, as a Nationalist, he was an enemy, but since in every crisis he would exert himself to prevent violence. " Gandhi's rhetoric depicts simplicity, humility and non-violence ( peace). However, his approach favours the British more than the Indians, for they hearten the suppressed Indians to put up with their oppression. His philosophy is not feasible or effective in redeeming the Indians from exploitation. Therefore, Gandhi benefits the British more than his people which his ideologies.
