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Read & answer two of the three questions below about the first 55 pages of “Down and Out in Paris and London” by George Orwell.
» What was Orwell’s purpose in including the descriptions and stories of our main character’s hotel neighbors? Was it affective?
» What rhetoric devices does Orwell use to show the condition of the slums in Paris?
» In the story thus far, our main character has found an old friend to help him, Boris. Is Boris more helpful or harmful to the main character? If you think he is more harmful, then why does our main character stay with him?
#1 Orwell’s Purpose for including other characters.
As a reader, maybe the experience of the main character is not enough. Although the main character’s encounter with poverty is substantial, the validity of his situation needs recognition. With both Ethos and Pathos, Orwell establishes his credibility with the experience of the other tenants while approaching an emotional standpoint by telling their individual stories. When Orwell included the personal struggle of the main character’s neighbors, he effectively involved the reader with the daily battle that a penniless individual experiences.
#2 The presence of Boris.
After getting to know the character Boris, one would have to say that he is most definitely harmful to the main character; however, Orwell stays with his unreliable friend no matter what the cost. Though Boris essentially delays progress, Orwell remains with him because he desires human company. For Orwell, the feeling of desolation would be far worse than being bankrupt and destitute.
#3 Boris: Helpful or Harmful?
Boris seemed to be more harmful to Orwell that helpful. Yet we see that Orwell stays with him because he is his one and only “true” “friend”. I think Boris is the only constant in Orwell’s life and therefore he needs him. Orwell never actually says but vaguely describes Boris as a person who has constant “get rich quick” schemes that are forever falling apart.
#1 Description of neighbors
Orwell describes his neighbors at such length because it is as if he wants to prove to the reader that he is not the only one in the slums and is not, by far, the worst. He pulls you in with ethos when he narrates the stories of his neighbors.
Orwell’s purpose in including descriptions of neighbors: He was describing his home. He was proud of it and Orwell was boasting his roots. So far, he seems to be the kind of person that completely ignores the negativity in a situation or he embraces it as blessing. Almost like someone that is in denial. For example, on pages 20-21 he describes the feelings supplied by poverty and the products of poverty. It was extremely affective. Aside from that bug problem, he created excitement in be about his crisis.
Boris, helpful or hurtful; why Orwell keeps him around: So far, I think that Boris has been more of a curse than a blessing. He is holding the main character back and soaking money that needs to be saved or at least spent more wisely. I haven’t made up my mind as to why the main character lets Boris stay. I think that either: 1) He hopes that when Boris is “healed,” he will remember his friend’s kindness and repay him, or 2) “misery loves company,” it must be harder to be impovershed when you’re alone than it is with a friend.