Comparing The Works Of George Orwell, James Baldwin, And Joan Didion

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People write without even realizing. Every step a person takes is another step towards securing a future. When the pen meets the paper a writer is making history, it just depends on how they want to tell the world. By analyzing author's style and purpose, the reader can make a deeper connection with the author. George Orwell, James Baldwin, and Joan Didion are perfect examples of writers that can move a country with just a word, their use of imagery and personal examples are truly masterpieces. But when compared to each other… A whole new world is imaginable.
What is common in both George Orwell’s writing and Joan Didion’s is the use of imagery and theme in author’s craft. Both essayist use imagery and theme to widen the view for the reader …show more content…

As seen throughout “A Letter from Harlem”, James takes a position for not only him but the people in harlem by clearly stated multiple times “Negros want to be treated like men”. This purpose also continues onto saying he doesn't want his children to live like he did in Harlem. By James reflecting back to his house and how now it is replaced by housing projects, the reader is able to see James’ purpose and wanting a change with how he wants everyone to be treated equally. In contrast, Joan Didion lived “by all objective accounts a ‘normal’ and a ‘happy’ family situation”. Throughout her book she resurfaces her past accounts of memories that flood the heart and brain with joy. The purpose for her writing is to connect with the reader who has had similarly experiences and show just how important family and a place called home can really be. Therefore, by contrasting the purpose of these essays we as the reader can see two different point of views from two different scopes of life. This is important because by knowing the origin, purpose, and where someone comes from, the reader can relate on a personal level and truly understand the struggles of one’s life and the joy from …show more content…

In the book “Shooting of a Elephant”, Orwell is constantly being harassed by the locals on and off duty as a cop on the streets of Burma.Orwell writes this book to show the truth about how corrupt is. For example, his last line of the book states “I often wondered whether any of the others gasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool.” By this statement we can see George did not want to shoot the elephant, but instead was pressured by the people and wished to have his reputation not stoop any lower than it was. This compares to the purpose of James Baldwin book “Stranger in the Village” by showing the truth about imperialism and racism. In his book, Baldwin is also constantly getting harassed by the locals but what is different is some of the locals don't realize what they are saying. Still, James sheds light on the truth how African Americans are treated differently based on their skin. He sheds light on how imperialism caused the people to act this way due to white people controlling their village while many of the villagers never actually go out in the world. Therefore, these two essays compare by exposing the truth that others may not see or hear

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