Orwell and Empire

Professor Priya Satia, Stanford University

This talk traces the evolution of Orwell's thought in an era of imperialism and anti-colonialism. Through an examination of Orwell's writing on empire, it traces the limits of his political imagination: the disabling assumption that struggles are the route to rather than the very experience of liberation. His socialist commitments and determination to divest himself of inherited prejudice did not free Orwell from the instrumental political logic of liberalism--the ideology that underwrote empire.

Priya Satia specializes in modern British and British empire history, especially in the Middle East and South Asia.

Professor Satia's talk is part of our online Critical Orwell conference 12-14 April.

• More details and how to register for the full conference.