This is CBSI in the world. I'm John Batch with Professor Peter Stansky of Stanford University.

His new book is The Socialist Patriot. These are revelations about George Orwell, aka Eric Blair.

The name George Orwell is a pseudonym chosen at the occasion of its first novel memoir,

Down and Out in London and Paris.

Between leaving Eaton in December of 21 and the publication in 1933 of Down and Out in London in Paris,

George Orwell spends five years in Burma as a representative, an official, an authority, an enforcer

of the empire. And in that time, he shaped opinions of the empire he was serving. And,

Professor, to call George Orwell an anti-imperialist, is that sufficient? Is that correct

about what was developing in Burma?

Yes, yes, I think it is.

I think what's exaggerated, or some people write that although return from Burma,

convince anti-imperialist. I think he had doubts.

Orwell's transitions are more gradual, I think, than people frequently you say.

He became increasingly anti-imperialist.

He came back having doubts about the empire, but I think his, much to his father's

disapproval, his decision to resign from the police force was partially driven by his doubts

about imperialism, but I think more important was he decided I want to be a writer.

I don't want to do this.

I want to have a different career.

And I think that was the major reason that he resigned from the service.

Forfeiting, you know, a future pension and an assured income with a very

uncertain income.

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