Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Keep the Aspidistra Flying is a novel by English writer George Orwell, first published in 1936. The narrative follows the life of Gordon Comstock, a young poet who wages a bitter, self-destructive war against what he perceives as the worship of money in society. Set in the Great Depression-era London, the book serves as a critique of capitalism and explores themes of poverty, artistic integrity, and social conformity.

Plot summary

The protagonist, Gordon Comstock, abandons a promising career in advertising to work in a shabby bookshop for a meager wage, declaring himself in a "war against the money-god." He lives in a dismal boarding house in Ladbroke Grove and cultivates a life of deliberate poverty, much to the despair of his girlfriend, Rosemary Waterlow. His rebellion is symbolized by his hatred of the aspidistra, a hardy houseplant he sees as the ultimate emblem of middle-class respectability. Comstock's life spirals downward as he pawns his possessions, writes unsuccessful poetry, and alienates his few friends, including his more conventional patron, Philip Ravelston. After Rosemary becomes pregnant, Comstock is forced to confront the consequences of his idealism and ultimately surrenders, returning to his advertising job at the New Albion agency to secure a stable future, symbolized by his eventual purchase of an aspidistra.

Background and publication

Orwell wrote the novel between 1934 and 1935, drawing heavily on his own experiences with poverty in cities like London and Paris, which he would later detail in works like Down and Out in Paris and London. The title references a popular Victorian era song, and the aspidistra plant was a ubiquitous symbol of lower-middle-class endurance. The book was published by Victor Gollancz Ltd on 20 April 1936 as part of the Left Book Club selections, though Gollancz insisted on cuts to some passages he deemed offensive. Orwell's previous novel was A Clergyman's Daughter, and his next major work would be the non-fiction The Road to Wigan Pier.

Themes and analysis

The central theme is the conflict between artistic idealism and material necessity, critiquing the oppressive nature of a money-centric society. Comstock's revolt is portrayed as ultimately futile and self-pitying, a critique of romantic Bohemianism that fails to engage with real political struggle. The aspidistra serves as a complex symbol of both the stifling conformity of the bourgeoisie and a stubborn will to survive. The novel also explores themes of social shame, sexual frustration, and the commodification of art, prefiguring concerns Orwell would address more directly in later works like Nineteen Eighty-Four. Critics often view Comstock as a precursor to Winston Smith in his doomed rebellion against an all-encompassing system.

Reception and legacy

Initial reviews were mixed; some critics in publications like The Times Literary Supplement found the protagonist's cynicism excessive, while others praised its realistic depiction of London life. The novel was overshadowed by Orwell's subsequent politically urgent works like Homage to Catalonia and Animal Farm. However, it has since been re-evaluated as an essential part of Orwell's literary development, offering a nuanced psychological portrait of pre-war England. It remains a studied text for its insights into Orwell's attitudes towards class and his early narrative style, standing alongside his other novels of the 1930s such as Burmese Days.

Adaptations

The novel was adapted into a 1997 feature film entitled A Merry War, directed by Robert Bierman and starring Richard E. Grant as Gordon Comstock and Helena Bonham Carter as Rosemary. The film transposed the setting from the 1930s to the 1950s but retained the core plot and themes. A 1999 BBC radio dramatization was also produced, featuring Michael Maloney and Emma Fielding.

Category:1936 British novels Category:Novels by George Orwell Category:Left Book Club